Perch frenzy sees 13 landed in 90 minutes

The predator fishing potential of canals has again been highlighted this week following the capture of a mammoth haul of perch.
Matthew Perring enjoyed a session of a lifetime during a short lure fishing trip on a day-ticket stretch of the Oxford Canal.
The Ecogear-sponsored, Banbury all-rounder, achieved the staggering haul during a manic 90 minutes spent on the cut, which saw him land 13 perch over 2lb topped by a 2lb 14oz specimen.
Matt targeted a swim he had never previously fished, only making a chance cast into the peg after spotting small silverfish topping while walking past.
 “I was on my way to another area where I normally go, but thought I’d have a cast after seeing all those small silvers surfacing,” he said.
“Within seconds, I was playing my first fish of the session and then it just snowballed from there. It was incredible how many fish there were in a small space.”
Matt, who also banked five zander to just under 5lb during the session, caught all his fish using a 3ins Ecogear Rock Claw lure, mounted on a 5g jig head and size 2/0 hook.
Having already landed numerous perch to over 4lb this year, Matt is no stranger to big fish but he admitted he had never experienced a session like it and hopes the catch will encourage others to head to their local canal.
“I have achieved multiple catches of perch over 3lb on the River Thames before, but to haul out this many fish of this size on a canal is special,” he continued.
“I am hoping this catch proves just how good the UK canal systems can be.”