Improve Your Coarse Fishing (UK)
Big perch love casters! – Iain Swanson
Iain Swanson reveals why specimen anglers should take a leaf out of the match angler’s handbook when targeting perch
COMMERCIALS were always dismissed as a viable option by keen specimen anglers. Bagging carp and F1s didn’t appeal one single iota to any of them. The challenge served up by canals, rivers and natural stillwaters was much more appealing to connoisseurs of big fish. But in recent years there has been a shift in mentality and one species in particular can take much of the credit. Perch. Specimen examples are now commonplace in commercials all over the country, and these once-dismissed venues are now on the radar of any angler on the hunt for a personal best stripey. At many venues a 2lb fish is highly likely, a 3lb specimen could become a reality and even a fish over the magical 4lb barrier isn’t out of the question. Using large lobworms or prawns on the hook and sitting behind a set of bite alarms is the stereotypical specimen perch angler approach. But could taking a leaf out of the match angler’s handbook provide more consistent results? Iain Swanson certainly thinks so. The Fishing IT angler has caught loads of big perch in recent winters and has noticed a pattern when it comes to which bait they prefer. “Perch are a predatory species and it is understandable why lots of people turn to big baits such as worms but my experience shows me that they absolutely love crunchy casters. “I’ve caught fish to over 3lb on them and they are the only bait I take with me when big perch are my target. “Combine them with the accuracy that fishing with a pole provides and you have a tactic that is going to outscore everything else,” declared Iain.
Don’t hold back
Regardless of whether you are a match, pleasure or specimen angler, the amount you feed in the coming weeks will have drastically reduced compared to your summer quota. For most species, that approach would be spot on. When it comes to commercial perch, however, Iain goes against the grain. “Perch still have a big appetite in winter and I am not afraid of putting in plenty of bait to attract them. There’s no risk of it having an adverse effect and the bolder you are, the more chance there is of bites coming quickly.” Three-quarters of a big cup are introduced on each line at the start and from then on he introduces a small pole cup every 10 minutes, or after each fish. With this positive attack in mind, two or three pints of casters are essential but that is all you will need on your sidetray. When it comes to the hookbait a single or double caster is best. Iain has also found that the lighter shades produce more action. “Perch hunt by sight and I think the lighter colour stands out much better, especially in clear water,” he explained.
Avoiding the carp
Although carp and F1s are much more lethargic in winter, they will still feed if a baited hook is placed close to where they are balled up. In order to avoid their attention, it is best to look for an area of the swim where they are unlikely to settle comfortably. “If you fish close to any cover such as reed beds then you increase the chances of being close to carp. Instead, I fish the short pole into open water. Anywhere between 5m and 7m out is ideal because this is a zone that the carp rarely inhabit during winter. “This enables perch to settle and feed on anything they find,” said Iain, as he primed lines to both the left and right of the swim with casters. “Rotating the swims is the best policy throughout the day,” he added.
Keep it still
The predatory instincts of perch may lead you to think that a moving hookbait is the best way to tempt a fish that is hovering nearby but Iain’s experience tells him that the complete opposite tends to work best on commercials. “I have no idea why,’’ he admitted with a shrug of his shoulders. “All I know is that I definitely get more bites when I nail the hookbait to the bottom as opposed to regularly lifting and dropping it.” To achieve such a presentation a float that will remain stable and not get dragged out of place by wind or tow is important. When fishing in between 3ft and 5ft of water in good conditions Iain uses a 0.3g pattern with a rugby ball shaped body and carbon stem. A bulk of shot set 18in from the hook helps maintain stability, with one small dropper shot below ensuring the caster hookbait looks natural as it flutters down close to the perch. The final trick is to lay the bait on the bottom by setting the rig so that it is 3in overdepth. When it comes to terminal tackle there is fine balance between fishing a rig that is too flimsy and one that will stand out like a sore thumb to your target. “Perch have bony mouths so you need an elastic that has a bit of force such as 6-8 yellow Milo hollow elastic to set the hook. Mainline is 0.12mm to a 0.11mm fluorocarbon hooklength and a size 16 Milo Suehiro P175 hook.” No matter where you live there is a bound to be a nearby commercial that holds big perch. Ignore the traditional baits and tactics and prepare to be surprised at what slides over the waiting landing net.