UK canal Perch fishing tips

In this video, Westin fishing backed Thom Hunt describes his top tips for targeting canal perch.
How to catch more perch by understanding their location in both summer and winter in warm water and cold water situations. Thom describes which methods and techniques to use for perch fishing on canals, covering drop shot, jig fishing, spinners, small crank baits and soft plastics.
Some awesome location tips on how to fish structure such as bridges, locks, walls, in flows and outflows.
Ultralight fishing tips with small, tiny lures to get the most amount of bites, targeting small, wasp perch through to large stripy specimen fish. Some tactical advice useful for both beginners and tournament anglers alike

[@skateboardingjesus4006]

I almost exclusively use 1.5 inch curly-tail grubs and tiny soft baits here in Dublin for canal perch. Some days the bites are one after another, with plenty of small pike gladly snapping them up. It's only lately that I've started using homemade 1 inch twitching lures with great success. Lock gates are always a guarantee for a few perch. Some creature baits can be cut down to a smaller size, making them more effective too. Even just sending tiny vibrations down the fishing line can be enough to entice a good strike.

[@firetiger2297]

Watching this clip improved my Catch rate massively! It’s amazing how just 1-2cm can make such a difference. Thanks for sharing 👍🎣💥

[@Gillybearuk]

Thanks for taking the time to make these videos.. complete novice Predator angler and your videos have helped me massively so just wanted to say thank you buddy really appreciate the coaching

[@Thomhuntfishing]

Thank you! I appreciate for positive feedback 👌

[@colin1729]

Brilliant video full of facts and advice. Many thanks Thom.

[@mattdeery918]

Thanks Thom. Never been lure fishing and going to give it a go next week. Have taken your advice and got 1.5 micro fry soft lures. Fingers crossed 🤞

[@mattdeery918]

1.5”

[@Doublecross]

Best vid so far on perch fishing. Good job.

[@Thomhuntfishing]

Thanks man, appreciate the comment 👌👌👌

[@marcfoy6277]

Good video. I've been thinking the same about small perch in winter. Micro creatures definitely out fish anything for the small stuff. Keep up the good work Thom, we need these videos for a fishing fix.

[@Thomhuntfishing]

Cheers for the comment. I quite enjoy making them (when I have the time!)

[@butler8583]

Some great tips thanks 👍

[@shanehowell3542]

Great video as usual. Thanks Thom my son is made up 👍🏻

[@rangerlcfc]

This is a brilliant instruction video

[@Thomhuntfishing]

Thank you 🙏 Glad you enjoyed it 👍🏻

[@stuartday3232]

Hi Thom. You mention a longer version of this video. Did you ever post it? Funnily enough 2" is the max I tend to use on my local Dudley no2 canal for lots of little perch. Again loads of great advice.

[@keithpayne4143]

Perch advice, just what I needed ,I'm an old geezer and have fished all my life but I've only just started ultra light perching , I visit my youngest son who lives near the GU at Rickmansworth .....and we do the modern urban fishing lol.....last time amongst the graffiti, dog poo, bike frames and good old diesel film on the top I caught nothing but almost got wiped out by a towpath cycle fiend without a bell ☹️ I was using a cheb with tiny floating crayfish bait, I've been 4 times recently and had a total of one perch the size of a fish finger....😢....so many thanks for the needed advice 👍🏻

[@pauldunning7934]

Thanks mate. I'm new to light lure fishing and just starting to get some stuff together. I've got a light rod and reel. Some small lures etc. Any suggestions on what brand for braided line i should buy. Also what should i get in regards to pliers?

[@lexingtonlad5745]

Perch love mepps. I would never use lures without a wire trace. Great video.

[@Thomhuntfishing]

Cheers. Yep, one of the oldest lures that’s stood the test of time. Rarely go perch fishing without 1 in my box 👍🏻

[@leftmono1016]

Must try a mepps. Agree about the wire trace, just yesterday evening I had a small perch and then a 4lb ish pike on the same lure.

[@freddyalbrecht4946]

hi tom. can you do a video on what lure colors to use throughout the year and with which weather conditions?

[@Thomhuntfishing]

Yep no probs I’ll put it on the list!

[@lenraby5920]

Nice video, big fan also of Westin lures especially Stanley, Ricky and Curl Teez for my canal predator fishing. I don’t go below 5.5cm myself as I’m only after the larger Perch specimens and I still get 3/4 lb gobbling up 7cm Stanley’s lol. Due to the larger Jacks that show I do use AFW 6.6lb knottable wire unless I’m drop shotting then it’s fluorocarbon and if the Pike show I stop drop shotting as it’s not worth leaving a Pike swimming around with shrapnel in its mouth.

[@Yosser70]

Len Raby Hi Len. Where are you getting the 6.6lbs AFW wire from? See it in heavier strains but not the lighter stuff. Sounds like the perfect thing for when the pike are around.

[@lenraby5920]

Dave Hughes Hi Dave, thelurebox.co.uk and just ordered some off SFUK waiting for order as they are cheaper than thelurebox, let you know if I get a delivery lol. Thelurebox have never let me down on any delivery to date, so if SFUK don’t work out I can always suffer the extra few quid thelurebox charge.

[@id3al26]

Good video 👌 that bag u had at the beginning with the mat rolled up i like it what make is it? Thanks

[@Thomhuntfishing]

That’s the Westin Street Sling bag and an Illex Stream master roll mat. Don’t think they are available anymore but there’s a few others on the market that are small and roll up

[@mrb9320]

Very useful tips. I’m yet to catch more than a couple of Perch in one spot but assume minimising water disturbance and utilising a keep net would up my chances. Any other tips for bagging shoals?

[@Thomhuntfishing]

Time of year for big shoals is key. In the summer they’re spread out, in winter they shoal up. Yep some guys take small keep nets to briefly retain the perch and say it helps with numbers. I just tend to catch and release each fish then keep moving. When you catch a few from a shoal they often move just 5-10m so keep searching the surrounding area, also a change of lure to a different colour or shape can get extra bites after you’ve had some and they go a bit cagey

[@mrb9320]

That makes sense thanks. I suppose I always have a tendency to move in one direction along the bank but once I’ve found them they could just as well move 5-10 metres back the way I just came 😁

[@JohnBrown1]

Sub good education cheers pal.

[@gothicgorey]

What weedless hook size would you go for a 5cm shad

[@grantelkin2510]

Grate vid one question what do you mean tins?

[@Thomhuntfishing]

Grant Elkin Thanks. Some canals have natural bank (grass/mud/stones) on the near bank and are generally very shallow close in (6” or so) However some canals have metal sheeting edges (I call these ‘tins’) and usually have about 2ft depth immediately where the water meets the bank. Hope that makes sense!

[@shanehowell3542]

Hi Thom, I hope you’re well. Did you ever post the longer version of this video?

[@Thomhuntfishing]

Hi Shane, no I didn’t, but it’s been such a popular topic I think I need to do a revisit of a longer version of this anyway. It’ll go on the list of videos ‘to do’!

[@shanehowell3542]

@@Thomhuntfishing cheers Thom.

[@thomashallam9817]

Great video. Some great info about perch and there isn't much on here... I've looked! Im currently fishing for perch on some small lakes near me on a holiday site. I know the owners and after showing them I was drop shotting with lures... The next time they saw me they asked me to only use natural baits as they are concerned that if the fish swallow the soft lures it won't digest in the stomach.... Rediculousbut what could I say! What's your thoughts? Do you even use natural baits anymore? I might just try a different lake it's just this one is literally across the road from me....

[@Thomhuntfishing]

Yeah I don’t know what to say either! Of all the fish I’ve ever caught on lures I don’t know a single 1 that has swallow the lure!

[@skateboardingjesus4006]

Your best bet is to just be civil and let them know that the lures are not ever taken into a fish's stomach, or designed to be. Tell them you're exclusively catch and release and prefer not to kill other things either just for bait. That should appeal to their naive sensibilities.

[@leftmono1016]

Try worms on the drop shot, supposed to be deadly!

[@TheFishingDaddy]

Hey ive been finding loads of perch on the canal lately but struggling to get them to bite but i think its my technique possibly as i have tried many baits just don't know.

[@Thomhuntfishing]

You sometimes have to try many styles to see what they want on the day. In clear water see how they react, if you twitch the lure aggressively a lot, sometimes they love it and bite, but sometimes they’re scared away, so adjust to a slower more subtle retrieve and a smaller lure if they do that. Keep trying and eventually you will find out what they want

[@inderwill1]

Hi Thom, Quick question. Do you use only bright lures in canals? Like the ones in the video. Your videos are great. I've learnt so much from them Thanks!

[@Thomhuntfishing]

No, these were just for easy visuals on the video! Will use those bright lures when the water is coloured, but natural colours when the water is a bit clearer 👍🏻

[@Alexsurous]

just got into fishing almost 30 and got my first perch yesterday then snagged and snapped my rod and lost ma lure but got a new rod and lure on the way after some adivce from the borother im ready to go out

[@Thomhuntfishing]

Ahhh unlucky with the rod buddy. Be careful when snagged up! Glad to hear you’re enjoying it and had a fish on lures already!

[@sten10yeet]

Is there a difference between monolith and braid? I have been wanting to swich over to braid for so long but dont know if it will really help anything?

[@Thomhuntfishing]

There is a huge difference! Braid is very very thin compared to the same breaking strain in mono line. For example 0.10mm braid will be about 12lb breaking strain, 0.10mm line will be 2.5lb breaking strain. But the main reason to use it for lure fishing is the fact it has zero line stretch so every bite is transmitted perfectly through the braid leading to better bite detection and more fish on the bank!

[@danielfletcher7796]

I have plenty of days were i go out and catch like 30 perch under a pound on my local river, any tips on how i can get perch bigger than a pound. Always dreaming of a 2lb plus perch but just seem to get loads of small ones. River ouse between brampton and earith.

[@Thomhuntfishing]

Firstly you’d have to know….. do you know there are better ones in that stretch? Some areas seem to have year classes so some venues have only big perch and no wasps, others are small fish dominated with no bigger ones (can happen when a big fish year class dies off have to wait a few years for the small ones to grow! If you’re confident there are bigger ones about, larger baits like 10cm shads, big 8cm+ crays, bigger jerkbaits etc will select larger fish. Also time of year, now it’s getting cold, Jan-March can be good for bigger fish as the small ones don’t feed as much. Expect way less bites (maybe only 1-3 a day) but they should be better stamp fish 👍

[@danielfletcher7796]

@Thomhuntfishing cheers for the reply I have seen the odd big ones and have seen that other people have caught in the area on the fish brain app. I've also fished this stretch all year round for the last few years, often covering 8 miles in a day on foot (main river and streams). Just don't know what I'm doing wrong 😅. I feel like I've tried everything.

[@randomguy956]

What perch lures are good for summer time

[@Thomhuntfishing]

I like paddle tail shads or small crayfish style lures at this time of year, as it imitates what the predators are eating 👍🏻

[@randomguy956]

@@Thomhuntfishing thank u :))

[@ynottonyfaris]

Great video. However, I fish the canal for perch myself. The main features where I fish are a series of locks which I tend to concentrate on. I have recently discovered that there are plenty of fish inside the locks themselves. I did a quick check online to find out if I was allowed to fish them and it seems like we are not actually allowed to fish within 25 metres of the lock and not inside at all. Does anyone have a view on this?

[@Thomhuntfishing]

Different canals and clubs have different rules, so just check your local rules and go from there.

[@ynottonyfaris]

@@Thomhuntfishing I was checking out the Canal & Rivers Trust guidance.

[@louism6306]

really found this video interesting, but still really struggling with catching anything on the grand union. i realise i must be doing something wrong, but im not sure what. maybe a useful video for people would be like: what to change when you're not catching fish? just an idea, i'm sure im not the only one who would find this type of video useful :)

[@Thomhuntfishing]

If you’re fishing very coloured areas of the Grand Union go with bright green 2” lures and just drop them off the end of your rod by bridges and locks 👍🏻 If the areas you fish are clear, stick to near bridges and locks but explore the deeper water down the central track Yes I can look at making a video for you no probs 👍🏻

[@louism6306]

Thom Hunt that’s great thanks - I’ll certainly try that - it is quite coloured and I was fishing more subdued colours :)

[@chrismossford2165]

Might sound a really silly question but are there perch in all canals?

[@Thomhuntfishing]

Almost all canals yes. 👍🏻

[@fin4889]

Hi Tham, silly question, what do you mean by "tins" on canals? BW Fin

[@Thomhuntfishing]

On some canals you have metal sheeting (I call them tins) at the edge, usually for where boats can moor next to the bank. It’s normally 1.5-2.5ft deep right in the edge so can hold fish right under your rod tip!

[@fin4889]

@@Thomhuntfishing Cheers, thanks for that. Massively appreciate the videos as a new angler who wants to get good!

[@scrubbybard380]

The guy isn't wrong, I use 4cm micro fry on a size 10 jighead weighted between 0.7g up to 3g on 6lb braid and a fluoro leader with a rod weighted for 0g to 5g, produced fish just shy of 3lb on the shroppie and boy does that rod bend, everytime you think it's a pike until you see them stripes then it gets serious

[@Thomhuntfishing]

Yep totally agree, nothing better than a big perch on light kit 💪

[@RustyShackleford66]

8lb Fluoro? I wish. Maybe if you're sponsored with loads of freebies and can afford to lose 10+ lures every session. Even with 20lb braid and a trace i still struggle with loads of snags. Just this morning i had to drag a Morrison's bag for life, full of mud up from the bottom to get my lure back.

[@weaverflytyer]

small pike will constantly bite off 8lb flouro, this is really very bad advice

[@RustyShackleford66]

@@Jamesisapayne Calm down cupcake. You have openly admitted to being bitten off more than once, leaving a hook and lure in the poor fishes mouth when it was totally avoidable. As somebody who obviously puts catching the fish ahead of fish care, your sort of advice is irrelevant. Thanks though.

[@scrubbybard380]

I use fluoro when targeting perch unless the water has a lot of pike in and I cant be sure if I'm gonna catch them instead of the perch but I can say from my experience that lighter is better when perching, traces make my catch and size rate drop, iv never caught a 1lb+ perch on a trace but pulled them out up to 3lb on fluoro, tackle loss is part of the game, jig heads and soft lures are cheap though, I'd only go really heavy to ensure I'd get my gear back if I was fishing on trebles with a £10+ lure, cant afford to be losing them in trees every session, only been snapped by a pike once on fluoro and that was when I had a pop up on for carp, a pike took it, no one would recommend I use traces in future while carping incase of a pike and I won't use traces to catch perch, if 3lb+ pike are biting, I'll trace up, if the water is new, I'll trace up.