5lb 4oz perch falls to a lure

A fry-imitation lure has accounted for one of the biggest perch of the season in the form of this 5lb 4oz specimen. 

It fell to Z-man and St Croix-backed lure fanatic Paul Parnell from Thames Water’s Farmoor Reservoir, and is his third perch over the 5lb barrier from the Oxfordshire venue.

Having found a shoal of sticklebacks on his fish-finder, Paul cast a pearl Z-man Finesse Shad among them and didn’t have long to wait before it was engulfed by something huge. 

He told Angling Times: “I knew when I struck that it was a good fish – it held bottom and shook its head several times to try and lose the hook. 

“Trout normally take off at the speed of light so I knew this wasn’t one, which made me more eager than ever to get it to the surface. 

“When it did, I scooped it as quickly as I could and sat back in awe, as the perch filled the whole net.”

Paul’s catch equalled his personal best for the species and was 48cm long. Before hooking into the five-pounder he’d taken four other perch – two in the 3lb bracket and two of 4lb-plus. 

“I’ve caught three fives and 20 over 4lb now – I’ve had no greater success at any other venue. 

“I can’t stress how important a fishfinder is – once you’ve found the baitfish the perch aren’t far behind. 

“Use natural lure patterns and you’ll catch.”

Paul took all five of his perch on a St Croix Legend Extreme rod coupled with a Shimano 2000 Vanquish reel loaded with 15lb Seaguar braid.