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Learning to read water
The first rule is to read the water. As soon as the sun warms up shallow areas, schools of perch move in to hunt fry and small white fish. In both ponds and lakes, areas exposed to the wind, riprap, drowned trees and emerging weed beds can become highly productive.
The different techniques to be used
In terms of technique, discretion and finesse often make the difference. Small, lightly mounted soft lures remain a safe bet, especially when fished slowly at or just above the bottom. Microjigs, small shads and dropshot rigs allow you to fish with precision, especially when the fish are set on a specific position or are not biting much.
The choice of baits and colors depends very much on water clarity and fish activity. In clear water, natural hues inspire more confidence. When the water becomes coloured or the light decreases, more visible colors can help. Natural baits such as worms or small fish are also very effective, especially when perch are opportunistic feeders.
The presentation should remain flexible, with regular pauses. In spring, perch often respond better to a slow, precise presentation than to an overly rapid animation. It's important to test a number of different cadences, as a hit can come on the first cast as well as after several attempts at the same position.
The right approach
In practice, a good approach is to start by prospecting the sunny edges with a small, soft lure, then to insist on a more precise rig if the bites are slow in coming. When a shoal is spotted, don't hesitate to return to the area with a finer, slower presentation. This is often the setting that transforms a discreet outing into great fishing.
