Another great week for specimen perch

Matt Atkins 4lb 13oz perch

Matt Atkins’ phenomenal run of big perch continued during a recent session on an undisclosed southern venue when he landed this 4lb 13oz stripey.

The big sergeant has upped Matt’s tally to 10 fish of 4lb or more this season, topped by two over 5lb.

The keen specimen hunter said: “I changed my approach for this fish, which was the only bite I had during a late afternoon session following a freezing morning.”

The fish was caught on a 3ins roach deadbait fished on an ultra-light leger set-up.

Keith Gurney 4lb perch

A Bedfordshire river provided a run of big perch for Keith Gurney, topped by this 4lb giant. The fish was just one of six stripeys over the 2lb mark caught by Keith over a week-long period. 

The 45-year-old factory worker told Angling Times: “Never having had a three-pounder, I was pleased to pull the net up around a 3lb 3oz fish. Things then got much better when I revisited the spot with the lure rod.”

A Fire Tiger pattern Spikey Shad lure brought about the downfall of the four-pounder.