26 replies to this topic

[AddictedToScopex]

I think the jump up in water temperature had had an effect and the fish were acclimatising. I'm sure there were fish present, but I wasn't able to temp them...

That is one thing I will certainly agree with but I have also noticed changes in ambient light have an effect too. When the weather (both temp and brightness) has been up and down the perch fishing on the stretch I have been on can be quite tough despite there being thousands in attendance although the pike always seem to oblige (well at least one per trip). It seems it takes a few days (2-3) of fairly consistent weather on this water to produce any meaningful results perch wise. I have been really concentrating on my perch lure fishing (much to the detriment of my river campaign) and so I am starting to notice certain trends appearing. They certainly dont seem to like it when it has been hammering it down a day before and then bright the next. A few overcast days in a row or a few sunny and they seem well up for it. I am starting to get the measure of them now and starting to get some fairly consistent results slowly but surely. I must get on the river soon though. If I am not careful I may end up fishing for perch right up to October when I will then switch over to going exclusively for pike. Its quite addictive this lure fishing lark. Having had 2 definite 2lb+ fish recently it is only serving to spur me on to try for more and maybe even a 3lber if I am very lucky. I am almost certain they are present. There are far too many baitfish for there not to be some monsters lurking about. Compare to many canal stretches I have seen in my area which seem devoid of life this one seems a haven of fish activity. I am getting a little tempted to do another session on the pole on there too. So much to do and so little time with the windows in the weather we are having.

[Steve Burke]

One of the things I've learned over years of perch fishing is that what works on one water doesn't always work on others, and may not work on a given water when conditions change.

However one thing I am certain about is that on many days wire traces will cut down the number of perch caught on small lures. For instance, some years ago Leon and I helped a youngster catch small perch on a jig at Wingham. Once one or two had been caught the perch soon shied away from anything presented on a wire trace. I then removed the wire and bang the jig was hit again. Bear in mind that this was on a water where these particular perch had never seen a lure, and possibly had never even been fished for.

I've also found that perch wise up to a given presentation very quickly. Sometimes, but by no means always, a change of lure or even the the type of retrieve can make a big difference. But only for a short while, and then you have to start all over again!

But as I said at the beginning of this post, every water is different. So I'd be fascinated to hear how you get on.

[AddictedToScopex]

One of the things I've learned over years of perch fishing is that what works on one water doesn't always work on others, and may not work on a given water when conditions change.

However one thing I am certain about is that on many days wire traces will cut down the number of perch caught on small lures. For instance, some years ago Leon and I helped a youngster catch small perch on a jig at Wingham. Once one or two had been caught the perch soon shied away from anything presented on a wire trace. I then removed the wire and bang the jig was hit again. Bear in mind that this was on a water where these particular perch had never seen a lure, and possibly had never even been fished for.

I've also found that perch wise up to a given presentation very quickly. Sometimes, but by no means always, a change of lure or even the the type of retrieve can make a big difference. But only for a short while, and then you have to start all over again!

But as I said at the beginning of this post, every water is different. So I'd be fascinated to hear how you get on.

The wire thing is, I think, a hotly debated subject when it comes to perch. It isn't something that is proving particularly true on the water I fish however. I wouldn't class this stretch of canal as being heavily fished at all and it is very rare for me to bump into another angler and if I do they are usually pole fishing. It is even more rare to bump into a lure angler. I have only seen two the whole time I have fished there. Its great.

Another thing that isn't proving true on this stretch is that perch wise up to the lure or retrieve. I used the same lure for a good hour at times and time after time the same group of perch would follow it and snap at it. I knew it was the same group as I could watch them drifting back to their holding spot and would chuck the lure at them again.

As you say Steve it is very likely horses for courses and what happens on my local canal may be a world apart from what happens on a still water down south. Also I think that if the perch are really having it and are in attack mode it doesnt really matter what comes past them. As I mentioned in my blog post for the first trip more often than not the perch would turn on each other once I lifted the lure out of the water. I have never seen perch being so aggressive for such a long period of time. In the case of the first trip it was mid week and boat traffic is often far less. I suspect a boat hadnt been through the lock for a while so the perch were hungry and therefore attacking anything that moved.

[Anderoo]

I'm resurrecting this topic as I've been reading Tom Haggett's blog, and rather than ask questions there I thought I'd open it out here.

 

Tom, some fantastic fishing there (and good photos too). I'm interested in what size jigs you're using, and how you're retreiving them? I really enjoy this style of fishing now, and it's good to hear from those who are doing well with it!

[Newt]

A good idea - this is an interesting topic.

 

To answer a question you asked early on and never got answered, drop shotting is pretty much a specialty tactic in the US for times or conditions or waters where other methods aren't producing.  

 

As Phone mentioned, it started in the Western US on the large, deep impoundments when you might spot fish at 20-50 feet down and not very active.  There really isn't any other good lure tactic that I know of for those areas.

 

It has spread to other areas and other situations but usually used when more active lure presentations just aren't getting fish.  

 

I like a variation of it (bait but presented as you would a drop-shot lure) for carp, catfish, and whatever else is interested.  I use a specialized slip-float that lets the weight hit the bottom then locks and raises the line 3-4 inches to remove most of the slack.

[Anderoo]

Thanks for that Newt. That does make a lot of sense. I'm pretty sure now that's why I've struggled with it, I've been doing my lure fishing in the warmer months, and I think it's too subtle then, the perch want something to chase.

 

It's also a good point about the boat and echo sounder. I guess most (if not all?) US and mainland Europe perch and zander anglers fish vertically from a boat, and can often see on the sounder whether fish are present or not. If the fish are in a funny mood, drop-shotting suddenly makes sense, as you know you're on fish and you can try to gently coax a bite out of fish that aren't really interested.

 

I'm fishing blind from the bank, so it's guesswork whether fish are even present. A searching and more active method is therefore probably better (it has been in my experience anyway). But it would then be a very useful thing to pull out of your back pocket if you're getting plucks on other lures that don't connect, as you can then fish the area with the drop-shot knowing fish are present.

 

I gave drop-shotting a really good go at Rutland last year, while zander fishing. I had one tiny pluck. Fishing big shads on a big jig head, jigging, produced loads of fish!

 

I think I just need to learn when it's the right method to use. A day spent with a good drop-shotter would be a very interesting experience I'm sure.

[Newt]

That's pretty much my take on it.  If fish are feeding and taking large lures actively fished then it isn't a time I'd even consider drop shotting.  If I were fishing a UK canal that held pike or perch, in cold weather, and nothing good was happening, I think I'd break out the drop shotting gear.

 

I've always had an idea that a pred of any good age & size has to know that they need to eat but that expending 100 calories to bag a 40 calorie meal is not the way forward while expending 10 calories to get that same 40 calorie meal is a good idea.  Your drop shot lure is pretty well saying, "Hey, look at me.  I'm a small meal but an easy one."