The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

Back in our youth my brother and I both remember reading that Perch could be caught on sweetcorn but neither of us recall ever having caught one in about 47 years angling.

During the recent hot spell that changed. I had over a dozen from 3 different stillwaters and my brother has had a handful on one stillwater he fishes. Even my girlfriend chipped in with a couple of these vegetarian Perch! The largest was about 6 inches.

So, I was wondering, does anyone else have experience of catching Perch on sweetcorn and does anyone have any idea why we should start catching them during the recent hot spell?

I have caught perch on sweetcorn many times, but mainly when reeling in. I suspect it's the colour and movement like a lure.

Possibly like grayling - they think it is an egg! Carp egg perhaps?

Grayling possibly think sweetcorn are salmon eggs - and are willing to take the grains - which may be harmful to them esp if eaten in large quantities.

I think I may have nabbed the odd Perca to sweetcorn but not on a regular basis

In a water that was stuffed with small rudd they still went for static boilies. As with humans. a little of what you fancy.......

I always thought that small perch were more omnivorous as they had to eat whatever they could to grow.
Once they reach a certain size they become more and more hunters but will still scavenge when necessary.

One they reach a certain size they also become remarkably difficult to locate let alone catch............

I may be wrong but they seem to have a shortish lifespan?

Hence here today & gone tomorrow which happened on a section of the Kennet I fished. 2s a plenty and the occasional 3+. Then not even small ones!

My best perch took a trotted tare; my second best, a grain of hemp.
My third best took a smelt, and was a bit under a pound and a half.
I don't understand or particularly like catching them them, but they put me off using worms and maggots, which keeps things cheap, I suppose.
I would enjoy catching them if they were more reliably easy to unhook. And less spikey.

I've recently started catching perch on corn. Not moving but static on the bottom. I think it may say more about the food levels in the lake rather than the liking of perch for corn