PAUL GARNER
Banker baits for catching yourself a big perch this weekend – try them!
“If I had one choice of bait for perch it would have to be a juicy lobworm”
THE first big fish that I ever caught was a perch, and although more than 30 years have passed since then, the tackle and kit needed to catch these fish have changed little.
Perhaps the biggest change is how widespread big perch now are, thanks in no small part to the proliferation of commercials. From rivers and pits, to canals and commercials, they’re present in them all, and I bet you can find some impressive perch in a venue close to you this weekend.
If I had one choice of bait for perch it would have to be a juicy lobworm fresh from the garden. Of course, they can also be bought from tackle shops or ordered online and, although this is a more expensive option, they’re tough baits and you only need a couple of dozen for a good session.
Bigger is better when it comes to lobs. Even a small perch can inhale a snake-sized worm, which are almost weightless in water. Perch also have cavernous mouths, so don’t worry about using big baits.
It might seem logical to hook a big worm across its middle, because you’d think this would give the best chance of the hook going into the perch’s mouth, but you’re better off hooking it through the raised ‘saddle’ section, because most perch will focus on this part.
Worms can live for a fairly long time underwater, so you don’t have to change your hookbait too often. When you do change baits, keep the used ones in a separate container and break these up for feed. Don’t mix healthy and used worms, though, as the damaged ones will quickly rot and kill the rest.
One problem with worms is that they’re not selective. All fish love them, and this can be
a problem if you’re fishing a venue containing lots of small perch or silvers. Fortunately, if you’re willing to forego a few bites and sit it out in search of your target, then there are other baits that are more selective.
Small deadbaits can be very effective on some venues, yet useless on others. I’ll often try one as a change bait when I’m catching well on other offerings. If the bites stop then the chances are deadbaits will be a waste of time, but if I catch then it’s worth sticking with them. My favourite type is a small roach, which I’ll often twitch occasionally to induce a bite.
Slightly less selective are prawns. Perch love these crustaceans. Use them raw, and fish a whole peeled one on a size 8 hook. Rather than feed prawns, I tend to use them just on the hook, which keeps costs down. Prawns are a very filling bait though, and often just one or two will fill a perch up, so use them sparingly.