live baiting for perch?

[lozza]

I’ve have had some very odd takes some very gentle and slow movements of the float right down to it totally despairing and the rod bending over(and still nothing on the end). The bites I find the hardest to hit (mainly because I get too excited) are the takes when the live bait gets chased to the surface and you can see the fish trying to eat the bait. I have been using some quite hefty baits for these perch with some good results unfortunately I don’t have a camera or a set of scale (my mate took them to France) but I have taken some measurements of one of the bigger fish that I have caught it was about 17inch long buy 8.5inch from belly to bottom of the dorsal fin buy approximately 4inch in girth I could almost fit my fist in its mouth would any body have a guesstermation of the weight? Looking trough angler’s mail this week and to my surprise they have a section on live baiting on commercials the guy catches some good fish says there all over the 2lb mark but they don’t look it. Still have not tried circle hooks yet but will be out on Sunday to see if they are more effective. Does any body know were to source very supple wire for trace making the stuff I have at the moment seems a bit to rigid and is some what messing with my presentation?

[Dick Dastardly]

I hate wire for Perch Lozza and Im pretty sure they do too! I only use it if the chances of pike are very high. I dont know if its because they can see it,feel it or it just messes up the presentation. In all the years Ive live baited for pike Ive NEVER had a perch. Im still trying to find a good alternative but try a quick search on here as the subject often gets discussed and there will be a few links to suppliers of Wonderwire and the likes.

[Steve Walker]

I don’t have a camera or a set of scale (my mate took them to France) but I have taken some measurements of one of the bigger fish that I have caught it was about 17inch long buy 8.5inch from belly to bottom of the dorsal fin buy approximately 4inch in girth I could almost fit my fist in its mouth would any body have a guesstermation of the weight?

 

This is my PB perch from March. It weighed 3lb1oz, but was carrying a fair bit of spawn. The body of those scales, not including the handle or the metal bit, is six inches long.

 

Edited August 4, 2010 by Steve Walker

[JV44]

I hate wire for Perch Lozza and Im pretty sure they do too! I only use it if the chances of pike are very high. I dont know if its because they can see it,feel it or it just messes up the presentation. In all the years Ive live baited for pike Ive NEVER had a perch. Im still trying to find a good alternative but try a quick search on here as the subject often gets discussed and there will be a few links to suppliers of Wonderwire and the likes.

Budgie because of where i fish and the chance of Pike hits high i use wire and have watched them in clear water dissabling the baits by nipping at the tails and then bang no messing even with plastic coated wire at times ,A couple of winters ago i had a rake of decent Perch one day all on wire whilst the boat next to me had an almost even mix of Pike and Perch yet we were maybe 2 baot lengths apart in the Lock cutt ...makes no sense to me but maybe its just different venues .

[lozza]

what a fantastic specimen. The fish ive been catching dont have the depth in the belly that your fish did my mates back from france now with the rest of the gear so hopefully will get a few more with pics. i have had quite a few smaller pike take my live baits but becuase i hit the take very fast i just seemed to be lip hooking them has anybody tried braid as a hook length?

[Emma two]

In all the years Ive live baited for pike Ive NEVER had a perch..

 

Nor have I, not on a live bait set specifically for pike, but a few years ago I did try to get away with not using a wire when livebaiting for perch, but packed that in, too many pike came along, some were luckily landed, most not, including one very good fish. I may have landed it even on the relatively light tackle, 6lb mono through to a size 6 (or perhaps 4) hook, but it but it bit through. Now I even use wire when spinning/lure fishing for perch. I like the idea of 'not' using it but until I can figure out how to target perch exclusively I shall stick with it.

Edited August 4, 2010 by Emma two

[Dales]

To be honest I no longer feel any need to use live baits for Perch from my experience they have never worked for me for catching the very big Perch

 

They are great for getting plenty of bites and its amazing how even a smallish Perch will have ago at a bait almost two thirds it's own size. All my 3 lb plus fish have come with the humble lob worm and so now I can't be bothered with the hassle of using live bait to target them.

[JV44]

has anybody tried braid as a hook length?

Lights the blue touchpaper and runs >>>>

 

lozza tbh it`s down to the individual as to trace material but if it aint wire and Pike are around then eventually you will leave hooks in fish ,Think it was Archie Bradock that first recomended braid as a hooklength for Pike .......madness IMO

[lozza]

I too have had a lot more success with worm in conjunction with the maggot feeder but I am limited on time at the moment so need to get takes as soon as possible. I’ve also had some good fish using prawn in conjunction with the feeder but live baiting seems to produce faster results rather then wading trough the masses of smaller perch who also love worms.

[Dick Dastardly]

Braid gives no advantage over mono at all in this situation./It is as easily bitten through by pike and tends to tangle easier.