SPECIMEN TIPS OF THE WEEK
BAG A BIG RIVER PERCH
BIG perch are probably more widespread than at any time in the past 40 years, and can be found almost anywhere.
Perch weighing more than 3lb are present in all manner of waters.
LOCATION
Perch are drawn to two features in particular – areas with cover and spots that are slightly deeper and with reduced flow. Overhanging trees or a large bed of rushes, provide perfect ambush points.
TACTICS
My favourite approach is with a chubber-style float. A float offers little resistance and allows you to move your bait through likely areas.
Sometimes trotting a bait through the swim is the most productive method, on other occasions laying on with the float set overdepth with the bait on the bottom works best. Move the bait downstream a yard or two at a time by lifting the rod and allowing your tackle to move with the current.
Quivertipping keeps your bait in one spot, for example, when fishing across the current to an overhanging tree. I like to use as light a quivertip as possible as perch hate to feel resistance and will drop the bait if they suspect anything.
BAIT
Perch love lobworms, which allow you to use strong line and big hooks in snaggy swims. If using
They can be found everywhere, from tiny streams that you can jump over, to canals and big rivers such as the Thames and Severn.
Here are my six tips to improve your river perch prospects.
a swimfeeder I like to put in a mix of red maggots and chopped dendrobaenas in to add attraction.
FEED
No perch can resist a steady stream of broken lobworms, red maggots and chopped dendrobaenas. Feed these by hand into near-bank swims or use a bait dropper. I like to start with five droppers and then top up regularly to keep perch interested.
I like to feed broken lobworms regularly and I also feed a large lob broken into three pieces approximately every 15 minutes.
TIME OF DAY
Perch can be caught at all times of the day, especially if it is overcast or there is a nice tinge of colour in the water.
Although they will feed on bright sunny days there is no doubt that under such conditions they generally feed better as the sun begins to set and light levels drop.
PRESERVE THE SWIM
Perch are easily spooked, so avoid returning fish directly into your swim. I like to walk a few yards upstream so the returned fish does not immediately return to the shoal and alert the other perch to danger.