I was determined to go drop shotting for Perch today, despite the weather. If anything, my local canal seems to have become clearer with all this rain we’ve been having. By the sounds of it, others haven’t been so lucky.
Anyway, the plan was to wrap up warm, get out to my usual spot on the Kennet and Avon Canal and fish bigger baits than I have been lately, in the hope of connecting to a bigger Perch. Tackle was a simple drop shot rig built of 5lb fluorocarbon. A 3.5 gram drop shot lead with a size 4 Owner Wacky Hook (Camo Green) fixed about 6 inches above. I fished the same lure all day as it worked straight away. A new lure and lure manufacture for me. The 4″ Squirrel Tail Worm (SS Shad) by Big Bite Baits. It’s a fair size but smaller fish can still inhale it as it’s very supple. It fit the bill perfectly.
Drop shotting can be good this time of year as fish aren’t as active as they are in the warmer months. With a drop shot rig you can fish a lure stationary where you know the Perch live – in snags / under bridges etc – this will give you more time ‘in the zone’
Think I ended up with five or six fish in the end with the last one being the one I was after. I’m not very good at guesstimating weights of Perch but I’d say it was about two and a half pound or so. Very good fun on light tackle.
More of the same tomorrow I hope.
14th January, 2016 @ 11:57 am
lovely just lovely
28th January, 2016 @ 10:58 pm
When drop shotting how does it work? Do I just drop the shot in to my canal and twitch baits up & down? Or do I cast out a bit? I got a 6ft 1# 3 grm if thats right. Not sure. Can look at rod again to see. What baits or rigs do you use? I never tryed it. I used to fish for smoothhounds and bass of are pier. I done pike most coure but not carp like to but to expensive for me. Anyway :) hope you dont mind q&a. I seen some fat parch at canal. Can you use worms as bait for drop shotting? Hope you dont mind me asking. darren.
29th January, 2016 @ 12:51 pm
You can do either. It catches fish both ways, but is perhaps best as a technique to fish a lure statically, in one location. If you know where some fat Perch live, you’re already half way there! If you’re used to sea fishing, you’re probably familiar with the Paternoster rig. Dropshot is like the Paternoster but with no snood – the hook ties directly on the mainline. But it fishes the same with the weight at the bottom and the hook up above. Really subtle movements are best. We’re not talking speed jigging here! Drop Shotting is a technique used for lures, but by all means try with worm to get your confidence up with the method. Good luck with the Perch.