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Float fishing for perch - frequency of casting


The Flying Tench

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It is often said that perch like a moving bait, but when I have fished for them in the past, unless I am lure fishing, my bait has usually been static. I had a brief session today, and my first 2 bites were immediately after the cast, ie they took it 'on the drop'. Then there was little action on the static prawns I was fishing, so I decided to cast quite regularly, about every 5 minutes. (An additional thought from my recent foray into ultralite fishing was that, when fishing plastics, they also often take on the drop or immediately after.) I can't say the frequent casting resulted in any more fish, partly because I didn't stay long as 'rain stopped play'. But it had me wondering - when float or ledger fishing for perch, should I give some movement to the bait?

 

Do those who regularly fish for perch have an views on this? How regularly do you cast? And do you twitch the bait or impart movement in any way?

john clarke

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Movement can be good, but there is no hard and fast timing regulations. When there are few bites sometimes a small sacrifice to the goddess of the lake works. Or try gazing into the water and communing with the spirit of the fish. Or move location, change depth and significantly try a different bait. I have heard about perch taking prawns, it seems to be mostly on those commercial type places. I wouldn't feel much confidence on a static one just suspended in the water. in a wild lake, perhaps I am wrong but I have never felt the need to try them. Our perch baits move themselves, live fish, or if they are out due to rules or availability large lively lobs, but of course they are not really selective enough..

"Some people hear their inner voices with such clarity that they live by what they hear, such people go crazy, but they become legends"
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John,

 

I often find the same. I use the pole so I can move the bait a tiny bit or lift it vertically and drop it very slowly.

 

One tip I'd say. Fish till dark and fish very close in as it gets darker. Don't be scared to try right under your feet even if you haven't fed anything. As it gets dark I start casting all over the swim away from the baited area "looking" for fish. If I don't get a bite within 1 minute I move it. I have caught some of my biggest perch 2ft from the bank nowhere near the baited area.

 

Rich

Edited by Kappa
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Movement can be good, but there is no hard and fast timing regulations. When there are few bites sometimes a small sacrifice to the goddess of the lake works. Or try gazing into the water and communing with the spirit of the fish. Or move location, change depth and significantly try a different bait. I have heard about perch taking prawns, it seems to be mostly on those commercial type places. I wouldn't feel much confidence on a static one just suspended in the water. in a wild lake, perhaps I am wrong but I have never felt the need to try them. Our perch baits move themselves, live fish, or if they are out due to rules or availability large lively lobs, but of course they are not really selective enough..

 

Yep, I think the appeal of prawns on commercials is probably a better degree of selectivity than lobs and fish baits often being banned. But another factor making prawns a good bait may be the presence of signal crays - the lakes are still free of that pest aren't they?

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Wow! 'Communing' etc. Not sure to what extent this is a turn of phrase , but I can only agree that it's vital not to lose the mystical element of fishing. Blending with, feeling part of nature, appreciating the beauty of the fish and the surroundings. As a member of the 'Crabtree generation' it's a big part of what fishing is about for me, though there's always the risk of losing it through getting too immersed in minor practicalities.

Movement can be good, but there is no hard and fast timing regulations. When there are few bites sometimes a small sacrifice to the goddess of the lake works. Or try gazing into the water and communing with the spirit of the fish. Or move location, change depth and significantly try a different bait. I have heard about perch taking prawns, it seems to be mostly on those commercial type places. I wouldn't feel much confidence on a static one just suspended in the water. in a wild lake, perhaps I am wrong but I have never felt the need to try them. Our perch baits move themselves, live fish, or if they are out due to rules or availability large lively lobs, but of course they are not really selective enough..

john clarke

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Thanks for interesting comments, particularly relevant from Kappa as I know he fishes the same lake - which as far as I know, Steve, is still free of crays.

 

But Phone and Emma talk of moving swim. This is standard practice, I know, on some canals. But what about lakes? I've never noticed perch anglers moving from swim on lakes unless they were lure fishing. But it would be interesting to hear from anyone who does this, when it works etc

john clarke

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John,

 

From mid afetrnoon onwards and especially as it approachs dusk moving is a good idea. I don't do it often but if I don't I'm on fish or not enough fish I move. My advice, if its within 2hrs of dark and you aren't catching cast somewhere else or move swim...

 

Rich

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Though I don't specialise in Perch fishing, maybe a good alternative to prawns could be Crayfish tails - ready cooked ones from the supermarket, They come in a similar pack to the ready cooked prawns but have much stronger flavour - thus more scent!!

 

They look more like brown shrimp but much bigger.

 

When carp fishing with either, I Invariably fish them on a "QUICKSTOP" hair rig which gives better presentation than just hooking them IMO.

Fishin' - "Best Fun Ya' can 'ave wi' Ya' Clothes On"!!

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I like to keep some movement in the water - either by regular recasting, or by fishing a static bait and trickling in some maggot and chopped worm over the top on a match angler style "little and often" basis.

 

I'll also move swims regularly if I'm not seeing signs of activity or bites

 

Mat

 

P.S. Martin56 - it's illegal to use crayfish from any source as bait in the UK

Mat

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