The search for perch.

[rb85]

Few nights back I was looking at the weather forecast and saw some potentially promising signs for some surface action. Couple of mornings later Kayaks on the roof up early Coffee and go time. No stop at MacShite for a Coffee and Nuggets this morning I had a traveller mug loaded with the good stuff I think you urban dwellers call them keep cups for some reason.

Upon reaching my destination I was greeted to little wind and a waning moon kayak in the optimism was up. Kayak in and away I go. The next two hours were a bit of a disappointment lots of casting and effort for one plop no hookup bummer, By then the sun was up there was no cloud cover and it was time for a change of approach hardbodies and soft vibes it is.(I googled that to ensure I wasn't making a xxxx reference)

Another hour and a half and I was frustrated and looking like the donut king, now reconsidering my life choices my moral was low. Upon approaching a nice looking snag I casted my soft vibe out centimetre perfect bang and on. Lesson 1 Have a backup plan.
After a short fight a small EP won it's freedom, next cast wasn't centimetre perfect snapped leader bummer. -$20

Couldn't see the lure as I pulled up to the bank adjacent for a look and to re-rig before I do I better have another cast twitch and bang on after a hard fight I have a solid perch next to the yak, as I go to lift the fish in SNAP leader knot breaks. Swear words -$40
Lesson 2 If you have a net USE IT you idiot.

Being peeved off with myself I rig the same lure and cast again BANG and on another good fish after a short fight I grab my net and land a nice EP that measured 40cm to the fork. After a quick photo I release the fish.
Lesson 3 Always carry replacement lures Lesson 4 Learn from your mistakes

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The next hour or so was red hot catching multiple Perch up to high 30's challenged by the nearby snag but managing to get all of them out estimate number of fish that I caught well over 20 off the snag leaving them striking.

Lesson 5 You don't need an expensive rod to catch fish. After reading the edge rod thread I thought I would mention the rod I used is an old ugly stick glass tip M-F action 15 years old the reel mid range okuma with braid sometimes you make do after losing $400 combo in drink.

Decided to quickly re-rig my good rod and get off the bank as the size of perch was dropping upon leaving I cruised by the snag and recovered my soft vibe. -$20

Lessom 5/6 Learn the FG and do it well quickly even if you forget your glasses and get your expensive lures back re-rig that lure.

Decided to make my way back to the car and search as I go trolled a hardbody and casted the soft vibe landing a few perch. Kept moving when I got a hit.
Lesson 7 If you get a hit work the area.
Going back over the weed bed casted the vibe lift, drop line twitches set hook and on after a great fight and another nice Perch at 38cm

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Had a fun day all fish swam off lost 1 lure lost a great fish but had fun.
The lessons were to help others and remind myself not intended to be arrogant.

[Nude up]

Great read mate nice work.

[Lightningx]

Nice report and pics mate.
Sounds like it started off as a slow day but gradually got much better!
Some very nice Ep’s there.
I really have to catch myself one of these things one day. Keep saying it to myself as well.
Nice work.
Cheers :thumbsup:

[Bugatti]

Sounds like a very eventful day Mr rb.

Well done on the fish too, great when a plan works out :a_goodjob: , , , , and sorry to hear about the casualties , , , , swearing helps, I know

When your thread said "search for perch" I actually thought something else

Great report rb :thumbsup:


Cheers, Bugatti

[rb85]

Cheers guys.

Nice report and pics mate.
Sounds like it started off as a slow day but gradually got much better!
Some very nice Ep’s there.
I really have to catch myself one of these things one day. Keep saying it to myself as well.
Nice work.
Cheers :thumbsup:

It was a very slow start but like all fishing you need to persist until you get it right and the fish are actively feeding.

If you get the time give it a go mate they fight hard and challenge you to turn them before they get to the snags. I don’t want to give away locations aside from the stocked lakes you will find perch at different times in the tributaries of PPB, Western Port, Anderson’s Inlet, Corner Inlet/Port Albert, Gippsland Lakes, Mallacoota Inlet and all the rivers between these that flow direct to sea. If your landbased your somewhat restricted but I have seen and caught fish myself at car parks even right near where you were salmon fishing.

[fishnut]

Top effort and nice report

[April Fool]

Excellent effort and report! The addition of pics makes it great and there is no way that you have given away your location as I remember from your previous posts that you were concerned about that.

Aplologies if you have mentioned it on previous threads but what weather do you look for in regards to surface fishing
Cheers
Jim

[purple5ive]

That's a great effort . Plenty of them down where you have mentioned so it's a matter of spending some time trying to find the buggers.
Cheers

[rb85]

Excellent effort and report! The addition of pics makes it great and there is no way that you have given away your location as I remember from your previous posts that you were concerned about that.

Aplologies if you have mentioned it on previous threads but what weather do you look for in regards to surface fishing
Cheers
Jim

Cheers Jim,
For Bass and EP surface action I look for a high barometer and low light conditions even better if you can get a few hours pre weather change in summer for Bass.

The locations I fish are no secret I just don’t want to encourage too much pressure on one area. For this species I practice 100% catch and release and take great care in ensuring the fish swims off strongly if people take 1 or 2 that’s fine but I don’t want someone reading areas and places getting inundated by people who may not respect the fish or the environment.

[rb85]

That's a great effort . Plenty of them down where you have mentioned so it's a matter of spending some time trying to find the buggers.
Cheers

Cheers mate they are great fun once found.