GAMECHANGER
SIMON DAVIDSON – 4lb 4oz PERCH
Taking a risk leads to greatest weekend of fishing ever
“I RECENTLY learnt the importance of taking risks in fishing. During my latest trip my original plan was turned upside down, but by not giving up I enjoyed what’s probably the greatest weekend’s fishing I’ve ever had.
It all started when I rang angling guide Matthew Fernandez to book a weekend of grayling fishing, as I’d never caught one before. He told me the River Itchen in Hampshire would be ideal, so we pencilled in a date. It was a Saturday, and after packing the car I made the 140-mile journey from my home in Kettering to meet Matt on the river.
When we arrived the Itchen was up, coloured and completely unfishable. We were determined it wouldn’t be a wasted trip, though, so Matt took me to a local stillwater called Whinwhistle which holds some huge perch. Storm Jorge was battering us with rain, hail and gale-force winds (which turned my brolly inside-out a few times!) but we eventually settled into our pegs.
Matt completely transformed my perch waggler rig and gave me some great insight into where I could expect to catch them on lakes at this time of year. After finding a deep area next to some dead lily pads I baited it with maggots and chopped worms before casting my rig over the top. By 5pm all we’d caught were small carp. I was demoralised and wasn’t looking forward to the long drive home. Matt suggested I slept in my van and fished the next day too.
So at 8am on Sunday I was back on the same peg. I cast my waggler next to the lily pads and immediately hooked a small carp. I cast out again and before I knew it the float was gone.
This fish didn’t feel like a perch as it was heavy and didn’t head-shake at all. It managed to snag me in the lilies, but by giving it some slack it soon came out and I managed to regain control.
The water was murky and I didn’t see the fish until it was at the net, so when the biggest perch I’d ever seen surfaced I shouted: ‘Oh my god!’ My heart was racing! I was absolutely buzzing.
At 4lb 4oz it was a new PB and a record for the venue! I’m so happy I made the most of a bad situation. Changing plans is always difficult but it certainly worked out fantastically for me.”
“When the biggest perch I’d ever seen surfaced I shouted: ‘Oh my god’. I was absolutely buzzing”
1 Get a good supply of fresh lobworms, which are the best bait for big perch.
2 Constantly drip-feeding maggots will attract and hold perch in the swim. 3 Take more than one bait choice. A prawn on one rod and a lobworm on the other keeps your options open. 4 Target margins, lily beds and sunken trees. Perch love cover.
5 Running leger rigs are a must, as perch will often drop a bait if they feel the slightest bit of resistance.