Hooking Deadbaits for Perch

[Carlos the Jackal]

Hi all

 

I have been fishing for perch with dedabaits recently following a decision to fish less with livebaits (which i would normally liphook), as I feel the deadbaits often attract the larger fish.

 

However, despite prompt striking, I have experienced some deephooking in the passed.

 

I decided when deadbaiting to try hooking the deadbait (be it small perch, gudgeon or roach) in the tail root.

I fish open bail arm, with a 1.5ft drop on a very light bobbin with the rod tip pointing straight at the bait. I have been striking when the bobbin hits the rod.

 

I have missed quite a few runs with this mehtod and lost a few rather large fish (looked 3lb+) as they surfaced, so do not feel it is simply smaller fish not managing to engulf the bait.

 

I was wondering how others hook deadbaits for perch, lip or tail, and how you set your rods up, and what stage you strike to try to ensure maximum hooking with minimum deephooking.

 

Thanks in advance for all your views.

 

Carl

[Andy_1984]

sorry for some reason i wrote about dead baiting for pike not perch one thing i may suggest though is waiting a few seconds to see if they run with the bait after the bobbin hits the rod so to make sure they aint just teasin you

Edited September 27, 2006 by Andy_1984

[Carlos the Jackal]

Thanks for your reply Andy,

 

Has anyone else got any helpful advice about where they hook deadbaits for perch, and whether the strike is delayed slighty longer if hooked in the tail as opposed to when fishing lip-hooked livebaits?

 

Thanks

 

Carl

[Anderoo]

Hopefully you'll get a reply from Steve Burke - the authority on all things perchy.

 

I'm about to have a dangle for (hopefully) big perch in the Thames and I may use deadbaits. I was planning to hook them through the tail root on the basis that I would expect the perch to suck the bait in head first. This is supposition, however - but it is the way other predators (pike, zander) feed.

 

I would try to use a float where possible. Otherwise a running link leger with a light bobbin and the rod pointing at the bait, as you say. As for striking, that's a tricky one and will probably change depending on conditions and behaviour - the unhelpful answer is, whenever you think it's got the bait in its mouth! All my big perch have screamed off with the bait and luckily I've never deephooked a perch over about 1 1/2lb. I always find it easier to judge the strike using a float.

 

By the way, are you fishing a lake or a river?

Edited September 28, 2006 by Anderoo

[gozzer]

Hopefully you'll get a reply from Steve Burke - the authority on all things perchy.

 

I'm about to have a dangle for (hopefully) big perch in the Thames and I may use deadbaits. I was planning to hook them through the tail root on the basis that I would expect the perch to suck the bait in head first. This is supposition, however - but it is the way other predators (pike, zander) feed.

 

No doubt Steve will put me right , but it is my experience that perch will take a fish any way it can. I have watched perch take gudgeon tail first, and even had live bait that have had part of their tails taken off by what I believe to be perch. There is a theory that perch snap at the tail of their quarry to slow it down and make it easier to catch.

But as you say Steve is the expert, and will home in on any perchy threads with his usual accuracy

[Steve Walker]

There is a theory that perch snap at the tail of their quarry to slow it down and make it easier to catch.

 

I've watched 'em do it!

[Anderoo]

I've watched 'em do it!

 

They certainly do, which is why you get all those knocks and bumps before a take when spinning (exciting stuff!).

 

But what if the fish is already dead?

[Carlos the Jackal]

Anderoo, I will be initially targetting a lake, but I too am also considering giving the Thames a crack for some biggies.

 

 

I've also seen perch attacking fish from the tail, I suppose slightly incapacitating them making the final kill easier.

 

However, I have also seen them trying to take livebaits and deadbaits head first, which I believe is why they are so easy to deephook if you are not careful. Of course they often gobble all baits down deep including lobs and maggots but I believe deads are often head first hence my leaning towards tail hooking them.

 

But obviously the timing of the strike maybe different (slightly more delayed than lip hooked baits) ...perhaps...

[Dick Dastardly]

Ive had no where near the same sucsess with deads for perch as Ive had with lives or worms.Steve really rates deads so I think his answer will be more usefull.

 

With lives I do lip hook them sometimes (dependant on presentation) but the attacking/nipping the tail first is a problem.I tried using a small (size 12 or 14 treble) stuck in the tail in adition to the main hook (single) to overcome this problem.It worked to a degree but I was always concerned about this extra hook catching them in the eye or cheek.I now use rigs (when I can) that allow me to tail hook my live with a single.I use a scaled down version of the Polyball rig I use for Cats.This seems to be a lot better in that I get better hook ups and the bait "works" better.

 

As for deads then Steves the man but for what its worth I always tail hook mine as I think this helps deep hooking and seems the most logical way.

 

I delay my strike with both.Timming is crucial though to avoid deep hooking.

 

My only sugestion with your set up would be to have a longer drop on your bobbin or let the fish take a foot or two from the open bail before you strike.Trouble with a delayed strike is that it really depends on a lot of things ie size of bait and (be interested to hear Steves veiw on this) conditions.I believe that Perch take a bait (swallow it) quicker on some days than others.I feel that water temperature may be the key here?

[Anderoo]

If you're fishing a lake and not fishing too far out, I'd try a float and see how you do. Use the lightest one you can and fish it slightly overdepth to start with, with a small shot just off the bottom for early indication.

 

On the Thames, you'll be much better off with a float for the simple reason that any baits on the bottom will be mauled by crays within seconds!

 

EDIT (after reading Budgie's post): I should point out that I've never intentionally caught a perch on a deadbait, it was reading Steve's ideas that got me thinking about it. Virtually all my big perch have been caught on half a big lobworm.

Edited September 28, 2006 by Anderoo