This article is produced in partnership with Rapala
No matter where in the UK you live, chances are you’re not a million miles from a river, canal or stillwater that holds a population of perch.
With their bold black stripes and needle-sharp dorsal fin, they’re an aggressive species that put up a solid scrap – especially when they run to over the 2lb mark.
Autumn and winter are by far the best times to target big perch and, while trotting or legering lobworms continues to be a popular tactic for these predators, many anglers are now taking up lure fishing to improve their chances of catching a real specimen.
Lure fishing is all about taking minimal gear to the bank. That way, you can stay mobile and keep in touch with your quarry.
To kick-start your autumn perch campaign, we’ve compiled a list of essential items that will put you on the path to lure fishing success!
Lure Rod - Okuma Psycho Perch, 2g-12g, 7ft 7ins
As the name suggests, Okuma’s Psycho Perch range has been developed specifically for perch fishing. The rods have a ‘fast’ action, which means they will bend most in the upper third of the blank to help with sensitivity and bite indication. A fast rod ultimately helps keep a tight line between your tip and lure, ensuring you’ll be able to feel every tap or bite, whether it’s from a 2oz ‘wasp’ or a 3lb specimen!
They are incredibly lightweight as well, and a breeze to carry all day on the bank.
Reel - Okuma ITX 2500
A balanced set-up is essential for anglers on the move, which makes the Okuma ITX 2500 the perfect pairing for the above mentioned rod.
It’s very light, thanks to the use of C-40X carbon technology and, with 7+1 high performance bearings, it’s one of the smoothest lure reels on the market.
The multi-disc, carbon fibre drag system is a dream to use, and won’t let you down when you hook into a really big perch.
Braid Mainline - Sufix 832
Braid is important in lure fishing because it doesn’t stretch. This enhances bite indication and means you’ll be able to strike at even the slightest of plucks in the depths of winter.
There are plenty of types on the market, but a smooth braid with brilliant abrasion resistance and a low diameter is important when perch fishing. Sufix’s 832 in 0.08mm ticks all the boxes in this respect, and is one of the best in its field when it comes to abrasion resistance. Perch love to hide in and around structure, so having a braid like this gives you extra confidence that you’ll be able to land every fish that you hook.
Fluorocarbon Leader - Sufix Advance FC, 4lb - 8lb
Typically, a 1ft-2ft section of fluorocarbon is tied between your braided mainline and lure when lure fishing for perch, as it’s practically invisible underwater.
Sufix’s Advance FCcomes supplied on handy 50m or 91m spools, has excellent abrasion resistance, and knots effortlessly.
For perch, choose a breaking strain between 4lb and 8lb, depending on the ground you’re fishing over and the size of fish you’re targeting. There are many tutorials on YouTube that will show you how best to tie fluorocarbon leaders to braid.
Jig Heads - VMC Bullet Jigs
A jig head is essentially a weighted ball with a wire ring at one end for tying your line to and a hook at the other. You then thread your chosen rubber lure onto the hook section. The VMC Bullet Jigs come in 2g, 6g and 8g weights and in 2, 1/0 and 3/0 hook sizes to match up with the size of lure you’re using. These jig heads also come supplied with an additional wire keeper that help keep your lure securely in place.
Lure Clip - VMC Area Clip
You can easily tie your fluorocarbon leader directly to the eye of your jighead although, if you want to change your lure or jighead weight you will have to cut your line and retie it. But by tying your line directly to a VMC Area Clip, you can attach and detach lures effortlessly without the need for retying each time you want to make a change.
Luggage - Rapala Urban Backpack
Because you’ll be on the move, you’re going to need a lightweight backpack with enough room for your tackle, lures, food and a drink. Enter then the Rapala Urban Backpack!
It has a 25-litre capacity and even has a padded back pocket that can be fitted with a two-litre hydration bladder.
Landing Net - Rapala Karbon Jetty Net
Perch love holding features such as lock gates on rivers or jetties, which sometimes can only be reached from a high wall. Which means if you do hook one, landing it can be awkward. Say hello to the Rapala Karbon Jetty Net. It has a compact 8-piece carbon telescopic handle that extends to an impressive 3m, making it easy to reach any hooked fish.
Essential Lures
Rapala Crush City Kickman
A typical fry imitation lure made from a soft, scented and salted rubber. As the name suggests, the Kickman has a tight-kicking paddle tail that perch can’t resist. Available in 7.5cm, 10cm and 12.5cm sizes but it’s the first two you’ll want for perch. Simply mount on a VMC Bullet Jig for the best results.
Rapala Crush City Ned BLT
The Ned Rig is one of the most effective lures for catching perch. Rapala’s Ned BLT is made from a buoyant TPE material and stands up off the bottom when mounted on a jighead. Twitch this lure across the deck to stir up the dirt and silt... and wait for your rod tip to smash over!
Blue Fox Vibrax Spinners
A lure that’s as old as the hills but still incredibly effective for stripeys! The rotating blade reflects sunlight and in turn, entices perch into attacking it. Simply clip it on, cast it out and retrieve – it’s that easy!
Rapala Jointed Shad Rap
A plastic, jointed version of Rapala’s legendary Shad Rap that sends out a loud and clear signal of distress to perch. Its jointed tail section creates a slightly exaggerated action which helps to trigger strikes. This lure also comes supplied with a long, deep diving bib which helps the lure reach a target depth that can’t always be achieved effectively with a jig.
Rapala Crush City Cleanup Craw
Crayfish are now common in many waters across the UK and perch love eating them. The CleanUp Craw imitates a crayfish perfectly and will help catch you the largest of specimens in the depths of winter.