More of a zedlet really but every one's a result. I continued along the canal for another 200 yards or so before turning around to head back. Occasionally I stopped to cast across the canal under some enticing bushes or feature and worked the lure slowly back along the bottom to my near edge and then, remembering what I'd read on the excellent Artificial Lite from the waters edge web site by Eric Weight, I decided to start dibbling the lure in the edge near the pilings and features. I soon felt a knock and saw a nice size perch twisting on the line under the water but unfortunately it didn't hook up properly. A little disappointed I kept dibbling and managed to hook a small perch to the method - result.
On a slow amble back to the car I trolled a larger 3" hammer shad along the bank under my feet and felt the rod tip pull round near a slight indent of the soft bank, this was followed by a head shake and as I looked down I saw a large perch easily over two pounds, its thick back and bold stripes clear to see up on the surface. I tried to compose myself in those few important split seconds upon realising what I had on and attempting get the fish under control it was all over with a flick and a shake the fish broke free from the small jig head and disappeared !! That was easily a Lure caught PB perch for me but it was not to be today maybe the hook was a little too small? I tried the lure again and felt a knock but subsequent casts met nothing more.
I moved back to the bridge where the car was parked and tried a few spots on the other side, catching another consolation zedlet on a 2" kopyto in flouro yellow. With the light fading fast and still licking my wounds a little after losing the big perch, I got back to the car and headed home feeling both pleased at the success of new techniques and the pain of lost chances. I think I'm going to enjoy exploring with this new rod. The extra feeling and sensation from a lighter set up allows you to naturally exploit subtle changes in your technique which can't be understood or realised until you try one out. In other words my old spinning rod now feels like a thick carp rod in comparison and just can't hope to give me the information I receive on the ultralite. If your thinking of investing in a lighter set up then I can highly recommend it.
Most of my canal caught Perch when targetting the Zander have been on the bigger lures 12cm+ and therefore they have bigger hooks. Great way of fishing isn't it and I'm doing more and more of it these days, I'm sat on my backside at work during the week and it's a good way of getting excercise too. My favorite stretch I often walk over 6 miles by the time I'm got back in the car.
ReplyDeleteYes I should have changed to a larger jig head but lazily just popped the hammer shad on the same hook. Still lesson learnt. Think ill definitely be walking the new stretch a bit more looking for a big perch in the coming weeks.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I learnt about perch last winter is get them in the net as quick as you can! They've gotta be the best fish at throwing hooks. Great blog, wish we had zander this way.
ReplyDeleteThanks Russell, Ive got a feeling they'll eventually work their way down there sooner or later.
DeleteHi Lee, I might get a couple of hours to try for a zed on the Ashby canal end of this week as I'm staying over in Nuneaton. If you're able to recommend a reliable zander spot reasonably nearby I'd be really grateful.
ReplyDeleteSorry Russel only just spotted this comment hope it gets to you in time. I've not tried the Ashby canal much but its definitely got zeds in, big ones too! . Your also near to the Coventry canal which has plenty of zander in its whole length. Good luck with it.
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