For most the perch is the first fish they catch as a child, and their vibrant colours can make them a lifelong favourite. Despite the emergence of modern lure techniques, perch baits have remained relatively unchanged over time. and the old classics are just as good as ever, and this guide will talk you through all the best baits to target them...
Worms
Worms have to be the go to bait in your bait bag. The wet weather conditions can make it particularly easy to collect lobworms from the garden, making them a cost effective choice. To ensure their freshness, store them in a large tub filled with leaf litter and damp compost, keeping them in a cool place like the shed or garage floor for several weeks. Note, keep a lid on them as during darkness they like to explore they don’t get the name nightcrawlers for nothing.
When theweather turns exceptionally cold, switching to dendrobaenas, smaller, commercially available worms. These worms are tougher and easier to keep than lobworms, although they may not be as effective as a whole lob. However, chopped up dendrobaenas can be a useful loosefeed to attract all fish. Additionally, feeding the soil they come in, which contains worm casts, can also attract fish.
THE BEST SPINNG REELS WILL ENABLE YOU TO EMPLOY A VARIETY OF TECHNIQUES TO CATCH PERCH.
Live/dead baits
Fortargeting larger specimens, a small livebait is often the most effective option. Perch that grow into monsters are typically primarily fish-eating predators. The rise in the prevalence of signal crayfish has influenced their diet in some waters, a fish around four inches long remains a great perch bait. Roach, rudd, and gudgeon are common choices, but gudgeon are particularly effective if you can catch them.
The only drawback to using fish baits is the potential for unwanted attention from pike. If pike are present in the area, a light wire trace is essential to protect your bait and prevent been bitten off. While livebaits are generally more effective than deadbaits in most venues, it's worth trying both to see what works best.
PREDATORS LOVE A DEADBAIT CHECK OUR GUIDE TO HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT DEADBAIT.
Raw Prawns
Raw prawns can be a hit-or-miss bait for perch, but when they work, they can be a highly effective way to target larger specimens. While you might assume they would be most effective in venues with crayfish, this isn't always the case. They often perform better in commercial fisheries.
The best strategy is to start with a lobworm to confirm that fish are present and feeding. If you start catching perch on the lobworm, switch to a prawn. This way, you will be able to determine if the lack of bites is due to the bait or the absence of fish.
When prawns prove effective, they can be a powerful tool for selecting the largest perch. Prawns are easy to cut to size, using a tail section about the size of a thumbnail as a starting point.
Chopped-up prawns can also be added to your feed, but remember, they are a rich bait and can easily lead to overfeeding. By using prawns strategically, you can increase your chances of landing a specimen perch.
PERCH FISHING CAN BE A WAITING GAME, SIT COMFORTABLY ON ONE OF THE BEST FISHING CHAIRS.
Maggots
Maggots are a highly effective bait for perch fishing, loved by both small and large fish. In venues with low fish stocks, maggots can be an excellent choice to attract and entice bites.
For feeder fishing, especially at long distances, a bunch of maggots is a great option, but equally as effective presented beneath a float against cover and structure. However, maggots can also attract smaller fish, which can be frustrating if you're targeting larger perch. Even if you're not using maggots as your hookbait, incorporating them into your feed can be beneficial.
The key to using maggots effectively is to feed them little and often. A pinch every few minutes will attract and hold perch without overfeeding them.
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