The Coach

How to start drop shotting for big perch – the gear you need

IT’S cheap, simple to do, and lots of fun. If you’ve never tried drop shotting, autumn is the very best time to give it a go when the predators are at their most active.

The great thing about drop shotting is that it requires very little preparation, which makes it the ideal choice for short ‘afterwork’ sessions.

Venues like your local canal or embankments on rivers are ideal starting places as they are often full of perch, pike and zander.

It’s easy to get started, too. All you need is a rod and reel and a little bit of end tackle...

1 FLUOROCARBON

Used for tying your leader where the hook and weight sit. Breaking strain is determined by the venue and the fish you are expecting to catch. Go for 6lb8lb breaking strain to start with.

2 BRAIDED MAINLINE

Braid is ideal as a mainline because it helps you feel for shy bites and keeps you in contact with the lure.

3 LANDING NET

A small landing net such as a match-style net is ideal for carrying long distances.

4 DROP SHOT WEIGHTS

Small rectangular weights sit better on snaggy bottoms. A 3g weight is a good average size.

5 HEAVY WEIGHTS

A heavier weight to combat the flow of rivers is always worth carrying in your bag.

6 UNHOOKING MAT

Many canals have concrete towpaths, making one of these mats essential.

7 TWIN TAIL LURES

Around 3cm-4cm long, these make lots of ‘noise’ in the water to help attract predators.

8 SHAD TAILS

Effective in rivers, where the flow can help impart vital movement

to the lure. 9 PINTAIL LURES

Ideal for drop shotting as they require little movemen. Bright colours are highly visible in murky water.

10 GHOST PINTAILS

Perch are suckers for a white coloured lure.

11 MICRO FINESSE LURES

These tiny 1.5cm long lures are great when the going is tough.

12 FORCEPS

Essential should you hook a pike.

13 SMALL BAG

ideal for carrying small tackle items and a drink. A small hipstyle bag is great for walking.

14 HOOKS

Lots of manufacturers have designed special hooks for drop shotting. A fine but strong wire hook is ideal for hooking perch, which inhale the lure.

15 ROD

A 6ft-7ft rod with a casting weight of 0g-15g is ideal for drop shotting. The tips have to be firm but fast for helping to move the lure.

16 REEL

A small 1000-2000 size reel (loaded with braid) is ideal for drop shotting.