The Coach
Start Dropshotting Pt2 – where to find big perch on your canal
DROP shotting or light lure fishing is a fun and productive winter tactic when temperatures plummet.
Many species like carp start to go into their winter hibernation, so lure fishing for species such as perch, pike and zander can make a great alternative to struggling for bites on your local commercial.
This deadly tactic, which was originally brought to UK anglers from the United States, has resulted in the captures of some of the nation’s biggest perch, pike and zander. The other benefit of drop shotting, besides being fun and exciting, is that it involves quite a bit of walking along canal and river banks. This will help to keep you warm and active in the cold weather.
In the second part of our new series on how to start drop shotting, this week we look at the areas you need to target to help you get plenty of bites and
catch more fish.
1 BOATS
Barges offer a
hiding place for pike and perch, especially on sunny days.
Marinas and wharfs are well worth trying for this reason. Drop your rig as close to the barge as possible and twitch the lure. Be careful not to upset boaters, or touch the boats with your lure.
2 NEAR MARGIN
This can be one of the most productive areas on a canal and river, especially if there’s plant life such as sunken weed or lily pads.
Perch and pike are often found here. It’s also worth looking out for undercut banks, as perch love to sit tight under these.
3 DOWN THE TRACK
Often the deepest part of the canal or river, this area should never be overlooked. Pike, perch and zander can all be found here especially in low flow or clear water conditions.
Cast two-thirds of the way across and slowly work the lure back towards you, moving across the centre of the canal.
4 FAR SHELF
Pike and perch often like to sit close to far-bank features such as rushes, overhanging trees or lily beds, but they will also feed at the bottom of the far shelf, especially on canals.
This is where food and bait often ends up, being dispersed by the wash of passing barges.
5 THE ‘TINS’
Built to stop the bank from eroding, you can find manmade ‘tins’ on many canals and urbanised river stretches. They always seem to hold fish, epecially perch, tight to them. If they are on your inside bank, drop your lure down the edge and walk along the bank, twitching your lure parrallel to the tins, and await the bite.
6 BRIDGES
Bridges provide cover for all fish species. Don’t be afraid to fish right underneath them, even on canals, as perch and zander in particular love to hide here.