Commercial fisheries just about everywhere are home to substantial mixed stocks, but when carp and F1s are ravenous during the heat of summer, the perch seldom get a look-in.
Once temperatures start to fall, all that changes. Other species slowly lose their appetite, giving these stunningly-coloured pocket predators a chance to gorge on any suitable baits that they come across.
Brian Skoyles has caught plenty of huge stripeys from this type of water, and this week he reveals his five simple, tried-and-tested tactical edges to help you slip the net under a whacker!
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Fish the float
There’s not a lot of finesse to my approach, but while my float set-up would not win me any matches, it is exactly what’s required for perch. Depending on the conditions, I use either a 3BB or 5BB crystal waggler float and a size 10 barbless hook. The BB shot are evenly spread, the bottom one being about a foot from the hook.
I use a plummet to work out how the deep the water is and then fish overdepth, so that the bottom shot is resting on the lakebed. When the rod is positioned in the rests, I wind back to cock the float. Basically, it’s the good old-fashioned lift method. It’s so simple, but I find it works really well. Bites are usually a straight sail away, often preceded by the float lifting slightly as the fish picks up the bait.
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Choose baits wisely
Anybody who regularly fishes commercials will no doubt be aware of the bait and tactical restrictions many venues have in place. Fortunately, most of them permit my two favourite perch baits – raw prawns and lobworms.
I much prefer the larger raw prawns over the smaller cooked ones, although I do take both. The smaller ones are generally used as loosefeed to keep the costs down.Mussels also help to stir up a bit of activity in the swim. I have never found them particularly effective on the hook for the larger perch although the roach, chub and carp seem to love them!
Interestingly, different waters seem to respond better to either prawns or worms, so when fishing a new water, I usually try both until I can work out which works on the venue, then just focus on that.
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Find the hotspots
Swim selection is usually based on a combination of prior research and looking for features. Once I’ve decided on a venue to target, I try to keep up with the match results, either in the angling press or on social media pages. I also try to have a chat with lake owners and bailiffs, particularly if they supervise match weigh-ins, to get their views on consistent areas where bigger perch tend to feature in catches.
While walking round the lakes I look for marginal reedbeds, overhanging trees and snags. I prefer fishing the margins, as they are much easier to bait accurately and consistently. Over time, this enables me to build up a picture of a lake’s potential, consistent pegs and holding areas.
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Stay tuned in
Perch hate resistance, and if they pick the hookbait up and feel the weight of the rig, they’ll quickly eject it. This is why it is vital that your eyes are almost permanently staring at your float. One quick glance away could see the float dip and rise again without you even realising it!
If you’re in a hotspot, you’ll be amazed how quickly you can get bites. If a big perch sees your prawn or worm falling enticingly on the first cast, then there’s a good chance you’ll have a big fish in the net within minutes of starting... if you react quickly!
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Provoke a reaction
If you’re struggling to get bites then there are a few things that you can do to entice a reaction. It’s important to remember that not getting bites doesn’t always mean there are no perch in your swim. It could simply be that your hookbait isn’t proving particularly attractive to them, for one reason or another, and it’s your job to change that.
Half a turn on the reel will jerk your hookbait along the bottom a couple of inches, and this kind of sudden movement can often provoke a predatory fish to pounce.
Firing a few red maggots over the top can also work well on some venues. The surface disturbance will attract small silverfish in, which will then stimulate the perch’s feeding instincts and increase your chances of one of them taking your hookbait.
