How to catch perch with lures on the canal (with Thom Hunt)
How to catch perch with lures on the canal (with Thom Hunt)
February 17, 2024
In the pursuit of those elusive big perch, anglers often find themselves drawn to the unique challenges and rewards offered by canal fishing. Join me on this angling adventure as we explore effective searching tactics and explore how to catch perch with lures on the canal.
Back on the canal looking for big perch
The Quest Begins: Searching Tactics
In this journey, the primary goal is to uncover the strategies that lead to the prized catch of big perch. The essence lies in adopting effective searching tactics to locate these elusive predators in the canal’s waters.
Choosing the Canal: A Strategic Decision
My decision to fish in the canal is driven by a combination of recent success downstream and the canal’s resilience to the adverse effects of heavy rain. Having experienced fruitful catches further down the canal, I’ve noticed a shift in the perch’s location, prompting me to explore the next section up. Additionally, canals often prove less affected by flooding compared to other bodies of water, making them an ideal choice after a period of substantial rainfall.
I start putting in a few casts with 7cm Slick Shads
Hopes of a Reunion: Old Perch Master Thom Hunt
Anticipation builds as I might be joined by my old perch master mate, Thom Hunt, later in the session. Recently we’ve had a couple of tough sessions, heightening the stakes for a successful catch during this outing. The prospect of Thom’s expertise joining the pursuit adds a layer of excitement and camaraderie to the adventure.
Hoping for Thom to join me on the canal later in the session
Lure Rotation Strategy: Creature Baits, and Small Shads
My strategy initially involves a rotation through small creature baits and shads. I’ve recently had a fair amount of success with the little Fox Rage 7cm Slick Shad in Green Pumpkin. I’ll start by fishing them on little 2g and 3g jigheads, adapting to the preferences of the perch in the varied canal environment. Fishing anything that can be worked with a bit of pace becomes crucial in the mild weather, enabling me to cover a substantial amount of water during the search.
7cm Slick Shads by Fox Rage
Navigating the Canal: Covering Ground and Adapting Strategies
As the mild weather favours an active approach, I strategically cover a bit of water using the selected lures. Despite initial efforts on a particular stretch yielding minimal results, the journey doesn’t end there. Adapting to the dynamic nature of canal fishing, I decide to explore further up the canal, seeking new opportunities and potential hotspots. I move into a new area with instant success – maybe I’ve found them!
First fish confirms that I’ve hopefully found some perch
Thom Joins the Pursuit: A Stroke of Luck
Thom Hunt, the seasoned angler, joins me on the canal, wasting no time before delving into the fishing action. His immediate success, landing an absolute unit, serves as a testament to the effectiveness of our collective approach. What a fish! An absolute tank from the canal leaves our heads spinning!!!
Thom, he’s only been here 5 minutes!
Thom was here for 5 minutes and lands this incredible canal perch, comfortably over the 3lb mark! Confirmation that our search has eventually come good – we’ve found them!
What a perch, absolute canal tank!
The fish is returned and Thom shares a valuable tip – _“always keep moving your feet”_ – emphasising the importance of constantly covering fresh water in the pursuit of perch. Thom adds .. _“fan casting is a great technique, however, you’re always covering that piece of water directly in front of you several times over. Move your feet just a yard or so between each cast, that way each retrieve is on a completely new line”.
The Westin Shadteez hollow in Headlight
Thom shares with us the lure that did the damage – Westin ShadTeez Hollow 8cm in Headlight.
Thom continues to catch a few!
Perch on the Canal – Things Have Gone Quiet
Things had gone a bit quiet for me, I’d caught a small pike but a change was needed. I decided to fish more aggressively. The perch really weren’t feeding hard and in this scenario a crankbait can work really well. The perch arn’t feeding so let’s try and provoke a reaction strike with the 4.5′ Floating Salmo Rattlin Hornet in Pearl Shad.
I decide to switch tactics and try a few Salmo crankbaits
The fishing had become particularly tricky. Plenty of water was covered and we arrived at some lock gates, the kind of structure you’d expect to hold perch. The Rattlin Hornet was cast up towards the lock gates and gets slammed by a nice perch just as I started my retrieve.
Crank bait success, ending an epic little short canal session
A Memorable Catch and Farewell to the Canal
The canal adventure concludes with moments of excitement, good sport, and Thom’s banging perch. The camaraderie and shared triumphs make this outing memorable. As we bid farewell to the canal today, the lessons learned and the experiences gained become valuable assets for future fishing endeavors.
How to catch perch with lures on the canal – That’s a Wrap!
Thanks for reading about how to catch perch with lures on the canal. Mastering the art of catching perch with lures on the canal requires a blend of strategy, adaptability, and a bit of luck. As we wrap up this angling journey, the pursuit of big perch continues, and I look forward to sharing more tales of success and challenges in the next adventure. Until then, tight lines and happy fishing!