/ 
Pike-perch fishing from the shore
Today, more and more anglers agree that pike-perch can be caught efficiently from a boat. In fact, some anglers can no longer do without electronic echo sounders to locate structures or even fish directly. Fishing from a boat is also a precise way of presenting a pike-perch lure slowly, very close to the bottom.
Nevertheless, pike-perch is still a fish that should be fished from the bank, even if the plethora of articles on the subject mention or imply boat fishing in almost 90% of cases. From the shore, you'll need to "relearn" a few basics to find the right sectors and regulate your catches.
What's more, shore fishing is very useful in winter, when predators such as pike-perch move almost mechanically closer to the banks. Line fishing with a soft lure requires a great deal of perseverance, especially when it comes to finding the right sectors.
The first few outings often end in empty shells. But experience and knowledge of the spots pay off in the end, and the efforts of "long-term" fishing are often rewarded handsomely!
Why from the shore?
December and January are among the best months for stalking pike-perch. As the old-timers know, this is often when they "go out" to fish for predators.
The cold has spread to the whole of France, and the temperature of the waters, which are generally in flood, is barely above 5 degrees Celsius...
Despite the hostile weather conditions, pike-perch are in full swing. Forage fish (bleak, roach, bream, etc.) are congregating in large numbers in pools and areas where the current is less strong.
The fish then make little effort to overcome the power of the current and can feed without too much difficulty. Predators, such as pike-perch, are on the lookout for this food manna and are very active during this period.
Their activity is not constant, and peaks are often observed. It's not uncommon to hit several pike-perch in a very short space of time, when you've previously spent several hours scratching the area without getting a bite... Why from the shore, you may ask?
This is because the majority of fish retreat zones during winter floods are located close to the banks, in the sheet piles, eddies, counter-currents and calms formed by the structures and shape of the bank.
It's also in line with the modern philosophy of "street fishing", since urban structures, quays, harbors, marinas and other locks and canals are ideal locations.
Flooding is a key period for shore anglers, who would be wrong to miss out, especially as good catches are not uncommon. What's more, high water is not a very comfortable time to take the boat out...
Finding the right job
Although pike-perch come closer to the bank (or should I say baits) in winter, finding a good spot is still a tedious job. One of the biggest difficulties in linear pike-perch fishing lies in finding the right spots.
This is one of the keys to success. The need for good timing combined with perfect knowledge of the area explains, in part, why pike-perch are so little sought-after in "shore fishing" competitions. From shore, it takes more time than from a boat (with electronics) to get a good feel for the pike-perch holding areas.
Still on the subject of the importance of the position for pike-perch fishing, it is not uncommon to hear from some anglers (surely a little jealous) that pike-perch specialists on the bank are so because they know good positions and not because they are fine technicians... There's certainly some truth in this, as pike-perch have a strong tendency to congregate in restricted areas in winter, but technique is not a point to be neglected.
From the shore, locating a good area is certainly more tedious than from a boat, but with a little perseverance it's quite possible to find an area that will allow you to catch fish all winter long, at least until closing time. First of all, avoid areas with too much current.
Apart from the fact that they often "hold" very few fish, these areas are either impenetrable or very difficult to fish. The aim is to present your soft lure as close to the bottom as possible. If the current is too strong, this will be mission impossible, even with a heavy-weight lead head.
Start with the most prominent structures. Focus your search on the eddies and dampening caused by the presence of structures (dolphins, docks, islands...) and shoreline shapes. The entrance to a dock, for example, is a prime location in winter. Use the Internet (google maps and geoportail) to easily locate this type of position. And don't hesitate to linger over an area where other anglers seem to be looking for the same thing as you...
Once you've chosen a place to fish, you still need to fish it well and find the fish. To do this, I believe it's essential to have the right rod and reel set to tackle pike-perch fishing from shore. In any case, time and experience are the best guarantees of success in this long-term fishery.
Knowledge of the position is the most important factor in this approach. However, you mustn't neglect the technical and material aspects, and the cane will be one of the key tools of your success...
