The complete guide to all the tackle and bait you need for Perch fishing, from floats and lures to lines, rods and reels. We'll help you catch one of the UK's most popular predatory fish!
PERCH FISHING FLOATS
Fishing close in with a float is one of the most enjoyable ways of catching big perch. Look to fish next to features such as reeds and bushes, or if there are none the base of the near shelf where the bottom flattens is good.
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•Straight peacock wagglers - Sensitive and great for baits such as worms and prawns in static water. BUY NOW £1.99 each at Chapmans Angling
•Drennan Loafer - Thick tops, great for livebaits or flowing water
FISHING LURES FOR PERCH
Small spinners such as Mepps have long been a favourite of the perch angler but in recent years soft plastic lures have taken the UK by storm. Now thousands enjoy drop shotting and jigging with small colourful plastics on lakes, canals and rivers. Here are some of the best patterns for perch...
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LURE FISHING ROD
Short soft specialist lure rods are ideal. A good dropshot rod around 6ft 6ins-8ft in length is an ideal all-around choice for soft plastic lures. Jig rods tend to be slightly stiffer and are good for bigger fish and boat fishing.
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Angling Times Abu Garcia Complete Dropshotting Kit Special Offer, £59.99
Korum Snapper Twin Tip Dropshot rod £52.99 from Chapmans Angling
Daiwa Specialist Light Lure Dropshot rods £62.99 from Chapmans Angling
Fox Rage Ultron 2 Dropshot from £79.99 from Chapmans Angling
HOOKS FOR PERCH FISHING
Match the hook size to the type of bait used but generally you'll be looking at size 4 to 10, with a wide gape and medium gauge wire. A lot of commercial fisheries will only allow the use of a barbless hook but if not, go for a microbarb. A full barb may not always properly penetrate the bony mouth of a perch properly. Sizes 4 and 6 are ideal for livebaits, prawns and whole or double lobworms. Sizes 8 to 10 are for smaller worms or worm sections.
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Kamasan B983 £1.35 at Chapmans Angling
Fox Rage Dropshot Powerpoint £4.99 at Chapmans Angling
PERCH FISHING REEL
You don't need anything fancy for general bait fishing for perch, a standard 3000 sized coarse match reel is more than adequate. For lure fishing you'll be holding the rod all the time so you'll want something smaller like a 1500 or 2000 version, which makes for a really light set up and even more enjoyment!
WE RECOMMEND
Korum Snapper KDS 2000 £42.99 at Chapmans Angling (Lure)
LINE CHOICE FOR PERCH
A monofilament reel line of about 6lb is about right for perch. For dropshot and jig fishing you'll want a thin braided mainline however, which has no stretch, so you can feel every tap on the line and set the hook.
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BAIT FLAVOURS AND ADDITIVES
Perch do respond to certain flavours and additives when bait fishing. They're best when used on your hookbait, to make it stand out from any feed. Red seems to be the most tried and tested colour for colouring baits, especially prawns.
WE RECOMMEND
CC Moore Liquid Worm Protein Extract £11.49 £11.49 on Amazon