fbpx

We're looking for Writers! Contact Us

Surface Fishing for Perch: Techniques and Tips with Hayden Seabrook

With summer finally arriving in the UK and waters warming up nationwide, we’re starting to see some epic summer perch captures when surface fishing for perch.

The most thrilling way to fish for perch during the warmer months is undoubtedly on the surface. This method is genuinely heart-stopping — from the moment a wake appears behind your lure to seeing the perch right behind it and, hopefully, feeling that connection!

Introduction

I’ve met up with Hayden Seabrook twice now with the intention of catching some monster perch. The conditions on these two days couldn’t have been more different. On our first outing, a sudden summer downpour, which had been persistent over a few days, dumped so much water into the rivers that the initial spots were unfishable. This forced us to switch plans, targeting Zander instead on a different stretch of the river, with a soaking for good measure.

Our second meeting was much more successful. It was a hot day—maybe too hot—but the venues Hayden had in mind were almost perfect. The plan was to hit various spots along the river using nothing but surface lures until we landed a few perch. 

Hayden Seabrook with an impressive perch caught off the top.
Hayden with another very respectable surface lure-caught perch

Hayden kindly guided and tutored, allowing me to learn from him cast by cast. I’ve never had much success targeting perch on the surface; while the smaller, aggressive ones will chase almost anything, getting the big perch to react, chase, and take the lure was what I wanted to understand. And what better way to learn than with the help of someone who has managed to catch some epic perch on the surface?

How did the day go for fishing for perch on the surface?

When learning a new technique, instant success is rare, and this outing was no exception. Instead of concentrating solely on catching fish, we prioritised mastering the correct form. Our focus was on working the lure across the river’s surface, perfecting the action needed to entice a perch to rise and strike. 

We began the day using a lure Hayden has found highly effective: the Ceana Pencil (11cm) from Major Craft, a stickbait designed for a walk-the-dog surface action. This lure is easy to manoeuvre, even for a novice like myself. Our first spot didn’t yield any bites, likely due to either unresponsive fish or their absence. So, we moved on.

The MajorCraft Ceana Pencil.

The second location presented different environmental factors. This river was much wider, featuring ample structure, a mix of fast and slow-moving water, and crucially, plenty of shade on a hot day for Perch. The slow water with the shaded wall seemed a good place to begin. 

Working the lure tight to the wall in a walk-the-dog style seemed irresistible to any lurking fish. I stood at the end of this feature, with Hayden following behind as I worked the lure back towards myself. It didn’t take long for the technique to reveal what was hiding below. I saw a fish rise and swipe at the lure, and Hayden, now much closer to the action, shouted, “Big perch! Big perch!” But as quickly as we saw it, it vanished. The fish were clearly interested but not committing.

Undeterred, I cast the lure again eventually switching up to a Gunki Hedorah Popper in 4cm, This was a smaller lure and had a different action on the surface. Another perch followed, only to shy away at the last moment. The excitement of seeing these fish react was thrilling, and I couldn’t be frustrated amidst all the action. Watching any perch follow the lure is exhilarating, but seeing them react and chase, especially big ones, is one of the most exciting ways to fish for perch.

Successful surface fishing for Perch

On my third cast, Hayden suggested imparting a more aggressive action to the lure. Despite my instinct to slow down, I did the opposite, and it paid off. This time, a perch struck, and I was hooked up. It wasn’t the big perch that had initially shown interest, but it was a decent catch for my first targeted surface-caught perch.

A perch off the top – my first one when actively trying for it.

Once we took photos and measured the fish, we swiftly returned it to the river. We continued fishing in that section, and when the bites dried up, we switched to alternative methods, such as jigs, to thoroughly cover the area. We caught more perch before moving on to a third spot.

Knowing when to ring the changes

At the third spot, we repeated our approach, starting with surface lures to attract any hungry perch that might be willing to chase. After we were confident we had either caught the eager ones or determined they weren’t interested, we switched tactics. Based on our earlier observations of larger perch approaching the surface lure to never be seen again, I opted for a jig head paired with a black Keitech Swing Impact Fat lure to fully cover the area along the bottom.

When the surface action quietens up – change to fishing the bottom for continued action.

Shortly after the lure touched down, I hooked a decent perch. Meanwhile, Hayden continued with the surface lures, managing to catch a few small perch, known as “wasp perch,” and even a pike that took a swipe at his lure.

Lessons learned when surface fishing for Perch

The key takeaway from this session was the importance of persistence and confidence. If you know perch inhabit a given area, it’s more about ‘waking them up’ for the chase than assuming the area is devoid of fish. Hayden knows his spots well, and his confidence in knowing when to persist and when to switch tactics is what I believe makes him an excellent lure angler.

Of course, technique, quality lures, and good tackle are crucial. Heading to the river or lake with the right equipment is essential, but having complete confidence in your approach is the major key to catching more fish, whether on the surface or below.

A helping hand to make sure they’re strong before letting them go.

Tackle required for fishing for perch on the surface

To effectively target perch on the surface, you’ll need specific tackle that maximizes your chances of success. Here’s a detailed list:

Rod:

  • A light to medium-light spinning rod, ideally 6’6″ to 7′ in length.
  • Fast action tip for quick hooksets and better control of the lure’s action.

Reel:

  • A reel in the 1000 to 2500 size range.
  • Smooth drag system to handle sudden runs.

Main Line:

  • 4-8 lb test monofilament or fluorocarbon for low visibility and sensitivity.
  • Alternatively, use a braided line (6-12 lb test) with a fluorocarbon leader (4-10 lb test) for added strength and abrasion resistance.

Surface Lures:

  • Stickbaits and pencil poppers designed for surface action.
  • A range of sizes helps. Smaller ones may be more effective if the fish are not committing whereas the larger lures tend to be better for waking up hungry perch.
  • Colors mimicking natural prey like shad, minnows, or perch.

Additional Gear

  • Polarised sunglasses helps reduce glare and spot fish or structure beneath the surface.
  • A small, rubberized landing net with mesh netting to safely land and handle perch. One with an extendable longer handle is very useful.
  • It’s always good to have a set of forceps or pliers with you for tricky hook holds, or for when you run into a Pike.
There was a lot of walking in the hot sun, but all worthwhile when fishing.

Tips for fishing for perch on the surface

Fishing Techniques

  1. Casting:
    • Long casts are essential to cover more water and reach shy fish.
    • Cast parallel to structures like walls, weed beds, or locks.
  2. Retrieval:
    • Master the walk-the-dog action with rhythmic rod twitches while reeling in.
    • Vary your retrieval speed and action to see what triggers the perch to strike.
  3. Observation:
    • Watch for surface disturbances indicating fish activity.
    • Be prepared to adjust your technique based on fish behaviour.

Environmental Considerations

  1. Location:
    • Target areas with plenty of cover and structure, such as submerged logs, rocks, and vegetation.
    • Early morning and late evening are prime times when perch are more likely to feed near the surface.
  2. Weather and Water Conditions:
    • Overcast days can enhance surface action as fish are less wary.
    • Warmer water temperatures generally increase perch activity.

Conclusion

If you haven’t tried fishing for perch on the surface, I highly recommend giving it a go. You’ll undoubtedly catch perch, likely starting with smaller ones, but it won’t be long before you encounter the monsters. Focus on areas known to hold big perch, targeting likely spots such as walls, locks, reed beds, and weirs. Be persistent in your approach, and only switch methods when you’ve thoroughly covered an area or determined that surface fishing isn’t the best strategy for the day. Most importantly – have fun!

Share this article
Steve Evans
Steve Evans

Founder & Chief Editor of Predator Fishing World. Steve has been predator fishing for well over a decade and has amassed a deep knowledge base to share with you.