Two mile move nets fine stripey
Ash Costa carried his impressive form for big perch into the new year when he slipped his net under this chunky 4lb 4oz specimen.
The Lincolnshire-based lure ace banked several massive stripeys to just over 5lb from his local drains in 2019 and managed to locate another shoal of big fish during his latest adventure.
After catching a pike and a host of 3lb-plus perch next to a sunken tree, Ash moved two miles upstream to another prolific spot and only had to wait 20 minutes before his Cheb-rigged TRD was smashed.
Location vital for 7lb-plus perch brace
PHIL Taylor’s watercraft had a huge part to play in the capture of this stunning brace of perch weighing 3lb 4oz and 3lb 14oz.
All of the rivers close to his Lincolnshire home had suffered as a result of persistent rain but he refused to be beaten, heading to a Midlands marina offering sanctuary to the shoals.
He said:
“The fish were sat in a slightly deeper area of the marina and once I found them it was clear there were a lot of them huddled together and ready to feed.
“So many anglers are avoiding rivers all together because of the torrid conditions but I ended the day with four fish over 3lb.
“It’s all down to location – find them and you’ll have as much chance as ever.”
Each of Phil’s perch fell to lobworms fished via a drop-shot rig.
Fry's the limit for 4lb 10oz perch
“IT WAS without doubt the best-looking perch I’d ever seen!” – these are the words of lure fanatic Chris Lowe who was left feeling delighted with the capture of a stunning 4lb 10oz specimen.
It was a new personal best for the 39-year-old although he had a much smaller perch to thank for his catch, as he explained further…
“The section of the River Thames I was fishing was in flood at the time and I was targeting the slacks with a crayfish-imitation lure.
“I spent far too long using this method with only one perch to show for my efforts, however that fish changed the game.
“It was a plump two-pounder but it coughed up a load of two-inch fry in my net.”
Being a fan of ‘matching the hatch’, Chris switched to a 7cm Fox Rage Slick Shad lure in pearl colour which completely transformed the rest of his session.
He added:
“Almost immediately I hooked into a big fish and I knew it was a special perch straight away.
“It put up a fantastic fight and when I got it in the net I couldn’t believe how pristine it was.
“I lost another on the very next cast which looked like a very big three, at least before it spat the hook at the net.
“I can’t complain though as I left with a new PB and enjoyed what was probably the best few hours of fishing I’ve ever had.”
Chris Lowe’s top three tips for river perching
Fish to key features
Snags, jetties, crease lines, boat moorings and slacks are perch hotspots – especially in flooded conditions.
Change it up
Make regular lure changes varying the sizes, colours and types of lures you want to use. Alternate your retrieve speeds too – often fishing tight to the deck with long pauses will produce the better fish. Don’t ignore crankbait fishing during the early part of the winter whilst it’s still mild.
Grind it out!
If the perch are in the area, you’ll generally know about it quickly. However, on some days in swims that you know have good form you’ll have to dig deep, especially on pressured venues. So stick at it and fish the swim thoroughly before moving on to the next.
Canal marinas a haven for big perch
BEST mates Silviu Stoica and Tiberius Cautis have revealed the pulling-power of canal marinas after they banked a flurry of big perch during their latest outing.
By working 7cm paddle-tail shads slow across the bottom, the pair managed to bank several perch to just under 3lb.
Silviu told Angling Times:
“We’ve been on a constant chase in the cold and rain this winter for a perch hotspot and luckily we found that marinas on the Grand Union Canal can be a very good shelter for these big-bellied fish!
“On this occasion the perch were absolutely smashing the lures and they each put up an excellent scrap.”