Tackle Tactics » Tips-Techniques » Pro-Lure-Fishing-Tips » 5 Tips - Estuary Perch
5 Tips - Estuary Perch
By Corey McLaren
The barra of the south and sometimes the disappointment of Victorian tournament bream anglers, the estuary perch is often regarded as one of the most difficult fish to target in the southern estuaries, however, with a few tips, hopefully we can make them more targetable for you all.
Tip 1: Get to know the structure in the estuary you're fishing.
Why is this an important part of successfully targeting estuary perch? Well, knowing what structure is around makes choosing soft plastics and jigheads a whole lot easier. When you work out what structure is in the system though, how do you know that perch will hold there? Well this comes down to time on the water and thinking like a fish. When I target perch the main types of structure that I look for are a freshly fallen tree or a weed bed. This is mainly due to the ability to hold the bait, such as shrimp and minnow. If the tree is too old, then the bait won't be on it because there is no foliage left on that particular tree to offer shelter and protection.
When fishing structure like this it's vital that your casts are smack bang on the money and that you watch your line on the drop as the estuary perch will sometimes pick it up and have you on toast before you know it. Different structure means a different technique altogether and different ways of rigging plastics. When we are fishing heavy structure a standard jighead just doesn't cut the mustard, due to its nature of getting caught up all the time and so we use a TT Lures HeadlockZ jighead rigged weedless. (See picture)
Tip 2: Spend time on the water.
You can't expect to work out a species without putting the time in for them. When I was younger my mate and I would stay out until all hours of the morning trying to figure out when they eat better. Unfortunately for us that was always late at night or in the very early morning. It's not only the time of day or night, but the conditions that you find yourself in are very important too. Generally a very sunny day will see you struggle on the perch, whereas the overcast days are the best. In saying that, if it has been hot during the day and it's also calm in the evening, then get out and use unweighted plastics such as a Pink Slim SwimZ on a small TT Lure ChinlockZ or a very light HWS (Hidden Weight System) jighead. The fish feed on these evenings, eating the bugs off the surface.
Tip 3: Try lots of different techniques before you set on your favourite.
Perch can be caught using a heap of different techniques, including soft plastics, blades, hardbodies and various live baits rigged under the great A-Just-A Bubble floats. My most memorable captures were with my Dad when I was younger, catching over 50 fish a session on live worms under floats, with a chemical light at night. I slowly expanded to lures and soft plastics, which I now can't get out of my hands... since the first fish many years ago. I have fished with lots of people when targeting perch and each one targets them differently, so if you can have multiple tricks up your sleeve it will help you immensely.
Tip 4: Be careful when handling them.
Unfortunately for most of the anglers that's haven't caught them, often the first encounter is a painful one. As they are similar looking to bream, anglers think that a simple belly lift will be sufficient, however because of their sharp gill rakers and sharp anal spike, they usually come out of it with some claret coming from their hands. A simple lip grip with your thumb and fingers is all that you need as they don't have teeth as such, just a raspy mouth that will cause no damage to your hands.
Tip 5: Don't release them straight back.
Why don't I release the perch straight away unlike bream you ask? Well it's quite simple, the little buggers go and tell their mates that they got caught. Before you know it you've turned a potentially great session into casting practice as they have spooked away. Many of the local anglers here in South West Victoria put them into their live well until they have finished fishing that bank and then release them safely. Dropped perch can also mean that the school that you have worked so hard to find has then moved off... after that dibber dobber has told all his mates.
All the best with your estuary perch adventures.
Cheers, Corey