How to catch big perch in the Winter.

Рет қаралды 10,768

Жыл бұрын

LINK TO THOMS EPISODE OF "PERCH MASTERS' with Nick Marsh ‪@Lifeonthebank‬
• PERCH FISHING MASTERS ...
In this video Westin fishing sponsored angler Thom Hunt discusses how to catch perch in cold water winter conditions, with different approaches like drop shot, ned rig, Carolina rig or creature baits fished in the coldest of water. As the water starts to warm slightly other methods like crankbaits, Jerkbaits and chatter baits can become to go-to methods.
For deep cranking the new (released in 2023) Westin Buzzbite Deep runner 6.5cm crank bait has been superb this winter catching multiple 4lb+ fish. The new Westin Jerk Bite Jerkbait has also been superb, especially the Medium Runner that can get down to depths of 10ft+ which is critical if the perch start to go deep as they will in cold water.
For drop shot methods, soft plastic lures like the hypoteez, bullteez, shadteez or crecraw are fantastic, and the Westin Ned worm for the Ned rig fished on a mushroom shaped stand up jig head is perfect

Пікірлер: 80

@fishingwithsam1096 Жыл бұрын

my fish for the year is a 3lb perch so I went and bought a fines 5g-20g dropshot rod and this helped so thanks.

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

No problem, glad you like my content and don't forget to subscribe! Good luck for a 3lber!

@fishingwithsam1096 Жыл бұрын

@@Thomhuntfishing dont worrey you are my fav perch angler

@JackSparrow-oi5jb Жыл бұрын

Thanks Tom always appreciated

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

No probs, thanks for watching and/or sharing! 🙏

@SaskFisher Жыл бұрын

Great video, Perch are one of my fav's to catch and eat

@Chrisowen1948Newbury Жыл бұрын

Another excellent video Thom thank you, tight lines for 2023

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

Thanks 🙏 HNY to you too

@Boris29311 Жыл бұрын

After two decades Zander fishing I am focusing on perch now.Thanks for your so well explained tips.There are so many techniques to catch them,which makes it a lot of fun.I subscribed to your channel👍.

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

Many thanks for the support Boris, and good luck in your new quest for Perch. They’re a fantastic species and fight really hard on light equipment 👍🏻

@Trev520 Жыл бұрын

Great stuff as always Thom 👏🏻👍🏻🎣 hope you have another successful year 😊

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

You too! May 2023 bring you many big fish!

@Afishermanstale Жыл бұрын

As always, well communicated top tips. The weather swings are something to think more about when deciding how we target the fish. low pressure and high pressure. Thanks for sharing 👍

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

Many thanks for the support 🙏

@jonathansmales5952 Жыл бұрын

Another excellent video. Learning a lot from these. Like your association with Westin and there vids. Also enjoyed your article for the Perch fishers mag. Kind regards Jonathan.

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

Hi Jonathan, many thanks for the kind words! Glad you’re enjoying my content 🙏

@mikeoutdoors22 Жыл бұрын

Great video and tips Thom. Delighted to see a new video 😁

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

Yep with a young family this year it’s been tough finding the time to make vids, but there will be plenty more in 2023! Thanks for your support of the channel 🙏

@mikeoutdoors22 Жыл бұрын

@@Thomhuntfishing gland to hear buddy, hope you and the family have a happy new year. And look forward to all the coming videos 🎉🎉🎉

@TomasJanicek Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing all of the experience Tom, your episode with Nick got me to try a few new things. :) really thanks. Just a quick question about any tips finding perch in flooded river? Tried locks, marina Close to main river but only managed to get 1 fish in marina further in. Fish acted very inactive.

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

For ‘open water’ areas they will be very localised now it’s cold so 95% of water holds no fish, 5% holds most of them! But once you find them there should be plenty there! The only other fish would probably be in either slack water getting out of the flow or very close to snags like fallen trees.

@TomasJanicek Жыл бұрын

@Thom Hunt thank you for quick reply

@victorsoderbergosteranggym9109 Жыл бұрын

I just hope Westin will release a W3 Finesse shad rod in both 10-28g and 12-38g, personally the price tag of the w4 and w6 rods are a bit steep as im currently studying. I think that the 7'6 lengt and 12-38g casting weight would be perfect for zander where i live.

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

Hopefully yes but I don’t know. For the money, the new W4 range is awesome, I can fully recommend them and I have both Finesse Shad rods, they’re super versatile for perch, Zander and I‘ve had some huge pike on them too

@markosborne9726 Жыл бұрын

Superb information and tips thank you. Looks like i need to be getting deeper to find the perch i have been struggling lately. Saw the perch masters with Mr Marsh another great vid with tons of info. Need to get the wallet out now and buy a few deep divers. Better still where's the wifes purse. 👍

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

Ha ha…. Early Xmas present maybe?! Yes it’s all relative, but generally as the water gets cold they will look for deeper water. On a canal this might be the deepest water they can find down the middle in 4ft….. on a deeper lake they might be looking for 20ft+

@Yosser70 Жыл бұрын

just found your channel, after seeing you on that perch masters series, life on the bank did. I’m just getting back into lure fishing, mainly for perch and pike but feel almost any course fish can fall to lures, so I’m wanting to target some different species.

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

Hi Dave, yes you’ll see a variety of tench, carp, bream, Rudd etc caught on lures throughout the year, but it’s not easy. Best time of year tends to be late spring as many species turn predatory after spawn has hatched and millions of tiny fry around 👍🏻

@Yosser70 Жыл бұрын

@@Thomhuntfishing Yeah, can imagine it's difficult. I've caught a carp, lip hooked on dead bait and a bream on the biggest catfish bait lol

@tomnicholson2686 Жыл бұрын

What wire do you tend to use when using a crank/jerk bait for perch? Ideally a thinner wire I imagine as only using 8-10lb braid.

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

11lb AFW is perfect 👍🏻 Had pike to nearly 30lb on it too

@johncoombs3128 Жыл бұрын

Perch masters was very good as it was a tough day,All very good info thom, but I would like to fish right in darkness more often,I’m sure the right lures would work,maybe a uv charged lure?does westin make one ?

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

Hi John, for Zander I know you can catch in the dark and many people use black lures and fish midwater so the lure creates a silhouette. For perch and pike I think you need a little bit of ambient light from street lights or houses for example, and although I’ve not done a huge amount of night lure fishing yes Westin do the Crecraw bait in Glow white, and Bullteez and Shadteez slim in the large sizes in a colour called Ghost Glow hunter all can be ‘charged’ up with a light and glow in the dark

@pulchaimago4u Жыл бұрын

Quick question. When to use if at all, split ring on lures to connect to main line or trace? I have split rings on all lures, but see you often connect to lure directly with quick connection clip with no split ring. Thanks

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

Split ring or no split ring, It doesn’t really make much difference I don’t think

@LOUISsg Жыл бұрын

great video! could you btw make a how to catch cold water pike video? love from Denmark😃

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

Yes, someone else requested that as well so I will get one done soon

@Catonkey1 Жыл бұрын

Hi Thom, thanks for the video. I don't know if this is something that needs in-depth discussion but as a noob to fishing and a noob to lure fishing, when should I have my rod tip up or rod tip down? Everyone I see lure fishing seems to always have it down, even when its not particularly windy.

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

Hi there, depends on a few things, method being one…. Drop shot keep it up, Ned’s and creatures keep it down (lower line angle helps keep bait on the bottom where supposed to be) Other than that, if it’s windy keep it down, if not I generally like to keep it up a little bit just to watch the braid for twitches and indications. The more methods you try the more experience you’ll get…. I guess everyone finds what works best for themselves!

@Rose.Of.Hizaki Жыл бұрын

Never used creature baits even though I have some from my savage gear perch kits (caught a lot of pike and perch with the little minnows/shads it comes with) But lets say Im fishing a still water where ive never seen a crayfish and have no idea they exist at the water. Would it still be a good idea to put one on the hook and see if the perch (or pike) will take it? Im guessing they still would but 3mins standing out in the freezing cold doing a super slow twitch/retrieve is not a lot of fun 😂 I tried flicking around a 6 cm spikey shad on a twitch/super slow retrieve and I still didnt catch anything. I'll be looking at picking up a small mix of salmo hornets soon.

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

Yes absolutely, the main thing is how to fish them, sometimes they wanna feed looking up (shads, jerkbaits) and sometimes they wanna feed looking down (creature baits, crank baits etc) Even if there's no crayfish in your venue there will almost certainly be insects/nymphs so the perch will be used to feeding on 'things grubbing around on the bottom'!

@markdavies8037 Жыл бұрын

Hi Tom, these videos really are a massive help to me. I have only started lure fishing in the new yr. i am loving it. Some days i catch a load and other days its a struggle, but those are some of the days i enjoy, trying super hard to just get a perch to avoif the blank. I would wonder if you could could give some advice on this question please. I was fishing today, found a load of bait fish, mainly bleak. But try asi might i only had 1 perch. I tried bleak like shads, perch shads, pintails. Etc. could there possibly have been too many bait fish? Or had the perch maybe had their fill earlier in the day. Take care Tom. Thanks

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

Yes, if I’m honest the best days are rarely around large shoals of bait. Simply too much natural food available and a plastic imitation isn’t quite as good! In those situations I find doing the complete opposite can often be good, so bright colours with rattles etc basically try making the lure stand out from the crowd 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

@markdavies8037 Жыл бұрын

@@Thomhuntfishing thanks Tom. Good to know i didnt ruin a potentially good area. I have a reasonable selection of lures but still need to get some of the more expensive hard baits. Thanks ever so much for the great reply. I fish a storm drain and im 4m up from the water. Would those crank/jerk baits work properly?

@simonspencer397 Жыл бұрын

All great talking about it and fishing easy waters. But I'd love to see a pro angler tackle waters where nobody is catching. Users suggest hard waters and the pro tries to crack them. Maybe not great youtube footage in terms of showing fish caught (but maybe it would be), but it's a great angle to cover that is different from all the other channels regurgitating all the same content.

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

Hi Simon, are you based in the UK? If so do you have any waters to suggest. Many places I know (and fish) have very high fishing pressure for large fish but there’s not many of them. But even on that water it’s not a case of ‘nobody is catching’ as the conditions make it easier or harder, times of day make it easier or harder etc etc so learning the right patterns allows people to catch.

@nathanielpudwellksi2506 Жыл бұрын

Brilliant idea Simon, I've been wanting to suggest this to some you tubers to be fair. I have a venue for you Thom if your interested. The summer and autumn fishing on the venue isn't too bad, not brilliant but OK, but winter is absolutely awful, I used to do well on the Thames but this river is a real toughy I often get 3 blanks in a row. When I used to fish the Thames I was almost guaranteed 2 Jack's in winter and I have only had one bite in the winter from a perch on this venue. I have heard another youtuber say it is a tough water. Let us know and I'll disclose the water with a pm not online of course, look forward to hearing from you, I bet you'd smash it and make me feel like a right tool 😁 be interesting to see though.

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

Hi Nathaniel sorry for delay yes do let me know and I’d love to possibly have a crack on that venue and see what I could learn!

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

@@nathanielpudwellksi2506 Hi Nathaniel see comment below re the tough venue!

@nathanielpudwellksi2506 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the reply Thom, the venue is the river mersey warrington its tidal before howley weir so after that weir is the location. Keep an eye out for the seal 🦭, the multiple herons and few dozen cormorants 🤣

@101karper Жыл бұрын

Great video Thom. Canals around here tend to have rocks to enforce the backside. What do I use as a crankbait or twitchbait to avoid to many hook ups ? Thx 🇧🇪

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

Try a shallower running crank or Jerkbait and if in/around rocks make sure it’s a floating version if you want to try hitting the bottom….. as soon as you feel it get stuck just pause and give slack line they often rise up out of the snag. Also you can adjust how deep any crank runs by keeping the rod high or low, so if it’s getting stuck regularly keep your rod tip high 👍🏻

@101karper Жыл бұрын

@@Thomhuntfishing thx m8!

@lexuscraig Жыл бұрын

Hi Thom, love your informative videos. What is the difference between buzzbite and babybite? Looking to purchase for still water between 10 and 15ft deep. Which would be best suited for winter fishing. Cheers!

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

Hi Craig, Buzzbite has a narrower body and the vibration rate is high giving a tighter ‘wiggle’, hence the buzz in the name. 4cm bait goes to 4ft, 5cm bait goes to 6-7ft, 6cm bait goes to 11ft, and the new (not out yet but very soon!) 6.5cm bait goes to 14-17ft. The Baby bite has a fatter/wider body meaning it has a wider ‘wobble’ and vibration is a deeper thump. Babybite SR goes about 5-6ft. Babybite DR goes to 12-14ft 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

@lexuscraig Жыл бұрын

@Thom Hunt Thanks for that mate. Tight lines.

@fishing9724 Жыл бұрын

Hi Tom, What's the best knot for braid to fluro? Thanks in advance. D

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

I think the FG knot gives highest strength rating but is very difficult to tie on the bank. I usually use an improved Albright knot as it’s so easy, but compromises a bit of strength.

@fishing9724 Жыл бұрын

@Thom Hunt Thanks Tom, using an albright knot ATM but had them fail a couple of times. I find it to be the neatest knot though so keep going back to it, what is the improved version if you don't mind me asking. Thanks in advance D

@fishing9724 Жыл бұрын

Found it on KZfaq, give it a go thanks D

@nathanielpudwellksi2506 Жыл бұрын

Brilliant love your videos mate. Its great to hear advice from such a successful fisherman. Would love one similar to this on pike. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, when you getting drafted for perch pro, is it on the cards?

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

Yes a couple of people have mentioned doing one on pike so I'll get one done! Not sure regarding Perch Pro, but keep your eyes peeled on the Westin main pages as I'm doing loads more content for them in 2023

@BUSTERy Жыл бұрын

New subscriber here I live in northern Ireland and fish private Lough's mainly. Not heavily fished but I'm having a real problem getting through the small pike, there are big perch as I've seen them following my pike lures ect but I've tried creature baits, worm imitations even tiny lures on dropshot but still nothing but pike any suggestions? I know a fish is better than nothing but I've decided to focus on catching a decent perch on purpose this year.

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

If you’re catching a lot of pike then definitely 1) slow the lures down and 2) keep them closer to the bottom. Slowly dragging baits without them lifting off the bottom will cut down pike takes, that doesn’t however guarantee perch! Are you on a boat or bank fishing?

@lionelgray Жыл бұрын

Interesting comments you made about the fish starting to becoming active as temp starts to creep up Thom but do you think that the air pressure also has an influence ?

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

Yes pressure is key, but mostly (in my opinion) because of the weather conditions its associated with. Low pressure is linked with cloud cover, wind, stormy conditions and a 'warm' front coming though with temperatures not only being higher but also more stable from day to night (say 12 in the day but still 8 over night). Where as high pressure is usually sunshine, clear skies, not much wind and say 6-8 degrees during the day but plummeting to frosts overnight.

@lionelgray Жыл бұрын

Thanks Thom, sadly the waters I usually fish are in flood so I'll have to wait until they run off a bit. 😩

@matthewward5892 10 ай бұрын

Where in England can you get Westin lures from?. Thankyou

@Thomhuntfishing 10 ай бұрын

Loads of places! If you request them in your local tackle shop they might be able to get them in. Online check out The Pike Shop, Predatortackle.Co.uk and The lure box 👍👍👍

@johnloxley8705 Жыл бұрын

Hi Thom….. first of all. Love watching your videos. … obviously. 👍👍😁😁🤣🤣…. Secondly, I have a very strange question to ask. I was down the canal the other day and I noticed someone was using two lures at the same time !! he had a jig head at the bottom with a lure and a drop shot about 18 inches above it …. Now I have never seen this before…. I thought it looked a rather good idea as you’re obviously covering two different levels of water. Obviously I don’t know if this is legal or not. Also if two fish were hooked and both went in different directions that could cause problems ( especially if they were fish of considerable size, ) Just thought I would put this one to you being an expert and obviously anyone else who has come across this before. much appreciated and look forward to hearing from you regarding this 🤔🤔👍👍🎣🎣😁😁

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

Hi John, yes I’ve heard of this before and also seen this used in Sea bass fishing with a small fly above a lure and apparently it works really well. I don’t think it’s illegal in any sense, but do know we’re not allowed to use ‘multi lure rigs’ in tournaments so I’ve never tried. Best bet is give it a go and let me know how you get on!

@johnloxley8705 Жыл бұрын

@@Thomhuntfishing that’s great news and something to try next time I manage to get out on the bank …. Thanks for that info and I knew you would know 👍😁….. but yes I most definitely will let you know if I have any luck …. If any 🤣🤣🤣…. Just want to say though a massive thankyou as your tips and tricks have definitely helped me approach my lure fishing with more confidence…. Still looking for my first 3lb perch too 😵😀🎣😁…. CHEEEEEEEERS THOM 🎣🎣🎣👍👍👍

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

@@johnloxley8705 Best of luck and no probs I really enjoy helping where I can. And 3lb perch are like buses, when you finally crack it you’ll get 2 or 3 in no time!

@johnloxley8705 Жыл бұрын

@@Thomhuntfishing well looks like I’m waiting for the bus / busses … fingers crossed …. 😉😉🎣🎣😁😁👍👍

@ComeFishingWithME Жыл бұрын

Do you use a high gear ratio for your cranking reels?

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

No I stick to standard ratio 2500 Shimano reels for nearly all my fishing so it’s standardised, then regardless of method I know if I’m going slow or fast

@ComeFishingWithME Жыл бұрын

@@Thomhuntfishing thank you

@bickleysanglingadventures5866 Жыл бұрын

Dont you get snagged up amd loose cranks alot if your digging them into the bottom, especially on canals

@Thomhuntfishing Жыл бұрын

Occasionally yes, but that’s where it’s critical to know exactly how your crankbaits run regarding depth. For canals, ‘kissing’ the bottom is probably a better phrase than ‘digging’ but on most canals a 4cm or 5cm is fine. Fished a 5cm Buzzbite a lot of the day on the recent LACC pairs comp and got snagged a couple of times but came out ok 👍🏻