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Large Perch Myth or Reality?

Dales

By Dales
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Dales Member

Dales

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After reading about Stooby's new PB Perch 1lb 8oz a cracking fish, I got to wondering about all the articles and comments I have seen recently in magazines and various forums concerning big Perch. If all the stuff that is written is to be believed our waters are stuffed with giant Perch.

 

I even seen this posted recently on AN

 

excellent stocks of fish including LOADS of 4-5lb Perch

 

We have had some cracking big Perch pictures recently on AN so they are out there but are they in the numbers that all the posts and articles would suggest? Obviously seeing pictures of the "said giant fish" does help to add prove to claims of big Perch. Even without a little bitching about whether it is or is not the size claimed, a big Perch is still a big Perch what ever the weight.

 

Perch have most certainly made a good come back all over the place, but do 3lb, 4lb & even 5lb fish swim in as many waters as reports would suggest? It's the fish the angling press like to promote as the record anyone could break. Are we in a golden age of Perch fishing or is it all an illusion caused by a few good fish been caught and plenty of exageration about the rest.

 

I think you know what my next question will be if you answer Reality. Then why do I struggle so hard to catch all these monsters then :D

Stephen

 

Species Caught 2014

Zander, Pike, Bream, Roach, Tench, Perch, Rudd, Common Carp, Mirror Carp, Eel, Grayling, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

Species Caught 2013

Pike, Zander, Bream, Roach, Eel, Tench, Rudd, Perch, Common Carp, Koi Carp, Brown Goldfish, Grayling, Brown Trout, Chub, Roosterfish, Dorado, Black Grouper, Barracuda, Mangrove Snapper, Mutton Snapper, Jack Crevalle, Tarpon, Red Snapper

Species Caught 2012
Zander, Pike, Perch, Chub, Ruff, Gudgeon, Dace, Minnow, Wels Catfish, Common Carp, Mirror Carp, Ghost Carp, Roach, Bream, Eel, Rudd, Tench, Arapaima, Mekong Catfish, Sawai Catfish, Marbled Tiger Catfish, Amazon Redtail Catfish, Thai Redtail Catfish, Batrachian Walking Catfish, Siamese Carp, Rohu, Julliens Golden Prize Carp, Giant Gourami, Java Barb, Red Tailed Tin Foil Barb, Nile Tilapia, Black Pacu, Red Bellied Pacu, Alligator Gar
Species Caught 2011
Zander, Tench, Bream, Chub, Barbel, Roach, Rudd, Grayling, Brown Trout, Salmon Parr, Minnow, Pike, Eel, Common Carp, Mirror Carp, Ghost Carp, Koi Carp, Crucian Carp, F1 Carp, Blue Orfe, Ide, Goldfish, Brown Goldfish, Comet Goldfish, Golden Tench, Golden Rudd, Perch, Gudgeon, Ruff, Bleak, Dace, Sergeant Major, French Grunt, Yellow Tail Snapper, Tom Tate Grunt, Clown Wrasse, Slippery Dick Wrasse, Doctor Fish, Graysby, Dusky Squirrel Fish, Longspine Squirrel Fish, Stripped Croaker, Leather Jack, Emerald Parrot Fish, Red Tail Parrot Fish, White Grunt, Bone Fish
Species Caught 2010
Zander, Pike, Perch, Eel, Tench, Bream, Roach, Rudd, Mirror Carp, Common Carp, Crucian Carp, Siamese Carp, Asian Redtail Catfish, Sawai Catfish, Rohu, Amazon Redtail Catfish, Pacu, Long Tom, Moon Wrasse, Sergeant Major, Green Damsel, Tomtate Grunt, Sea Chub, Yellowtail Surgeon, Black Damsel, Blue Dot Grouper, Checkered Sea Perch, Java Rabbitfish, One Spot Snapper, Snubnose Rudderfish
Species Caught 2009
Barramundi, Spotted Sorubim Catfish, Wallago Leeri Catfish, Wallago Attu Catfish, Amazon Redtail Catfish, Mrigul, Siamese Carp, Java Barb, Tarpon, Wahoo, Barracuda, Skipjack Tuna, Bonito, Yellow Eye Rockfish, Red Snapper, Mangrove Snapper, Black Fin Snapper, Dog Snapper, Yellow Tail Snapper, Marble Grouper, Black Fin Tuna, Spanish Mackerel, Mutton Snapper, Redhind Grouper, Saddle Grouper, Schoolmaster, Coral Trout, Bar Jack, Pike, Zander, Perch, Tench, Bream, Roach, Rudd, Common Carp, Golden Tench, Wels Catfish
Species Caught 2008
Dorado, Wahoo, Barracuda, Bonito, Black Fin Tuna, Long Tom, Sergeant Major, Red Snapper, Black Damsel, Queen Trigga Fish, Red Grouper, Redhind Grouper, Rainbow Wrasse, Grey Trigger Fish, Ehrenbergs Snapper, Malabar Grouper, Lunar Fusiler, Two Tone Wrasse, Starry Dragonet, Convict Surgeonfish, Moonbeam Dwarf Angelfish,Bridled Monocle Bream, Redlined Triggerfish, Cero Mackeral, Rainbow Runner
Species Caught 2007
Arapaima, Alligator Gar, Mekong Catfish, Spotted Sorubim Catfish, Pacu, Siamese Carp, Barracuda, Black Fin Tuna, Queen Trigger Fish, Red Snapper, Yellow Tail Snapper, Honeycomb Grouper, Red Grouper, Schoolmaster, Cubera Snapper, Black Grouper, Albacore, Ballyhoo, Coney, Yellowfin Goatfish, Lattice Spinecheek

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jedibond Member

jedibond

Posted
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Then why do I struggle so hard to catch all these monsters then :D

 

Yeah, cos you caught some tiddlers at Wingham didn't you ? :P

Ian

 

"If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving isn't for you"

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Dales Member

Dales

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Yeah, cos you caught some tiddlers at Wingham didn't you ? :P

 

I've had a few "Good Uns" in my time :D But over many years and spending alot of time trying to catch them. But if you believe some reports people are having to wade through 3 pounders to get at other species. That cant be true can it :unsure:

Stephen

 

Species Caught 2014

Zander, Pike, Bream, Roach, Tench, Perch, Rudd, Common Carp, Mirror Carp, Eel, Grayling, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

Species Caught 2013

Pike, Zander, Bream, Roach, Eel, Tench, Rudd, Perch, Common Carp, Koi Carp, Brown Goldfish, Grayling, Brown Trout, Chub, Roosterfish, Dorado, Black Grouper, Barracuda, Mangrove Snapper, Mutton Snapper, Jack Crevalle, Tarpon, Red Snapper

Species Caught 2012
Zander, Pike, Perch, Chub, Ruff, Gudgeon, Dace, Minnow, Wels Catfish, Common Carp, Mirror Carp, Ghost Carp, Roach, Bream, Eel, Rudd, Tench, Arapaima, Mekong Catfish, Sawai Catfish, Marbled Tiger Catfish, Amazon Redtail Catfish, Thai Redtail Catfish, Batrachian Walking Catfish, Siamese Carp, Rohu, Julliens Golden Prize Carp, Giant Gourami, Java Barb, Red Tailed Tin Foil Barb, Nile Tilapia, Black Pacu, Red Bellied Pacu, Alligator Gar
Species Caught 2011
Zander, Tench, Bream, Chub, Barbel, Roach, Rudd, Grayling, Brown Trout, Salmon Parr, Minnow, Pike, Eel, Common Carp, Mirror Carp, Ghost Carp, Koi Carp, Crucian Carp, F1 Carp, Blue Orfe, Ide, Goldfish, Brown Goldfish, Comet Goldfish, Golden Tench, Golden Rudd, Perch, Gudgeon, Ruff, Bleak, Dace, Sergeant Major, French Grunt, Yellow Tail Snapper, Tom Tate Grunt, Clown Wrasse, Slippery Dick Wrasse, Doctor Fish, Graysby, Dusky Squirrel Fish, Longspine Squirrel Fish, Stripped Croaker, Leather Jack, Emerald Parrot Fish, Red Tail Parrot Fish, White Grunt, Bone Fish
Species Caught 2010
Zander, Pike, Perch, Eel, Tench, Bream, Roach, Rudd, Mirror Carp, Common Carp, Crucian Carp, Siamese Carp, Asian Redtail Catfish, Sawai Catfish, Rohu, Amazon Redtail Catfish, Pacu, Long Tom, Moon Wrasse, Sergeant Major, Green Damsel, Tomtate Grunt, Sea Chub, Yellowtail Surgeon, Black Damsel, Blue Dot Grouper, Checkered Sea Perch, Java Rabbitfish, One Spot Snapper, Snubnose Rudderfish
Species Caught 2009
Barramundi, Spotted Sorubim Catfish, Wallago Leeri Catfish, Wallago Attu Catfish, Amazon Redtail Catfish, Mrigul, Siamese Carp, Java Barb, Tarpon, Wahoo, Barracuda, Skipjack Tuna, Bonito, Yellow Eye Rockfish, Red Snapper, Mangrove Snapper, Black Fin Snapper, Dog Snapper, Yellow Tail Snapper, Marble Grouper, Black Fin Tuna, Spanish Mackerel, Mutton Snapper, Redhind Grouper, Saddle Grouper, Schoolmaster, Coral Trout, Bar Jack, Pike, Zander, Perch, Tench, Bream, Roach, Rudd, Common Carp, Golden Tench, Wels Catfish
Species Caught 2008
Dorado, Wahoo, Barracuda, Bonito, Black Fin Tuna, Long Tom, Sergeant Major, Red Snapper, Black Damsel, Queen Trigga Fish, Red Grouper, Redhind Grouper, Rainbow Wrasse, Grey Trigger Fish, Ehrenbergs Snapper, Malabar Grouper, Lunar Fusiler, Two Tone Wrasse, Starry Dragonet, Convict Surgeonfish, Moonbeam Dwarf Angelfish,Bridled Monocle Bream, Redlined Triggerfish, Cero Mackeral, Rainbow Runner
Species Caught 2007
Arapaima, Alligator Gar, Mekong Catfish, Spotted Sorubim Catfish, Pacu, Siamese Carp, Barracuda, Black Fin Tuna, Queen Trigger Fish, Red Snapper, Yellow Tail Snapper, Honeycomb Grouper, Red Grouper, Schoolmaster, Cubera Snapper, Black Grouper, Albacore, Ballyhoo, Coney, Yellowfin Goatfish, Lattice Spinecheek

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stooby Member

stooby

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Hi Dales,

 

I think my Perch was more luck than judgement :lol: but it has made me want to catch a monster of a Perch! so if anyone knows of any likely spots around the Northamptonshire area let me know.... ;)

 

Out of curisosity Dales, the "Good Uns" you have caught, what size were they?

 

Cheers,

 

Stu...

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larsagi2010 Member

larsagi2010

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I have personally experienced Perch of a good size coming out of the local area's waters commonly. I live in the NW of England and Perch seem to be a species that really thrives around here.

 

I don't just mean in recent years either. I am talking about for 5-10+ years that I know about.

 

I will attempt to explain why I believe Perch of a good size are becoming so common.

 

The main one is these Carp Waters we are seeing dug out literally everywhere. I don't mean so much the ''Commercial'' waters which are fished daily... But more the little side lakes that few know about. Most around here have no stocks of Pike at all, this means Perch are the top of the food chain.... With all these Protein baits for Carp being chucked in literally in bucket loads these predators are thriving on the endless supply of food and security they have. I have actually witnessed Perch bullying Carp away from a swim that contains food... I mean several 2lb Perch vs two or three 15lb Carp! And the Perch win hands down every time.

 

It seems they have mastered how to dominate these waters they live in. They attack just about anything that moves or poses a threat to their food source or security. These Perch are so adapted to Carp baits that the larger Perch take Boilies over maggots any day... In fact if its the big Perch your after you need Boilies or something like 3-4 sweetcorns just to make it worth their while in bothering to try the food you are offering... If not the smaller perch will destroy your baits in minuites. I will also add the trademark ''Lobs/Spinners'' seem to get no attention from these big Perch.. Maybe they are too lazy to chase the food around??? I have no idea, but based on 8 years of fishing this venue I know this is certainly the case in that particular water.

 

I will be honest, even though it is believed that ''Commercials'' will almost certainly produce the next Perch U.K Record. I have not had my biggest Perch from these types of water at all. In fact my PB Perch from a commercial is 2lb 2oz... Which in my eyes was an achievement worth smiling about, especially when I was fishing for Carp/Tench/Bream!

 

My best Perch have come from two venues.

 

1. When I was 8-15 years old I used to fish here:

 

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ie...mp;t=h&z=20

 

This is the Shropshire Union Canal. Very overgrown on one side (Like most canals) and back then it didn't have a tow path on the other size making it almost deserted. I fished where the bridge used to be (Thinner section) and had 9 Perch of 2lb over the season, two Perch of 3lb, and 1 Perch of 4lb. Maybe this was the record at the time?? I have no idea, I am not up to date on records ect: and as I was only a little nipper I didn't have the money to afford a disposable camera, let alone pay for it to get developed! (How things have changed with the Digi-Cam!)

 

I wen't down there about 8 months ago after years of not visiting there. I caught a 4lb3oz Perch on a spinner while Pike fishing... Only the one! But it shows they are still around.

 

I honestly believe there would be some 5lb-ers in there. Never caught one from there.... But I believe there probably is... Until someone catches one though it will always remain a mystery.

 

The second place is the River Dee.

 

I know the Dee is packed with 4lb Perch, I know people who have caught multiple 4lb-ers in a single session. Even a few 5lb-ers in there. I believe the Dee holds multiple Perch that are over the U.K record.

 

Here is a little proof to back it up:

 

Have a look at the top left picture (1st Runner up)

http://www.tcfmagazine.com/Korum-Challenge/

 

Description:

A feederful of bread crumb and maggots mixed with Irn-Bru with lobworm on the hook lured this super 4lb 3oz perch. The personal-best fish was caught by Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire-based Crawford Griffiths from the River Dee.

Species Caught 2011: Mirror Carp, Barbel, Ide, Rudd, Roach, Bleak, Perch, Bream,

 

Species Caught 2010: Perch, Pike, Roach, Rudd, Bleak, Bream, Gudgeon, Ruffe, Ide, Tench, Mirror Carp, Common Carp, Barbel, Chub, F1, Crusian Carp, Goldfish

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lozza Member

lozza

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I think its all relative to the fish that are resident in the places you fish. Catching a perch over 2lb in the river were I live is not a difficult task in fact I seem to catch more over the pound mark then under it. This has not always been the case before I fished this river I had hardly ever caught any decent perch a perch over a pound would have been a massive fish. Not sure if we are in a golden age of perch fishing but what I think is that a lot more people are trying to catch them.

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DavyR Member

DavyR

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The second place is the River Dee.

 

I know the Dee is packed with 4lb Perch, I know people who have caught multiple 4lb-ers in a single session. Even a few 5lb-ers in there. I believe the Dee holds multiple Perch that are over the U.K record.

 

Here is a little proof to back it up:

 

Have a look at the top left picture (1st Runner up)

http://www.tcfmagazine.com/Korum-Challenge/

 

Description:

A feederful of bread crumb and maggots mixed with Irn-Bru with lobworm on the hook lured this super 4lb 3oz perch. The personal-best fish was caught by Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire-based Crawford Griffiths from the River Dee.

 

Given where that angler lives, I think he probably caught that perch in the Scottish Dee. Unless he was on his holidays. ;)

 

http://www.dee-ken-fishing.org/

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Austin Member

Austin

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Hi Dales,

 

I think my Perch was more luck than judgement :lol: but it has made me want to catch a monster of a Perch! so if anyone knows of any likely spots around the Northamptonshire area let me know.... ;)

 

Out of curisosity Dales, the "Good Uns" you have caught, what size were they?

 

Cheers,

 

Stu...

 

Corby boating lake you can't move for perch if you fish off maggots i have also seen one that i couldn't get in on the whip when my son was fishing i have no idea what weight it was but it was a good size. A few of the locals have been talking about 3-4lbs perch in there as well, to be honest i started fishing off strawberry pellets as i was sick of the sight of them. I may go have another go on maggots and report back but if you decide to go there make sure you mention you are local as its half the price and i cerainly wasn't best pleased when i got charged £7 to fish it the otehr day as its certainly not worth that.

they do an open match on saturdays there as well if you are interested

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stooby Member

stooby

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Corby boating lake you can't move for perch if you fish off maggots i have also seen one that i couldn't get in on the whip when my son was fishing i have no idea what weight it was but it was a good size. A few of the locals have been talking about 3-4lbs perch in there as well, to be honest i started fishing off strawberry pellets as i was sick of the sight of them. I may go have another go on maggots and report back but if you decide to go there make sure you mention you are local as its half the price and i cerainly wasn't best pleased when i got charged £7 to fish it the otehr day as its certainly not worth that.

they do an open match on saturdays there as well if you are interested

 

Cheers Austin, I might go take a look at that in the coming weeks! :)

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larsagi2010 Member

larsagi2010

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Given where that angler lives, I think he probably caught that perch in the Scottish Dee. Unless he was on his holidays. ;)

 

http://www.dee-ken-fishing.org/

 

You may well be right mate. I did see an angler in the A.T who was using an Irn Bru groundbait to catch monster Perch. Sadly I no longer have the paper and cannot find any info on it on the WWW :(

 

That was in the Cheshire Dee though, not the Scottish one (Like the link seems to be)

 

I may well have a go for them sometime soon. I hate basing things on ''others'' experiences. I think it may be interesting to get out to the water and see what turns up. They are reported to be there in great numbers and I have saw quite a few pictures to back them up.... So in theory if I get the baits out into the water and apply a little patience.. I should land a few nice specimens!

 

In fact I will take a trip down on Saturday and post pictures of what turns up.

Species Caught 2011: Mirror Carp, Barbel, Ide, Rudd, Roach, Bleak, Perch, Bream,

 

Species Caught 2010: Perch, Pike, Roach, Rudd, Bleak, Bream, Gudgeon, Ruffe, Ide, Tench, Mirror Carp, Common Carp, Barbel, Chub, F1, Crusian Carp, Goldfish

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