Big Perch - The Biggest Fish of all?
Posted: 09 Feb 2009 00:18When you think of it, do you know, or have you ever known for that matter, anyone who actively fishes regularly for perch?
The majority will answer no, which is surprising as the perch is one of our most attractive fish. It is widespread in its habitat, offers all year round sport, can be caught by just about every method, does not require any sort of specialist tackle, grows to a decent size and gives a good account of itself when hooked.
While most serious anglers have seen double-figure barbel, twenty pound carp, five pound chub, 2lb roach, etc, how many of us have seen a 3lb perch? The truth is that really big perch are indeed rare captures, mainly taken whilst fishing for other species, pike especially. So why are perch so neglected by the specimen hunter? I would be interested in other views on this, as it makes little sense to me.
My greatest interest, in common with most, has been carp and barbel (chub too, at a push), but I have to say that a big perch on the bank looks as impressive as anything I've ever caught, probably because I'm so used to looking at little ones!
The great Dick Walker (former Carp record holder) has stated that a really big perch looks bigger than any other fish! Interestingly, Dick Walker was one of those few anglers who did set-out to catch big perch. During the 1950's he invented the now universally-used Arlesey bomb specifically to catch the huge perch known to inhabit Arlesey Lake. He was very successful, with many three and a few big four pounders to his name before he went on to conquer other species.
Possibly the best chance of catching an outsize perch is from one of the trout reservoirs such as our own Chew Valley. I have had scores of 2lb plus perch from this lovely lake, including one morning in 1984 when we caught them chasing the fry. I had 44 perch over 2lbs, up to 3 1/4lbs in just 3 hours fishing - it was amazing, a fish every cast, all on the fly; and don't let anyone tell you they don't fight - these all tore off line from the reel as any trout would have - magical times those!
Perch fishing took a huge knock all over the country when the perch desease hit during the late '80s, but by all accounts they're making a recovery. So try to catch just one really big perch before you go to meet old Isaac - it may just turn out to be the biggest fish you've ever seen.
The majority will answer no, which is surprising as the perch is one of our most attractive fish. It is widespread in its habitat, offers all year round sport, can be caught by just about every method, does not require any sort of specialist tackle, grows to a decent size and gives a good account of itself when hooked.
While most serious anglers have seen double-figure barbel, twenty pound carp, five pound chub, 2lb roach, etc, how many of us have seen a 3lb perch? The truth is that really big perch are indeed rare captures, mainly taken whilst fishing for other species, pike especially. So why are perch so neglected by the specimen hunter? I would be interested in other views on this, as it makes little sense to me.
My greatest interest, in common with most, has been carp and barbel (chub too, at a push), but I have to say that a big perch on the bank looks as impressive as anything I've ever caught, probably because I'm so used to looking at little ones!
The great Dick Walker (former Carp record holder) has stated that a really big perch looks bigger than any other fish! Interestingly, Dick Walker was one of those few anglers who did set-out to catch big perch. During the 1950's he invented the now universally-used Arlesey bomb specifically to catch the huge perch known to inhabit Arlesey Lake. He was very successful, with many three and a few big four pounders to his name before he went on to conquer other species.
Possibly the best chance of catching an outsize perch is from one of the trout reservoirs such as our own Chew Valley. I have had scores of 2lb plus perch from this lovely lake, including one morning in 1984 when we caught them chasing the fry. I had 44 perch over 2lbs, up to 3 1/4lbs in just 3 hours fishing - it was amazing, a fish every cast, all on the fly; and don't let anyone tell you they don't fight - these all tore off line from the reel as any trout would have - magical times those!
Perch fishing took a huge knock all over the country when the perch desease hit during the late '80s, but by all accounts they're making a recovery. So try to catch just one really big perch before you go to meet old Isaac - it may just turn out to be the biggest fish you've ever seen.
