perch

[al84]

well just bookd up lake for 23rd looking to catch a whooping perch any tips? obv getting the worm on hook just looking at set up ect and hopefully pull a carp out weather be good plzzzzzz.thanks to peeps for any replys

[the pyromaniac]

Use small fish for bait... In my experience with North American yellow perch that's the most reliable way to catch big ones........

[northern eye]

A worm would work but why not try a bunch of em on a ledger rig with maybe a size 8 - 10 hook....or use a small maggot feeder instead of a bomb. The maggots will attract the smaller fish which in turn will attract the big perch who, if all goes to plan, will find your big juicy bunch of worms and gobble em up. If your lucky a carp mite show an interest and definately a big bream will take worms so you have plenty of options should the perch not show. Alternatively, red maggots, again bunched onto the hook or a hair rig/ring set up, will work for perch. I used this rig back in February when I caught my PB perch of 2 pounds. Use a smaller hook, maybe 12/14 for the maggots though - otherwise they will burst when hooking and shrivvel up in the water. If you look in the carp fishing section of your tackle shop you will find special pointed rings to fix to a hair rig, upon which you can thread your maggots, if using this rig I would drop to size 16 hook. Choose swims with plenty of features such as tree roots or fallen trees in the water or overhanging banks, this is where the bigs ones will be lurking. Bait up the swim with a few red maggots and chopped up worms and then just sit and wait. I didn't get my big un' until just after dusk. You will be hassled by bites from small stuff, especially if using maggots but a big bunch of worms will keep em at bay and stay on the hook well if you need to recast. Good luck!!

[Jords]

Im looking for big perch tips aswell!? Unfortunately the last time i went fishing for perch my girlfriend came along, i set myself up with a maggot feeder with a popped up lobworm and left my rod, to set up my girlfriends! i set her with a very basic float rod, with a 3bb wagler and size 16 hook and double maggot (jus to keep her occupied with the littlens while i concentrate on my rod) she shouts me over 5 minutes later saying ( its a big scary fish!) i landed it and it happened to be a 2lb 9oz perch which is 1lb 4oz bigger than my record!

[the pyromaniac]

Over here they really like mummichogs and killifish, as well as goldfish, basically any soft-rayed fish. It seems that's the best way to get the big ones.

[the pyromaniac]

Double post. Keep it moving. Nothing to see here.

[BoldBear]

Don't ignore the margins, I have caught more big Perch in the Margins than anywhere else; especially in small bays or corners where the shoal can herd and trap a shoal of small fry.

[Jords]

Originally Posted by BoldBear

Don't ignore the margins, I have caught more big Perch in the Margins than anywhere else; especially in small bays or corners where the shoal can herd and trap a shoal of small fry.

Im actually fishing just off of a weir where the water calms down and there is alot of man made walls and deep margins so sounds perfect cheers mate:) im going with my brother whos going right into the weir for the barbel and seeing your picture with a big barbel what hook size would you advise on a hair rig?

[BoldBear]

Originally Posted by Jords

Im actually fishing just off of a weir where the water calms down and there is alot of man made walls and deep margins so sounds perfect cheers mate:)

The margins where you are going to try for Perch sound Ideal.

Originally Posted by Jords

im going with my brother whos going right into the weir for the barbel and seeing your picture with a big barbel what hook size would you advise on a hair rig?

For Barbel I use short shanked hooks from as small as 14's up to size 4's depending on the size of bait I am using and how wise the Barbel are.
I prefer teflon coated hooks which are far less shiny and don't blunt so easily over gravel and rocks, but make sure you regularly check their sharpness.

[Droppenfish]

Why not try a few lures for the perch ? small soft shads and mepps spinners are great perch catchers in weir pools.

For the barbel you need to suit the hook to the bait...will he be using halibut pellets ?