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Conquer the canal with lures for pike and perch

Get the perfect quick fishing fix by targeting perch, zander and pike from the towpath

by James Furness |

Updated on3rd December 2025 at 6.24am

If you’re looking for some really exciting fishing this autumn, why not take a look at lure fishing on your local canals?

These man-made venues hold a number of predatory species and, these days you’re probably just as likely to see someone flicking lures around for perch, pike and zander as you are to see an angler sat on a seatbox!

If you have only limited time to get a fishing ‘fix’, then these venues are ideal. One rod, a net, a small bag of bits and some unhooking gear is all you need to enjoy an hour or two’s exciting sport.

While canals are often our closest venues, these tactics can also be used on rivers and stillwaters, and they work right through the season, so why not get out and explore?

IF YOU HAVE NEVER TRIED LURE FISHING, CHECK OUT THIS BEGINNERS GUIDE...

Gear for canal lure fishing

You don’t need to spend a fortune to get set up for canal lure fishing. Choose a fast-actioned rod around 7ft long, with a 1g-5g rating. Match this with a 2000-sized fixed-spool reel loaded with 10lb braid.

The lack of stretch in braid is important if you are to see, feel and strike at what are often only tentative bites.

THE BEST SPINNING REELS HAVE HIGH RETRIEVE RATES FOR LURES.

Tactics and temperature

Lure fishing is anything but complicated, despite what many anglers think. The most important factor to take into account is water temperature.

The colder the water, the closer to the bottom and the slower the lures need to be fished, and this influences the tactics we use. There are four main ones, so let’s have a look at how and when to use each.

Crankbaits

Shallow 4cm-long crankbaits that dive around 1m down can be very effective and simple to fish with.

These mid-water lures can be fished on a steady retrieve, covering a lot of water, but rely on aggressive fish that are willing to chase a lure. The tight wiggle sends out maximum vibration, calling fish to attack. They are expensive, but you only need one or two in a bright and a dull colour to cover just about every eventuality.

HERE ARE THE CORRECT WAYS TO ATTACH YOUR SOFT PLASTIC LURES.

Shads

The most versatile of all lures, these rubber baits are fished with a weighted single hook. On canals, use shads around 4cm-5cm long with a 1g to 4g loading to give a slow fall to the lure.

You can fish shads on a steady retrieve in midwater, but quite often bites will come as the retrieve is paused and the lure slowly sinks on a tight line.

Alternatively, you can ‘hop’ shads along the bottom with a quick turn of the reel handle, followed by a pause. This tactic is especially effective for canal zander. Shads can attract pike, so always use a light wire trace when fishing them.

CHECK OUT THIS SIMPLE GUIDE TO USING SPINNERS.

Ned Rig

They might not be much to look at, but Ned rigs are a firm favourite among perch and canal zander anglers. These stumpy, weighted lures are best dragged very slowly along the bottom, which makes them ideal when the water is cold.

Fishing slowly means that you can’t cover a lot of ground, so be sure that you’ve located the fish as best you can. Try searching a swim with a shad first, before switching to a Ned that will pick up those extra fish that are unwilling to chase a lure.

CHECK OUT THESE TIPS TO CATCH MORE FISH LURE FISHING.

Drop Shot

A drop shot keeps the lure working effectively just a few inches above the bottom, making it ideal when the fish are unwilling to chase a lure. By adjusting the length of the tail between lure and weight you are able to fish a drop shot anywhere from just off bottom to midwater, but close to the deck is normally best.

Drop shot rigs are very easy to set up and, because the lure is not directly connected to the weight, you can use slightly more, which makes it easier to keep in contact with the lure and ensure it is fishing perfectly. You will also catch fish by steadily retrieving a drop shot along the bottom, but this rig really comes into its own when the water is a little cooler.

LEARN THE BASICS IN OUR BEGINNERS GUIDE TO LURE FISHING FOR PERCH.

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