Perch Guiding - Guided fishing tours for perch

Content:
1. What is a guided perch fishing trip, and is it the same as perch guiding?
2. What can I expect from a perch guide and their perch guiding?
3. Is it better to go perch guiding from a boat or from the shore?
4. Natural bait fishing? Let a perch guide show you successful techniques, methods, and bait presentations
5. How much do perch guidings or guided perch fishing trips cost?
6. The best time of year to catch a very large (40/45+ cm) perch with a perch guide.
7. What fishing technique should I use for perch, and can my perch guide teach me? 

What is a guided perch fishing trip, and is it the same as perch guiding?

Although these two terms differ, they essentially mean the same thing. A tour, a day, a few hours, or even several days spent with an experienced perch angler by the water. They can explain perch fishing to you, show you new spots, or simply provide company by the water if you already have the knowledge.

What can I expect from a perch guide and their perch guiding?

When booking a perch guide, you naturally want to catch fish. Perch, in particular, are "grateful" target fish compared to other species. Especially "smaller" perch, those up to 30 or 35cm, often travel in large schools. What does this mean? If your guide finds the school, you'll be surrounded by fish and have no trouble catching double-digit numbers. But if you want to catch a truly large perch, it also requires patience and perseverance, which you should expect from your guide as well. While catching perch of 40cm and larger is relatively regular when you know how, it's not guaranteed every day. However, with a skilled and successful angler as your guide, you have a good chance of breaking your personal best. Whether it's a 50+ cm perch will also depend on luck to some extent. Even the best guides only catch such exceptional fish relatively rarely. In summary, perch are a rewarding species for guided fishing. You will likely have a great time when you go out with an experienced perch angler. Additionally, during a perch guiding, you can ask the pro direct questions, get tips and tricks on bait selection, the best perch spots, or equipment recommendations, such as which perch rod to use. Keep in mind that the larger your perch goal, the more challenging it will be to achieve, even with a guide, so adjust your expectations accordingly.

Is it better to go perch guiding from a boat or from the shore?

Answering this question for perch isn't straightforward. Unlike zander, pike, and many other fish, perch, especially large perch, often stay close to the shore and even in shallow water. Of course, no one can deny the advantage of covering a lot of water when fishing from a boat. However, a shore angler who knows their spots well can reliably catch "big" perch as well. It depends on how well you understand perch and their locations during different seasons. What boat anglers have over shore anglers is the ability to reach underwater features known as "perch hills." These are underwater hills or mounds that are significantly higher than the surrounding lakebed. Sometimes, these hills are in the middle of the water and out of reach for shore anglers. Undoubtedly, these are promising spots, but there are many such features in the shoreline areas of lakes. So, it doesn't always have to be a boat; it depends on the skill and knowledge of your guide. Regardless of the method, you should be able to catch your fish.

Natural bait fishing? Let a perch guide show you successful techniques, methods, and bait presentations.

Fishing is not the same as fishing. You can use the same baits or techniques, but only one person catches fish. Why is that? Does using a natural bait like a worm or a baitfish guarantee catching perch every time? Don't freshwater anglers say, "If you catch a perch, your day's fishing is a success," because they always use natural bait? Well, it's a bit more complex. Natural baits are generally a good choice for perch, regardless of their size. However, larger perch often require special presentations, different rigs, or entirely different fishing techniques, whereas smaller perch will readily strike your bait without hesitation. The good news is that most guides know these tricks and can slowly work a worm on a dropshot rig or drag a small baitfish with a C-rig across the lakebed. Even float fishing with natural bait can be very successful if you're not an active artificial lure angler. So, let the guide explain these successful recipes for you to apply yourself.

How much do perch guidings or guided perch fishing trips cost?

It's challenging to provide a general average price for a perch guiding. For a pure shore-based perch trip, you can expect to pay around €80-€200 for approximately 6-8 hours. If you're heading out on a boat, keep in mind that expenses like boat rental, fuel, and boat maintenance will push the price higher. For a boat trip of similar duration, you might be looking at around €100-€400. There are exceptions to this rule, as it depends on various factors like the guide's experience, the equipment they have, whether they are a full-time or part-time guide, and more. Always keep in mind that pricing can vary greatly from one guide to another.

The best time of year to catch a very large (40/45+ cm) perch with a perch guide.

If you're on the hunt for truly big perch, here's some advice: book a guiding in the fall or winter. In the fall, as temperatures drop, perch become more active feeders. The colder it gets, including through the winter, the more concentrated perch locations become. So, if you go fishing with someone who knows these spots and the effective methods for the prevailing conditions, your chances of catching a big perch are quite good. This applies to both shore and boat fishing. Many anglers who spend spring and summer searching in vain for large perch suddenly catch their personal bests in the winter. However, it's still possible to catch a really good perch in the spring and summer, but they tend to be more scattered in the waters. But what if you don't want to freeze by the water in 0-degree weather? As mentioned earlier, you can plan a trip in the spring or summer, which can be very enjoyable. During these seasons, with ultralight rods and small lures, you can experience a high frequency of perch action. So, plan accordingly based on your goals and the most likely season for your desired experience.

What fishing technique should I use for perch, and can my perch guide teach me?

Usually, the answer is "yes." Experienced anglers often use various fishing techniques because flexibility can be essential on certain days to catch fish. Much of this depends on the guide's experience and personality. It's best to check beforehand, if provided, which fishing techniques and methods you can learn or practice during your trip. If you're unsure, you can even discuss this with your guide after booking to avoid any misunderstandings. In most cases, refunds can be arranged after booking if the chosen techniques do not align with your expectations. Keep in mind that years of angling experience are a good indicator of whether your guide can offer a variety of fishing techniques and methods or not.