Hooking Deadbaits for Perch

[Steve Burke]

I haven't been lucky enough to watch perch take deadbaits on more than a handful of occasions. However each time they were taken head first. The sample size was too small though to say that anything other than small deads are always taken head first, but I expect they are in the majority of cases.

 

Experience has shown me that each perch water is different when it comes to deadbaits. For this reason you'll need to experiment to find out what hooking arrangement is best on your's. However the smaller the bait the more I’m inclined to tail hook it.

 

One thing that's common to all waters though is that small deadbaits are often wolfed down very quickly. For this reason it's important to strike especially quickly to avoid deep hooking when using small deadbaits. Also, in general deadbaits are taken quicker than livebaits. However you may be striking too quickly, Carlos, if you're missing fish. Of course there could be a multitude of other reasons too, including too short a hooklength or too light a ledger/paternoster weight or too small a hook. For safety reasons I’d therefore try these first before delaying striking.

 

Rigwise, like Anderoo, I always use a float for perch fishing whenever I can. This keeps any change of resistance to a minimum. I don't use any special floats, just the same one as I'd use for other baits. For instance on a stillwater it would be a waggler attached bottom end only. The sole difference compared with fishing worm would be that I've have more of the tip showing so that I can read a take better.

 

When ledgering or paternostering I use slightly modified versions of the rigs I wrote about in this article: http://anglers-net.co.uk/authors/steve01.htm The important point is that I'll usually be using a heavy lead so that it stays put on a take and the indicator moves instead. Should the lead move the fish will feel it, and probably drop the bait. Alternatively, and especially on a river, I’d use a weight that only just holds bottom.

 

As for indicators, for small baits I usually use a home-made bobbin incorporating a Gardner line clip that’s attached to a bankstick by a length of stiff line. To the line I add sufficient shot to balance any undertow. For large baits I use an open bail arm so that the fish can run with the bait. The indicator is a Fox Pike Swinger but I replace the Fox line clip with a Gardner one. See my field test at http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/Tackle-And-Bai...ke_swinger.html I’d add that there’s now a newer version at a lower price with a supposedly better line clip. Not having handled one I can’t comment though. In each case the rods are pointing as nearly as possible at the baits, and set up high so that I have the option of a long drop on a bobbin if required.

 

I'd add that sea deads are next to useless for perch on most waters. Freshwater deads, whole or in half, are far superior.

 

However, on every water I've given them a proper try I've caught on deads, and they're particularly productive on coloured venues. The average size is bigger too. It's not just that small perch are avoided. Deads do seem to pick up more than their fair share of 3lb+ perch. See another article of mine at http://anglers-net.co.uk/authors/steve10.htm

Edited September 29, 2006 by Steve Burke

[Andy_1984]

heres the beuty i caught on a deadbait, i was trying to catch pike imagine my surprise when this surfaced.

 

ledgering deadbait with bailarm open with the fox swinger using broonie i caught out the loch. hooked at tail and about 5" above tail. took it head first.

 

2lb 9oz

 

 

any other time ive heard of perch taking deadbaits its been head first, also my mate found a small dead perch with a smaller dead perch cramed down its throaght.... head first

Edited September 28, 2006 by Andy_1984

[Steve Burke]

One thing I forgot to add is that when unhooking perch the deadbait has almost always been taken head first. Those few deadbaits that haven't have invariably been small. Of course, whether the deadbait is picked up head first is another matter. It might not be in a competitive situation when the perch has got to grap the deadbait quickly or lose it.

Edited September 29, 2006 by Steve Burke

[Carlos the Jackal]

Thanks everyone for your replies and advice.

 

Steve, my hooklengths are generally about 15 inches long, size 6 Super Specialists (barbed) and Soft Steel 10lb wire. Also, as I fish at a range beyond easy float fishing, I tend to use a running 2oz lead on a low resistance run ring.

 

I think I will continue to hook up with one single in the tail root, but I will try slightly larger deadbaits - around 5 inches if I can catch these - though this often proves trouble enough!!! (especially as the weather cools down).

 

I may also try increasing the drop on the bobbin. Hopefully this will ensure a better hook-up rate while minimising any deep hooking.

 

If I have any notable successes with these changes I shall let you know.

 

Just to say, I think it's great that I've had so many replies from everyone - often new posters struggle for replies as is often the case on some other websites. Many thanks.

[Steve Burke]

Carlos, when using 5" or bigger deadbaits I'd suggest you start with a slightly longer hooklength than 15". Each water is different and it's best to start on the short side to minimise deep hooking. However in general the bigger the bait the longer it takes to be swallowed, and so I vary my hooklength accordingly. Thus the bigger the bait, the longer the hooklength I'll start with. I'd also start with a longer hooklength with lives as these have to be subdued first, plus it gives them more freedom of movement.

 

Good luck! Be sure to tell us how you get on.

[corydoras]

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.l

I hook through the eye sockets. In one eye and out the other.

[gozzer]

I hook through the eye sockets. In one eye and out the other.

 

Doesn't that give you a headache cory'?

[corydoras]

Doesn't that give you a headache cory'?

No mate. I got the idea from Newt. This was his reply to a similar question a while back. I tried it and it works too.