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northampton rubber slinger - perch fishing on the canal

A Morning Perch Fishing on the Canal: Small Lures, Big Rewards

With the rivers out of action, I decided to switch gears and head to the canal for a morning session before the boat traffic picked up. I’ve got to say, it was a stunning morning—crisp air, a bit chilly to start, but the mist rising off the water with the sun cutting through made it absolutely worth it. One of those perfect moments where nature sets the stage before you even make your first cast.

northampton rubber slinger - perch fishing on the canal

For today’s session, I kept things simple. My goal? Just to get bites. I opted for smaller lures, and my weapon of choice was the Leach from NineSeven Tungsten. I knew once I got a few hits, I could dial in the retrieve and speed to figure out what the fish wanted. And boy, did they start hitting.

northampton rubber slinger - perch fishing on the canal

The amount of fish I missed at first was crazy! I’m guessing they were all smaller fish just nipping at the lure because none of them really committed. But once I slowed everything down, it was a game-changer. I started landing fish more consistently.

northampton rubber slinger - perch fishing on the canal

Now, for the heartbreak: I lost something pretty big right at my feet. No idea what it was because I didn’t even get a glimpse of it. That’s perch fishing on the canal, though—sometimes the ones you lose stick with you longer than the ones you catch.

northampton rubber slinger - perch fishing on the canal

I moved further up the canal and found the perch. Working the lure down the side of a boat, I felt that solid thump you always hope for. It turned out to be the best perch of the session, a nice 32 cm. Not a monster, but definitely a welcome catch. Just a few casts later, another solid hit. This one put up a proper fight, stripping line like a champ. When I finally brought it in, I was amazed—another chunky perch just under 37 cm.

northampton rubber slinger - perch fishing on the canal

After snapping a few pics, my session was wrapped up. It’s funny to think that on previous outings, throwing bigger lures in these same spots hasn’t brought me nearly as much success. Downsizing the lure really made the session for me. The bites kept coming, and it was a blast from start to finish.

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Chris Lyon
Chris Lyon

Sharing my adventures of lure fishing along the English rivers and canals.