Sounds awesome! I love the jig pole, even a small bass seems huge...can only imagine what a 6 pounder is like.
Check out this bait for perch:
http://www.northlandtackle.com/Category/main.taf?cat=158&pc=231
I like those a lot. Also, the Rapala jigging Shad Rap or any small grub type bait. Sometimes if you tip them with spikes, mousies or waxworms it will increase your catch. I usually drop them to the bottom and then bring it up a few feet and jig it with short up and downs, so it just shakes in the water.