If you've only got a few hours to go fishing this week, and want to boost your chances of success, then big river perch should be your target. A species that will happily feed at low water temperatures, they are remarkably plentiful around the country, and most anglers may be surprised to learn just how close they live to hotspots with true personal best potential.
To become really big, a perch will have wised-up to angling pressure, so making subtle tweaks and changes to your tactics is vital if you are to get them feeding confidently. So, analyse your approach, and make catching a big stripey a goal this season, with Ryan Hayden's best tips.
Avoid obvious swims
Perch that live close to snags can often be quite cagey if they have been heavily fished for. Some of my biggest fish have been caught from nondescript swims that have no obvious features. Areas with a good depth, such as long and straight glides, should always be explored, even if they don’t scream perch!
IF YOU NEED MORE TIPS ON HOW TO FISH A RIVER, THIS ARTICLE IS FULL OF GREAT ADVICE!
Rely on lobworms
It’s no secret that worms are a brilliant perch bait, but I much prefer lobworms to dendrobaenas. They’re heavier, giving you confidence that they’ll land on the bottom close to where you are feeding them. They can be fed by hand in sections in slower water, or via an open-ended feeder or a bait dropper in deeper areas.
LURE FISHING IS ALSO A GREAT WAY TO CATCH PERCH, HERE WE DISCUSS HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT LURE.
Use a balanced rig
Link legering is a great tactic, but it is important to use the correct amount of shot. Make sure that the rig trundles slowly through the swim, before stopping for short pauses here and there. Bites will often come as the bait moves. Glass quivertips are better than carbon ones, as they offer less resistance and help you to spot subtle bites.
USING ONE OF THE BEST FEEDER RODS WILL HELP YOU IDENTIFY SUTBLE BITES FROM PERCH.
Fish in daylight
The theory that big perch feed best at last light isn’t always correct. Bites can come throughout the day, depending on the light levels and the clarity of the water, or simply when the fish move through the area. Analyse the conditions and then make sure you are on the bank at the best possible time to capitalise on the opportunity.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A VENUE TO CATCH BIG PERCH, TRY ONE OF THESE GREAT SPOTS.
