Perch on twisters and micro-jigs
Perch hunt in shoals around structure: pilings, jetties, snags, rocks and weed. The strike is short and decisive, and where you've caught one perch, there are usually more.
With a small twister on a light jig head (micro-jig) you can catch them easily from the bank, on almost any water. It's also the best way to learn spinning.
Species: Perch
What you need
- Rod: a 1.8-2.3 m ultralight rod, casting 1-8 g.
- Reel: size 1000-2000.
- Line: 0.04-0.08 mm braid or 0.14-0.18 mm fluorocarbon.
- Leader: 0.16-0.20 mm fluorocarbon, about 1 m (on braid).
- Jig head: 1-5 g, with a small hook to match the lure.
Baits
- 3-6 cm twisters and shads.
- Small soft-plastic worms and crayfish.
- Small spinners and 3-5 cm micro crankbaits.
- The drop shot rig, for sluggish perch in deep water.
When to fish
- All year round, outside the closed season; in summer, morning and evening, in autumn all day.
- In winter, in deep water, with a very slow retrieve.
- Shoals of small fry leaping at the surface give away hunting perch.
Where are you fishing
- Jetties, pilings, snags, weed edges, holes, harbours, channels, reservoirs and slow rivers.
- Note: in winter (1 January - 15 March and 1 November - 31 December), fishing is banned within 250 m upstream and downstream of bridges with piers in the riverbed, and within 250 m upstream of reservoir dams.
Step by step
- 1
Rig up. Tie on the leader, then the jig head with a Palomar; thread the twister on the hook so it sits straight.
- 2
Cast next to structure. Cast next to a piling, a snag or weed and let the jig sink to the bottom on a tight line.
- 3
Retrieve slowly. Steadily, with small lifts of the rod tip, or in short steps.
- 4
Stay on the shoal. After the first perch, cast again to the same spot: the shoal is usually still there.
- 5
Change things if it isn't working. With no strikes, change the colour, size or depth, then the spot.
- 6
Strike short. Strike short, from the wrist, and don't force the fight: a perch's mouth tears easily.
Common mistakes
- A lure that's too big for the perch in that water.
- Retrieving too fast, especially in cold water.
- A leader that's too thick, spoiling the action of the small lure.
- Leaving the spot after the first fish, while the shoal is still there.
Rules on natural waters
Perch
Minimum size: 12 cm
Species closed season: 20 March - 7 June
General closed season: 9 April - 7 June (the periods differ on border waters and in the Danube Delta)
Daily limit: At most 5 kg of fish per day, or a single fish if it's over 5 kg.
The rules above are for natural waters (rivers, lakes, the Danube), where you also need a permit. On a private lake the lake's rules apply: many are catch & release or have their own limits.
For information only, not guaranteed legal advice. There are many local exceptions (Danube Delta, border waters, catch-and-release sections) not covered here. Always check the official ANADSPA (formerly ANPA) source before fishing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the drop shot rig?
The weight sits at the end of the line and the hook is tied higher up, with the soft bait 20-50 cm above the bottom. The bait quivers on the spot, and it's very good when perch sit deep and won't chase.
What colours work for perch?
In clear water, natural ones (green, brown, silver); in murky water, chartreuse, orange or white.
What is the minimum size for perch, and when is the closed season?
In natural waters, the legal minimum size is 12 cm; smaller fish must be released. It has its own closed season: 20 March - 7 June. The general closed season also applies on natural waters: 9 April - 7 June.
Step-by-step guides
- Rig guide: Jig for zander and perch
- Fishing knots: Palomar
- Releasing fish properly: Zander and perch brought up from deep water
Fishing for perch by county
Find where to fish in the RoFish app
The map of fishing lakes and public waters across the country, the species filter, the rules of every spot and “Am I allowed to fish?” for the day you pick are in the RoFish app, on your phone.