Commercial perch fishing

Commercials have become very good perch venues due to the neglect to other species and I think specimens such as perch, roach and Rudd get ignored by the day ticket anglers in search of a quick bite from the many carp stocked in the venues. I've fished a particular commercial a couple of times now which is hordle lakes near the forest both Jim and rich the owners are lovely blokes and are always on hand to offer great advice. I've had some good results each time I've visited the venue. Although commercials have become very popular in the perch fishing scene there hard to ignore. my first session was more of a taster but on my second visit I knew the zones where the perch liked to hang about. Swim choice was quite easy really, you just look for any cover or snags or any other features such as monks or aerators which provide cover and good ambush points for the perch. Me and my mate ended up fishing next to each other with snags either side of our swims. On one rod I fished the classic running rig set up on a drennan Avon quiver 1 1/4 test curve rod and a small daiwa SS1600 reel loaded with 6lb mono and the rig itself which consisted of a size 5 ESP barbless raptor hook, a 12" 4lb drennan supplex hook link and a one once lead.

For the Hook bait I started with a king prawn soaked in pure krill extract to give the hook bait that extra pulling power over the free offerings which I scatter around the hook bait. This rod was tucked right under the snag and placed on my alarm. For the second rod I used a waggler set up with my light acolyte float rod coupled with a centrepin reel loaded with 3lb mono. I fished the waggler further out with a nice juicy lob worm.

I sprayed maggot over both rods regularly to attract any small fish which in turn would attract the perch. I also mix up a ground bait consisting of chopped prawn, worm and red maggot mixed with a blood worm mix and ball it up and introduce it to the spots.

It didn't take long for the bobin to hit the blank on the prawn rod! And after a spirited fight the first perch was in the net and weighed 2.8lb! A lovely specimen perch and a good start to the session!

I carried on fishing the waggler but only to get plagued by roach so I moved the float closer towards some snags to my left. And balled in some more ground bait in hope that some more stripeys may come along...

Feeling more confident with my approach with the waggler I was happy! But sure enough it was the prawn rod again which was away! With the bobbin hitting the blank and another spirited fight on the light tackle and  a lovely 2lb perch was again sat in the net!!! And a angry one at that! 

I persisted with the waggler and lob worm approach by roaming it around but no bites fell to the float method. But More bites fell to the King prawn rod! And I ended up landing a further three perch and loosing a couple to! Another good session! 

I returned to the venue after Christmas this timed with more king prawns soaked in pure krill extract and four pints of red maggot and some juicy lob worms. As no bites fell to the waggler on previous sessions I fished two rods on the running rig both mounted with King prawns. I fished one down to the left tight to a snag just off the marginal shelf. The second rod I fished it a little further out as I saw lots of small fry being chased by perch. 

I regularly topped up both spots with red maggot and chopped worm and King prawn soaked in krill extract. 

It was a very slow morning resulting in a few aborted takes and loosing a couple of fish which was really frustrating. By this time it was 3.30pm and the venue shuts at 4.30pm I knew time was running out and I hate blanking! So I upped the amount of chopped bait mix I was feeding into the swim. Anxiously I kept looking at my watch knowing that it'll be soon time to reel in and begin the dreaded pack down! I hate blanking as I rarely get out these days so a blank leads to fustratation but also makes me more eager to up the Anty for the next session. But.... Out of no where my left rod which was placed close to a snag just went into a melt down and line was peeling off the spool at a alarming rate making me think a rogue carp could be the culprit. So I lifted into what I thought was a carp! My mate heard the take and came over into my swim and asked if I knew what was on the end? My reply was if its perch it's a big perch! I knew deep down it was due to the viscous head shaking and sharp lunges! The fish stayed deep! I didn't want to give the fish any slack! Eventually the fish rolled on the surface and the Dorsal gave its identity away! My mate went silent as did I both knowing this was a good specimen! I didn't want this perch to drop off!!! After a few more lunges eventually the perch rose to the surface and My mate swooped the net under her and in the back of the net was a rather festively plump perch! This fish was 3lb easy and a possible new personal best! I was overwhelmed as I didn't blank! We unhooked the perch and let it rest whilst I got the rod back onto the spot and again baited with a generous amount of maggot hoping for another last minute take! We got every thing ready, sling, scales and the camera, my two mates helped with the weighing... The perch spun the needle round to 3.4lb I was overwhelmed and overjoyed! A new personal best! A brilliant late Christmas present! My mate took some beautiful shots for me to! So big up! 

I returned the perch with a big smile on my face!!! and it was a good late Christmas present! I had some really good fun fishing the commercials with some mates who were also lucky enough to catch some lovely perch. I hope you enjoyed the blog and maybe learnt something new on how to target perch. Be lucky out there. Here's a link to the website for hordle lakes. A venue well worth fishing if your after big specimen perch. 

http://m.hordlelakes.co.uk

Commercial perching to be continued....