Devon's Clawford Lakes has given yet another angler the perch of a lifetime this past week, when Carl Salisbury landed this 5lb 1oz giant.
Travelling all the way from his home in Staffordshire as a birthday treat, Carl had done all his research before the trip and knew he needed to head to Lodge Lake on arrival.
"I settled into a spot just off an island where there were overhanging branches dropping in the water and a depth of around 4ft - a perfect spot for perch!," he told us.
Baiting with scalded Krill pellets, dead red maggots, chopped prawns and a fishmeal groundbait, Carl them presented floatfished prawns over the top.
LURES ARE ALSO A GREAT TACTIC FOR BIG PERCH. HERE ARE THE BEST LURES TO USE FOR THEM.
"Having lost two fish to hookpulls the first evening, I was keen to get back to the water at first light the following day.
"Just before 8am the float on my lefthand rod slid away and I struck into a powerful fish.
"I kept my 13ft match rod low and applied as much pressure as I dared.
"As it approached, I caught a glimpse of a red tail in the murky water and thought it might be a perch.
"This was soon confirmed – it was indeed a perch, and a huge one at that!
"Twice I tried to get it up on the surface, but each time it dived back down.
"At my third attempt, though, the fight was up, and I guided the fish over the net.
“I peered down and it looked truly massive, something that was confirmed when the needle of my scales swung round to 5lb 1oz – a dream perch that smashed my previous best of 3lb 11oz."
WANT AN EPIC FISHING HOLIDAY? HERE ARE SOME OFTHE BEST UK CARP VENUES TO BOOK A TRIP.
This page is a free example of the amazing content Angling Times Members get every single week. Becoming an Angling Times Member gives you access to award-winning magazine content, member rewards, our back issue archives, bonus content and more! Join our fishing community and find out more today!