Justin Cavalier leads our efforts in Lancashire and greater Manchester, and what’s more, even dares to venture further east across the Pennines. We are so very fortunate to have this coarse fishing maestro being part of Fishing for Schools, for not only does he bring a huge wealth of skilful coaching education through his Off the Scale Outdoor Education provision, but is a supremely gifted fisher in his own right. Here are his thoughts on Perch.
For me, there is no greater thrill than chasing the large European Perch. Some anglers may not understand the affection for the 'Sergeant' and I can understand why. They're not particularly hard-fighting and certainly don't grow to a large size compared to many freshwater fish. A 2lb perch is considered a very respectable fish and a 3lber - well, that really is a specimen to shout about. Let's not even talk about the fish of a life time at 4lb+, because it's a rather sore subject with me as we draw to the end of the season. The official British record stands at 6lb 3oz, but they are known to grow in excess of 8lb in other parts of Europe. With the exception of carp, perch fishing is one of the fastest growing factions of our sport, with many Anglers also opting for adventures across the Channel to Holland, Spain and France in search of giants.
So, what's the reason for this surge in popularity, and why are more people chasing those striped flanks and spiny dorsal fins? Lure fishing is gaining appeal with a younger generation, perhaps because it is less sedentary than many other types of angling and also inexpensive when it comes to equipment. If we look across the pond, bass fishing is huge in America and the perch is a very similar European equivalent. It is also often the first fish for the novice due to their bold and greedy disposition. They lurk in the shadows of marginal plants and roots, waiting for an opportunity to ambush prey, so even if you haven't mastered the art of casting any distance, they are not out of reach. They have certainly been the hero on many a coaching session in difficult conditions over the years.
As more and more venues across the country turn into exclusive syndicates demanding a high price to chase their huge carp and pike, specimen perch can be found in the most inexpensive and accessible places across the country.
If money is no object, you can pay the premium to fish large midlands reservoirs such as Graffham or Rutland, but you also have the option to find huge perch in our canal networks, river systems, commercial day ticket fisheries and even abandoned, neglected farm ponds.
Another wonderful perk of targeting perch is they can be responsive in almost any weather or temperature. Like many predatory species higher up the food chain, they take full advantage as their prey become immobile in the colder conditions.
In conclusion, as we draw towards their spawning, there's never been a better time to grab a lure or waggler rod, a bag of frozen supermarket prawns, or a tub of wriggling lob worms - and head out in search of a biblical perch.
My top tip is lack of resistance will reward your persistence, so keep everything free running and as delicate as possible.
Although I've not managed to achieve my ambitious target this season, I have enjoyed every frost-bitten moment of trying and my optimism remains intact for the next time that float sinks into the murky depths.