Beginners Lure Setup for Perch

If you're a newcomer to Pike & Predator fishing and need advice, you can ask in here
Post Reply
Dunkers
Stickleback
Stickleback
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Sep 15 2019 18:39

Beginners Lure Setup for Perch

Post by Dunkers »

Hi,

New to the forum. I'm looking to get into lure fishing for perch this winter. I've never lure fished before (mainly a carp angler) so I'm researching the gear i will need to cover jigging and dropshotting and I was hoping to get some advice on whether the below setup is suitable. I'll be fishing drains with pike and zander in them, I'm not targeting them but if i do get one I want to be able to land it safely rather than getting cut off.

rod - spinning rod circa 7ft casting weight up to 15g
reel - 2500 size front drag
mainline - braid 20lb
leader - light wire trace for jigging and 10lb flouro for dropshot
various lures circa 1.5-3 inch
jig heads circa 5g
dropshot hooks and dropshot weights

Does the above look about right? Also if anyone has any recommended entry level brands etc for the above then that would be welcome.
User avatar
Mike J
Ferox Trout
Ferox Trout
Posts: 11094
Joined: Wed Nov 09 2016 09:26
Location: Wessex

Re: Beginners Lure Setup for Perch

Post by Mike J »

Welcome aboard.
Where are you located?

Did you know you can catch carp on lures?
Try a Bent Minnow, on the right days they will come a long way for a chomp on that lure.
Another to use is a small white sandeel, the 30-35mm size is best.

Our members also catch carp on bits of dead fish, make a search and see.
'No Man Ever Fishes The Same River Twice, .... For It Is Not The Same River, .... And He Is Not The Same Man' Heraclitus of Ephesus
Dunkers
Stickleback
Stickleback
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Sep 15 2019 18:39

Re: Beginners Lure Setup for Perch

Post by Dunkers »

Mike J wrote: Mon Sep 16 2019 09:56 -
Welcome aboard.
Where are you located?

Did you know you can catch carp on lures?
Try a Bent Minnow, on the right days they will come a long way for a chomp on that lure.
Another to use is a small white sandeel, the 30-35mm size is best.

Our members also catch carp on bits of dead fish, make a search and see.
Thanks. I'm located in the Peterborough area.

Cant say I've thought of carping on lures. Will have to give that a go one day!
Will Smith
James Holgate Award Winner 2023
James Holgate Award Winner 2023
Posts: 4080
Joined: Sun Aug 28 2011 05:00
Location: Snods Edge, Northumberland

Re: Beginners Lure Setup for Perch

Post by Will Smith »

Sounds about right to me for targeting Perch, good luck.
Clearly there are/will be exceptions and specific circumstances which may have to be taken into account where you may have to reconsider your original choice but on the whole I reckon you should be OK :thumbs:
Let us know how you get on.

Will
Dunkers
Stickleback
Stickleback
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Sep 15 2019 18:39

Re: Beginners Lure Setup for Perch

Post by Dunkers »

Will Smith wrote: Mon Sep 16 2019 20:03 -
Sounds about right to me for targeting Perch, good luck.
Clearly there are/will be exceptions and specific circumstances which may have to be taken into account where you may have to reconsider your original choice but on the whole I reckon you should be OK :thumbs:
Let us know how you get on.

Will
Thanks very much. I've just ordered the tackle so lets see how it goes
User avatar
Flipflopjoe
Chub
Chub
Posts: 1609
Joined: Sat Sep 29 2018 13:27

Re: Beginners Lure Setup for Perch

Post by Flipflopjoe »

Don’t forget a set of forceps coz you’re bound to snag a pike eventually !!!
Keep those digits safe :thumbs:
Joe Birch
“There’s a fine line between fishing, and standing on the bank like an idiot!”
jimmer79
Stickleback
Stickleback
Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Jan 16 2020 22:10

Re: Beginners Lure Setup for Perch

Post by jimmer79 »

Maybe reduce the strength of braid if targeting perch, especially for the small jig heads. I was using 19lb with no issues, dropped to 9 and everything feels much more balanced and can cast further and more accurately. Haven't lost anything due to the reduction in bs either
User avatar
Esoxuk
Perch
Perch
Posts: 809
Joined: Mon Aug 29 2011 05:00
Location: Rotherham

Re: Beginners Lure Setup for Perch

Post by Esoxuk »

My perch fishing has been transformed this winter by jigging with Zman TRD's in the worm and crawfish patterns, to the extent that a 'bad' day can be better than my previous good days. Take a look on YouTube there is plenty of information on there regarding their use for both zander and perch. You will also catch pike, some of which can be quite surprising, a friend of mine recently had one over 20lb and mid doubles are a regular occurrence.
I jigging rod from 3g up to between 10 and 15g casting weight rather than a lure rod is more suitable due to the action, thin braid is essential due to 'feel' and cutting down the drag from the water. I'm using 0.06mm yellow (for visibility as some takes can be very slight and simply be the line pulling back into the water) Spiderwire Smooth Stealth which is around 15lb breaking strain and Knot 2 Kinky trace wire rated at 6lb (this is vastly underrated and I suspect its nearer 6kg). For the snap connectors I'm using Crazy Fish snaps in size 1 rated at 22lb bs.
Trace wire, snaps cheb jig weights, much more and many soft plastics suitable are available from Lurefactors https://lurefactors.co.uk/ and AGM https://www.agmdiscountfishing.co.uk/
I've come across quite a few anglers using very similar set ups and like myself have only broken off on solid snags using this kit, note that as yet I haven't broken a trace which instils confidence in the product.
Finally a good quality jig rod, with a 2500 size reel and the line above will also make an excellent drop shot rod, I would recommend doing this rather than buying 2 budget rods.
https://www.predatortackle.co.uk/Rods/W ... ds-5g-20g/
https://www.westin-fishing.com/en/produ ... finesse-tc
R.O. Rotherham & Sheffield PAC (RA99)
PAC Products Manager
Post Reply