Perch or Stripey are carnivores and great predators. They swim in clear or murky waters, they're not fussy, but are mainly found where food is most abundant.

The most popular food for the larger specimen Perch is small fish such as Rudd, Roach, Zander or Small Perch. Gudgeon are also great because they make a lot of disturbance which attracts the attention of passing Perch. Try a baitfish of around 5" in length. Lob worms are also a good bait for the bigger fish (a good tip is to nip off the end of the worm to allow the scent to dissipate in the water).

Other good baits for all sizes of Perch are Maggots (particularly flavoured maggots), Lures and Deadbaits. Try a variety of baits to see what is working on the day. You'll also need to feed the swim, not only to draw the target Perch in to the area but also to draw in the smaller fish which will in themselves provide a food source for the larger specimens. A good groundbait can be made from breadcrumbs (or mashed bread) as the bulk with a handful of chopped worms and a teaspoon of curry powder (the colder the day, the hotter the curry powder!).