PERCH IN SIGHT FISHING
At the river I have been fishing recently, fishing conditions can change quite quickly as the weather is changing. For the last months, it had mostly been raining, so the water levels were high and the water murky most of the time. Those are not exactly good conditions for perch in my opinion, but when there finally was a sunny period, the water levels dropped and the water cleared up, I knew I would try to do some sight fishing for big perch. I knew some spots that proved to be productive both in winter and summer. They all have in common being quite shallow areas close to shore, where the current is broken either by sunken trees, bridges, lily pads or other structure.
Sight fishing is not only the most exciting way of fishing you can imagine, but where I fish it is also the most effective bet to get a perch. Linear fishing or jigging the bottom in deeper areas can of course produce big perch, too, but where I fish I find it easier and more predictable to search them from above the surface.Sure, you still have to know your fishing spots, but clear water allows you to take a walk and actively search for fish close to shore. I fish a lot in urban areas, where you often have the advantage of being able to spot fish from elevated positions without the fish seeing you and recognizing the danger. Whenever you can, try to approach from behind the fish in order not to spook it. Polarized Sunglasses like the Fiiish x Big Fish 1983 Easy Fish collaboration ones are definitely a must have!
By sight fishing, you also minimize the risk of catching one of the abundant pike, which allows for fishing with light tackle, thin line and without a steel leader. This means a big advantage in clear water! I fish a light rod with a casting weight of 3-10g, a 2000 size reel filled with 10lb Fiiish Perfect Link Braid and a 0,20mm fluorocarbon leader. For lures, most of the time I use the 70mm Black Minnow with a 3g/4,5g head in natural colors, but the Mud Digger or Black Eel with a light jig head work, too. Once you spot a fish, try to cast some meters in front of it and then slowly drag the lure over the bottom. Quite often your lure will be gone quicker than you can realize. In areas with a bit more current, especially in summer with active fish it can also be effective to let your lure hop over the ground in little jumps by twitching the line a bit. The unpredictable darting action of a Black Minnow 70 rigged with the 6g Off Shore head is driving active perch crazy!
Good luck!
Antonius
