Perch Lures

• For UK perch, smaller is better most of the time.

  Recommended sizes:

  • Soft plastics: 5–7.5 cm (2–3 inches)

  • Ned rig plastics: 5–7 cm

  • Hard baits: 3–6 cm

  • Spinners: Size 0–2

  Big perch will happily eat small lures, but small perch struggle with big ones. Downsizing also helps when canals are pressured or fish are shy.

  Only scale up if:

  • You’re specifically targeting big perch

  • You’re fishing deeper water

  • There’s a strong baitfish presence

Yes - Ned rigs are one of the most effective perch methods in the UK, especially on canals and slow rivers.

Why they work so well:

• Ultra-subtle presentation

• Neutral buoyancy triggers inactive fish

• Perfect for pressured waters

• Excellent in cold water and high-pressure conditions

Fish them painfully slow along the bottom with small hops or a simple drag-and-pause. Many bites come when the lure is completely still.

If perch are following but not committing, a Ned rig is often the difference between blanking and bagging up.In murkier canals or low light, switch to chartreuse, junebug, orange, or UV-reactive patterns to increase visibility.

For UK perch, smaller is better most of the time.

Recommended sizes:

• Soft plastics: 5–7.5 cm (2–3 inches)

• Ned rig plastics: 5–7 cm

• Hard baits: 3–6 cm

• Spinners: Size 0–2

Big perch will happily eat small lures, but small perch struggle with big ones. Downsizing also helps when canals are pressured or fish are shy.

Only scale up if:

• You’re specifically targeting big perch

• You’re fishing deeper water

• There’s a strong baitfish presence

Both catch perch, but they shine in different situations:

• Paddle-tails → Best for covering water and finding active fish.

• Creature baits / worms → Better for pressured or cold-water fish that want a subtle presentation.
  Carolina, Texas  or light jig rigs suit creature baits especially well.