Perch are hands down my favourite species to fish for. I don’t mind if it’s lure fishing, dropshotting, live-baiting or static fishing for them, be that on the float or at range with the ledger tactics. This time of year is when I really start to focus on them, hoping to find that elusive 4lb fish that’s so far eluded me. My current pb is 3lb 14oz caught from our local river. I will never forget that day, my dad drove all the way over from Ramsgate just to see the fish and take a couple of photos, being able to share that moment with him means more to me now than catching the fish ever did.
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| A Perch and a moment I will never forget. |
I am in the fortunate situation where I have got multiple waters available to me which could contain my target fish, the syndicate has apparently never produced a genuine 4, so it would have to be a lake record to come from there, but considering that it’s only me and my good friend Andy who fish for them in 40odd acres, there’s every possibility that one of us will have one, Andy has taken perch to 3:14 and I have had them to 3:11, so we’re on the right tracks. We are limited by the syndicate rules because we aren’t allowed to use live-baits, but that just means we have to think and adapt our tactics, which is what fishing should be about. Solving the puzzle which is put in front of you.
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| My syndicate PB at 3:11. |
Canterbury and district have a different set of rules, we are allowed to use live baits to fish for the perch, assuming that we have caught them from the same water in which we are going to to use them in and they’re released if not used. It’s well documented as far back as Isaac Walton and beyond that live baits are by far the best way to catch big perch. That being said, it’s not always easy to catch small enough baits to use for the perch. That’s been the biggest issue so far in fact, I have come up with a plan though, so hopefully won’t be a problem for long!
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| 3lb 2oz of CADAA magnificence. |
I’ve only managed a few trips out so far but have already managed to land a fish of 2lb 2oz on a spinner, as well as a 1lb 10oz fish on a live bait. We’ve also accidentally discovered that dropshotting is a killer tactic for catching Rudd, so that will no doubt turn into a future project.
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| 2lb 2oz |
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| Rudd on the dropshot, who'd 'ave thought! |
Hopefully theres a 4lber with my name on it somewhere this season, but if there isn't, I'll have to get better at catching them and try again next season!
ah i’m really sad to hear the passing of dylan.
ReplyDeletei met him at “black dyke” many years ago and we spent time stalking the banks with his centerpin reels and my lure rod.
he was a great man and ill miss bumping into him out on the marsh.
tight lines dylan where ever you me be!
steve
Thank you for you comment Steve, we are having a centerpin competition at the PAC this season in Dad’s name, so hopefully there will be lots more people creeping around in the bushes with pins 😊
DeleteMet your dad out on the cut drain a couple of years back, guessed who it was from a distance who else would be out on the flats ploughing through the undergrowth chasing Pike on a drain that no0one normally fishes! Interesting and friendly knowledgeable man, never got the chance to meet him again which was a shame as I had deep respect of his marsh knowledge and respect for nature. I too, chase the big river perch and have had plenty up to 2 pounds and one nearly double that weight 3 years ago, but have not managed another real biggie since! I will be giving it my best shot again this Autumn!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Phil, he was one of a kind. I’ve heard of some very big perch coming out of the river again this year, so hopefully they’re having a good season!
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