Deadbaiting for canal perch

[JasonR]

I am thinking of trying deadbaiting on my local canal for perch (zander are present also). Has anyone any experience of this? Livebaits are banned by the club.

[suffolk si]

Had them on my syndicate on small roach dead’s, to be honest I’d pick worms or prawns or even lures as more effective though

[Oldskoolfool]

I have some canal success on freshly kill deads - tend to do better with then if twitches or sink n draw etc. Agree with Si worms/prawns are easier and I find small lures/plastics pretty effective but these days a lot more people are using them.

[Mike J]

A freshly killed minnow or fry or even a whitebait is what I would use if lives were not permitted.

But beware, small deads on any canal is a slow burner for a seriously big eel.

.

[Mark Phillips]

I am thinking of trying deadbaiting on my local canal for perch (zander are present also). Has anyone any experience of this? Livebaits are banned by the club.

You'd have more fun watching paint dry than trying to dead bait for perch. I have never caught one on a static dead bait or seen one caught for that matter (fished sink and draw, yeah I have had them on small roach). Some of the advice (cough) people are giving is rather ill informed... a freshly killed minnow or whitebait FFS

If live baits are banned, then you either do it anyway - which is up to you - but I would... or a) fish lobs or b) Prawns or c) lure fish (my choice and you'll get the zander as well)

[ADAM-F]

I have caught six perch on deadbaits over the years. None were by design as I was fishing for zander on each of those trips.
As Mark has said there are probably better options to target perch, but if you really wanted to catch them on dead bait then my accidental captures may be of interest.
All six were on small coarse deadbaits or half baits,
All six were taken on a sunk float paternoster rig with the bait suspended of the bottom,
and all six were caught in the dark.
They were all 1.5lb + too.
If you wanted to try deadbaiting for perch there is the rig, bait and time that might give you a chance.

[JasonR]

Thanks for the advice guys

[Lee7499]

Prawns or air injected lobs are the two baits I would always use before ever considering anything else . The only problem with prawns are the bloody Carp when you want a nice stripey.

[Esoxuk]

Light jigs particularly 1.6" - 2.5" crazy fish nimbles on a 2g cheb rig or a Zman TRD on a 2.8g shroomz jig head fished very slow with twitches to lift it off the bottom now the water is cold will produce and induce takes from dormant fish that simply don't want to chase a meal.
Other than that live baits all the way.

[pete webster]

Life's too short for that pastime.

[Christian97]

Back in the day I used to deabait for eels all the time on waters which contained good perch I can only remember catching a perch once.

[John Milford]

My big perch have all been accidental (or opportunistic) captures while piking.

I've never caught one on a deadbait, but I know people who've found that when perch are in the swim and taking lives, a switch to a freshly killed bait will often sort out the bigger ones.

As an aside, I've just been reading an extract from a book, published in 1689, where the writer says a minnow-sized strip cut from the belly of a mackerel makes a very good perch bait! (Mind you, he also said that a small dead bird, plucked of its feathers, will take pike! ).

[davelumb]

My big perch have all been accidental (or opportunistic) captures while piking.

I've never caught one on a deadbait, but I know people who've found that when perch are in the swim and taking lives, a switch to a freshly killed bait will often sort out the bigger ones.

As an aside, I've just been reading an extract from a book, published in 1689, where the writer says a minnow-sized strip cut from the belly of a mackerel makes a very good perch bait! (Mind you, he also said that a small dead bird, plucked of its feathers, will take pike! ).

A wobbled chaffinch - feathers left on - makes a good wobbled pike bait.

So I have been told.

[JasonR]

I have tried dead chicks legered for pike, never caught on them though.

[John Milford]

My big perch have all been accidental (or opportunistic) captures while piking.

I've never caught one on a deadbait, but I know people who've found that when perch are in the swim and taking lives, a switch to a freshly killed bait will often sort out the bigger ones.

As an aside, I've just been reading an extract from a book, published in 1689, where the writer says a minnow-sized strip cut from the belly of a mackerel makes a very good perch bait! (Mind you, he also said that a small dead bird, plucked of its feathers, will take pike! ).

A wobbled chaffinch - feathers left on - makes a good wobbled pike bait.

So I have been told.

Wings folded or extended?

[davelumb]

My big perch have all been accidental (or opportunistic) captures while piking.

I've never caught one on a deadbait, but I know people who've found that when perch are in the swim and taking lives, a switch to a freshly killed bait will often sort out the bigger ones.

As an aside, I've just been reading an extract from a book, published in 1689, where the writer says a minnow-sized strip cut from the belly of a mackerel makes a very good perch bait! (Mind you, he also said that a small dead bird, plucked of its feathers, will take pike! ).

A wobbled chaffinch - feathers left on - makes a good wobbled pike bait.

So I have been told.

Wings folded or extended?

Extended.

[John Milford]

My big perch have all been accidental (or opportunistic) captures while piking.

I've never caught one on a deadbait, but I know people who've found that when perch are in the swim and taking lives, a switch to a freshly killed bait will often sort out the bigger ones.

As an aside, I've just been reading an extract from a book, published in 1689, where the writer says a minnow-sized strip cut from the belly of a mackerel makes a very good perch bait! (Mind you, he also said that a small dead bird, plucked of its feathers, will take pike! ).

A wobbled chaffinch - feathers left on - makes a good wobbled pike bait.

So I have been told.

Wings folded or extended?

Extended.

(So you've "been told" . . . )

[davelumb]

My big perch have all been accidental (or opportunistic) captures while piking.

I've never caught one on a deadbait, but I know people who've found that when perch are in the swim and taking lives, a switch to a freshly killed bait will often sort out the bigger ones.

As an aside, I've just been reading an extract from a book, published in 1689, where the writer says a minnow-sized strip cut from the belly of a mackerel makes a very good perch bait! (Mind you, he also said that a small dead bird, plucked of its feathers, will take pike! ).

A wobbled chaffinch - feathers left on - makes a good wobbled pike bait.

So I have been told.

Wings folded or extended?

Extended.

(So you've "been told" . . . )

Someone else suggested robins to me.

I must have one of those faces....

[pete webster]

My big perch have all been accidental (or opportunistic) captures while piking.

I've never caught one on a deadbait, but I know people who've found that when perch are in the swim and taking lives, a switch to a freshly killed bait will often sort out the bigger ones.

As an aside, I've just been reading an extract from a book, published in 1689, where the writer says a minnow-sized strip cut from the belly of a mackerel makes a very good perch bait! (Mind you, he also said that a small dead bird, plucked of its feathers, will take pike! ).

A wobbled chaffinch - feathers left on - makes a good wobbled pike bait.

So I have been told.

[stubbojo]

I am thinking of trying deadbaiting on my local canal for perch (zander are present also). Has anyone any experience of this? Livebaits are banned by the club.

You'd have more fun watching paint dry than trying to dead bait for perch. I have never caught one on a static dead bait or seen one caught for that matter (fished sink and draw, yeah I have had them on small roach). Some of the advice (cough) people are giving is rather ill informed... a freshly killed minnow or whitebait FFS

If live baits are banned, then you either do it anyway - which is up to you - but I would... or a) fish lobs or b) Prawns or c) lure fish (my choice and you'll get the zander as well)

dont disregard deads for perch , i have lost count of how many perch i have caught on them , even out fished lives on certain days
i fish anchored paternoster rigs with a small float , 10lb to 15lb wire to a size 4 hook ......if pike are present pleas, please fish a wire trace , they will and do bite fluoro with ease
regardless of what people say......the perch are not looking at the wire only your bait before they hit it.....

[Pinkie]

I've caught a few myself on small dead bleak cast out for eels in the middle of the night.

[JasonR]

Just wondering guys, single hook rig through tail or lip? What is your preference?

[Andrew]

Canal in my area I wouldn't use static deads. Twitching, sink and draw, trotting a small 3cm perch(could catch loads in summer) lip hooked with a single. Found an inlet/outlet flow was always good for trotting a perch down the side the canal wall.

I always use wire, it doesnt bother a perch much imo. Too many randy Jacks in canal

[stubbojo]

Just wondering guys, single hook rig through tail or lip? What is your preference?

when i do live bait...... single size 4 top lip with a rubber bait stop or cut up a red bait flag into 4 keeps the bait on longer

[stubbojo]

Canal in my area I wouldn't use static deads. Twitching, sink and draw, trotting a small 3cm perch(could catch loads in summer) lip hooked with a single. Found an inlet/outlet flow was always good for trotting a perch down the side the canal wall.

I always use wire, it doesnt bother a perch much imo. Too many randy Jacks in canal

the pike are a real pain where i fish for perch , for every 1 perch probably catch 6 pike first to doubles ....... thats earlier in the season say oct/dec
i anchored my nostered rig with 2 oz , they say perch dont like risistance what so ever , cant say i have noticed when then bolt off towing the lead with them , same with the pike

[Fentiger01]

Life's too short for that pastime.

Top advice Webbo.

Fishing for Zeds since my yoof using small lives and very fresh deadbaits during both day and night, I've only ever encountered the 1 Perch to a deadbait and witnessed a mate fluke 1 other. Plenty of Eels though, especially in the earlier days.

I have had a fair few perch on paternostered lives while Zedding though....

[suffolk si]

Life's too short for that pastime.

Top advice Webbo.

Fishing for Zeds since my yoof using small lives and very fresh deadbaits during both day and night, I've only ever encountered the 1 Perch to a deadbait and witnessed a mate fluke 1 other. Plenty of Eels though, especially in the earlier days.

I have had a fair few perch on paternostered lives while Zedding though....

What Pete and Dave said, my syndicate has a good head of perch and in four years on there I’ve only caught two on dead’s despite using naturals quite often, ( both were mid two pounders)stick a little live on and it’s another matter!
Similar results on local river lots of perch on lives whilst piking never one on a dead...

[Mike J]

Just wondering guys, single hook rig through tail or lip? What is your preference?

Size 14 circle, thro the nostrils.
I only use minnows.

.

[Lee7499]

Just wondering guys, single hook rig through tail or lip? What is your preference?

Size 14 circle, thro the nostrils.
I only use minnows.

.

Cant agree more about the circle hooks , should be standard when targeting Perch.

[stubbojo]

Just wondering guys, single hook rig through tail or lip? What is your preference?

Size 14 circle, thro the nostrils.
I only use minnows.

.

Cant agree more about the circle hooks , should be standard when targeting Perch.

have tried them , but had a few deep hook ups ,so went back to my normal hooks.....