Two 'species' of perch?

[The Flying Tench]

I was well chuffed to get a pb and my first 3lb perch yesterday. 3lb 3oz. Sheer luck as I was fishing for roach and dace on a maggot feeder. Still, we all need a bit of luck sometimes!

 

But it was an unusual perch. When I first saw it in the water I thought it was a bream. Very fat and, particularly, deep. It also had a pronounced 'hog's back' very close to the head. I remember reading an article a few years ago which mentioned perch with this 'hog's back' (I hope that's the right term) which suggested they were in some respects like another (new) species, achieving bigger than average weights.

 

I just wondered whether those who catch more big perch than me found that a high proportion of them were of the hog back variety?

[Leon Roskilly]

I was well chuffed to get a pb and my first 3lb perch yesterday. 3lb 3oz. Sheer luck as I was fishing for roach and dace on a maggot feeder. Still, we all need a bit of luck sometimes!

 

But it was an unusual perch. When I first saw it in the water I thought it was a bream. Very fat and, particularly, deep. It also had a pronounced 'hog's back' very close to the head. I remember reading an article a few years ago which mentioned perch with this 'hog's back' (I hope that's the right term) which suggested they were in some respects like another (new) species, achieving bigger than average weights.

 

I just wondered whether those who catch more big perch than me found that a high proportion of them were of the hog back variety?

 

 

On waters with a large head of perch, most will stay insectivorous, whilst others become cannabilistic predators dining on their smaller brethren.

 

The lifestyle each chooses at an early age will determine it's eventual size and shape.

 

But they are both exactly the same species (a bit like us really, those who work in an office starting out as weedy, later paunchy individuals, whereas those with a more manual occupation grow large muscles and six packs, and eventually sagging wrinkled skin!)

[dogstick]

On waters with a large head of perch, most will stay insectivorous, whilst others become cannabilistic predators dining on their smaller brethren.

 

The lifestyle each chooses at an early age will determine it's eventual size and shape.

 

But they are both exactly the same species (a bit like us really, those who work in an office starting out as weedy, later paunchy individuals, whereas those with a more manual occupation grow large muscles and six packs, and eventually sagging wrinkled skin!)

 

 

Well thought out reply

[Guest Rabbit]

I was well chuffed to get a pb and my first 3lb perch yesterday. 3lb 3oz. Sheer luck as I was fishing for roach and dace on a maggot feeder. Still, we all need a bit of luck sometimes!

 

But it was an unusual perch. When I first saw it in the water I thought it was a bream. Very fat and, particularly, deep. It also had a pronounced 'hog's back' very close to the head. I remember reading an article a few years ago which mentioned perch with this 'hog's back' (I hope that's the right term) which suggested they were in some respects like another (new) species, achieving bigger than average weights.

 

I just wondered whether those who catch more big perch than me found that a high proportion of them were of the hog back variety?

Nice one John, no luck there, right time right method obviously. Was it a Kennet Perch?

[Andy_1984]

It also had a pronounced 'hog's back' very close to the head.

 

like this one

 

2lb 9oz

 

well done for the 3lb'r i aint crossed that barrier yet, completely amazing fish i love big perch

Edited December 6, 2006 by Andy_1984

[Chris Plumb]

I was well chuffed to get a pb and my first 3lb perch yesterday. 3lb 3oz. Sheer luck as I was fishing for roach and dace on a maggot feeder. Still, we all need a bit of luck sometimes!

 

Hey you don't need an excuse for a fish like that - I bet you were over the moon - well done...

 

 

C.

 

(any pics?)

[The Flying Tench]

Thanks for kind comments. No pics. It was from a stretch of flowing canal (Kennet and Avon) full of 4 oz dace.

[Guest Brumagem Phil]

Andy....get yer frikkin hair cut!!!

[Andy_1984]

Andy....get yer frikkin hair cut!!!

 

Never! dont ever let the man put you down, freedom of speech n stuff

Edited December 7, 2006 by Andy_1984

[BoozleBear]

Congrats! I fish The K&A canal myself, often around the Bedwyn area.

 

Where about were you?

 

Simon