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how to catch perch

How to Catch Perch: Essential Tips and Techniques for Big Perch Fishing Success

Learning how to catch perch—especially big perch—on lures can be a fun and frustrating experience, requiring the combination of patience, skill, and the right setup. I’ve been lure fishing for perch for well over a decade now and during this time have failed, adapted and learned many times. I hope these tips will help you understand where to find perch, the best perch lures, and effective fishing techniques to increase your chances of catching a perch you can be proud of.

how to catch perch

Understanding Perch Habitat: Where to Catch Perch

Knowing where to catch perch is essential for success. Perch, especially larger specimens, prefer certain environments, including:

  • Structure: Perch often gather around submerged structures like rocks, fallen trees, weed beds, walls, locks and drop-offs.
  • Current Edges: Look for slow-moving water, especially near weirs, slack water areas, or eddies.
  • Seasonal Changes: In warm seasons, perch can be found all over the place, while they typically shift to deeper or more covered spots during colder months.
  • Follow Nature: Looking for and finding bite-sized fish can often lead to success. Smaller fish are a perfect food source for larger perch. They’ll follow the ‘bait fish’ as the seasons change.

Understanding these habitats will help you begin to understand the best places to catch perch and bring you closer to locating the larger specimens.

how to catch perch

Choosing the Best Lures for Perch Fishing

Selecting the right lure is crucial when learning how to catch big perch and things can change quickly so it’s useful to have the equipment and lures to make the changes when required. I’ve fished within an hour recently had a good number of perch and then the bites stopped. I changed the lure presentation and then bites then continued.

Top Lure Types to Catch Perch

  1. Soft Plastic Jigs: Grub tails, paddle tails, and creature baits in the 2.5-3 inch range are among the best lures for perch.
  2. Spinners and Spinnerbaits: These create vibration and flash, drawing perch from afar. Gold and silver are good choices, depending on light and water conditions. These are great ‘search lures’ and will help you locate perch.
  3. Crankbaits: Shallow-diving crankbaits mimic minnows and can be very effective in shallower waters. Again another excellent search lure type. Once you’ve found the perch you can adapt your lures choice and target them more effectively.
  4. Sticks & Worms: Sticks and worm lures give you the opportunity to slow things down a lot. Staying in the hotspot for longer and retrieving much slower can lead to great results.

By focusing on lure selection for perch fishing, you’ll be equipped with the right tools for various conditions.

how to catch perch

Effective Techniques for Catching Perch on Lures

Learning specific techniques for how to catch perch on lures will give you an edge, especially in areas with lots of perch activity.

Jigging Techniques

  • Lift-and-Drop: Cast out, let the jig sink, then raise it in quick, sharp motions. This mimics a struggling fish, often triggering a strike on the drop.
  • Vertical Jigging: In deeper waters or when fishing from a boat, vertical jigging gives precise control, making it a great choice for big perch fishing.

Slow Retrieval

Perch often strike during pauses. Try a slow retrieve with periodic stops to mimic a struggling baitfish. A few rig choices that can offer the opportunity to fish very slowly are the Dropshot, Ned rig and Carolina rig. A dropshot is a personal favourite of mine.

how to catch perch

Bouncing Crankbaits

When using crankbaits, bounce them off rocks or submerged structures to imitate an escaping fish—an effective way to attract larger perch.

Optimal Times to Catch Perch

Knowing when to catch perch can greatly improve your chances of success:

  • Dawn and Dusk: Perch are typically more active during these low-light periods, especially in warmer months.
  • Cold Weather: In colder months, perch move to deeper water, where heavier or slower-presented lures may work better.
  • Post-Spawn: The post-spawn period in spring is one of the best times for perch fishing as they’re more aggressive.

Choosing the Right Gear for Perch Fishing

Having the right setup for perch fishing can make all the difference. Lightweight rods, thin braided main line, fluorocarbon leader and quality lures are key components.

  • Rod: A 5-7 foot light or ultralight rod with fast action offers precision and control, making it ideal for perch fishing. There’s a wide range of light lure rods available, from versatile all-round options to specialized models tailored for specific perch techniques. For an entry-level choice, the Fox Warrior range is a solid option, while a mid-to-high range pick would be something like the Westin series. The Westin TnC, in particular, is a versatile rod suited to almost any lure presentation and truly shines when using Texas or Carolina rigged lures.
  • Reel: While everyone has their own preferred reel size, a 1000-2500 sized spinning reel is a solid choice that suits most needs. For an entry-level option, the Daiwa Ninja offers excellent value, while the Shimano Vanford is among the top-rated choices for those seeking high performance.
  • Line: Lure anglers often opt for a braided mainline when targeting perch, as it provides better bite sensitivity. While some prefer a full fluorocarbon mainline, I recommend sticking with braid for its user-friendly handling. Adding a fluorocarbon leader helps reduce visibility, giving you the best of both worlds.
  • Lures: Go prepared with a versatile selection of lures—think of them as tools in your fishing kit. A few varieties within each lure type can be all you need to adapt to different conditions. Being able to switch things up is key, and there’s nothing worse than finding yourself without the right lure when you need it.

Tips for Success: Patience and Adaptability

Patience is essential when learning how to catch perch, as they can be finicky. Observe what’s working and be willing to adjust your approach. Trying different lure colours and sizes can make a huge difference, especially if perch seem inactive.

I’ve noticed a few patterns when fishing for perch: areas with lots of smaller perch rarely yield the larger specimens, and if they do, it’s usually just one or two. Quieter spots with fewer bites often lead to bigger perch. A “less is more” approach also makes a difference—I’ve been guilty of adding too much action to lures in the past. While this can attract aggressive predators, perch often strike when a lure is falling or resting on the riverbed. Don’t hesitate to stop and pause; sometimes, that’s all it takes to draw in a larger perch.

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Steve Evans
Steve Evans

Founder & Chief Editor of Predator Fishing World. Steve has been predator fishing for well over a decade. During this time he has mainly fished for pike, chub and a very strong addition to perch fishing.