Perch Fishing with Micro Lures
When I filmed Perch Fishing with Micro Lures with Fox Rage, I wanted to show just how much fun you can have with a light setup, tiny soft plastics, and a stretch of river on a warm day. It wasn’t about chasing monsters or landing a PB, but about stringing together plenty of bites and enjoying every fish, big or small.
I walked across a couple of fields to reach the section of river I fancied fishing. It was late summer, t-shirt weather, the sort of day when you just know perch will be active. The idea was simple: cover water, keep things moving, and get as many perch as possible on small lures.
Ultra UV Micro Fry
Getting Started
The setup couldn’t have been lighter. I carried the Fox Rage TR Light Spin rod paired with the TR500 reel– a gorgeous combo that made even the smallest perch feel lively. But honestly, you don’t need top-end gear to enjoy this. Any light spinning rod rated 8–10g would do the job nicely.
Fox Rage TR Light Spin rod and TR500 reel
On the business end, I rigged tiny jig heads—1g, 2g, or 3g depending on the swim—with micro soft plastics. We’re talking Fox Rage Micro Fry, Spiky Shads, and Micro Critters, mostly around 4cm long. That’s small, but that’s the point. When you want numbers of perch and constant action, micro lures are unbeatable.
A nice range of tiny lures
Smaller the better – Fox Rage Tiddler Fast
First Fish on the Bank
It didn’t take long. My first cast into a crease in the flow brought a little perch almost instantly. Only small, but that was the idea – get the bites coming, keep the rod bending, and enjoy the action. I didn’t even bother with the camera for the first few because I was catching so many.
Small perch on a small spikey shad
I moved down to another swim where water poured in from a side channel. First cast – bang, another perch. Within minutes I’d had half a dozen. By the time I’d fished that swim for 15 minutes, I’d caught around ten. None were big, but every single one was brilliant fun on light tackle.
A net full of perch
That’s one of the best things about fishing micro lures: you get constant feedback, constant signs of life. If you’re just getting into perch fishing, or trying to get kids hooked on it, this method is perfect. The bites keep coming, which makes the whole experience exciting right from the start.
Not big but lots of fun
Why Micro Lures Work
A lot of anglers think lure fishing has to be about big baits and big fish. Sure, that has its place, but downsizing opens up a whole new world. Tiny lures imitate fry and insects that perch are hammering all year round. They look natural, they move naturally, and perch simply can’t resist them.
Perch Fishing with Micro Lures also teaches you loads of skills you’ll use later. You get to practice controlling jig heads, varying retrieves, and feeling for those delicate bites. Plus, when winter comes and the fishing gets tough, scaling down can save blank days. That’s why I like practicing this style in summer – so it’s second nature when conditions are harder.
A range of little tiddlers
How I Worked the Lures
The technique was straightforward. I’d cast towards the far bank, let the lure sink for a moment, then start a steady retrieve with occasional pauses and twitches of the rod tip. That stop-and-go action often triggered bites – the lure would hang for a split second, and perch would smash it on the pause.
Steady retrieve, throwing in the odd pause
At one point, I even caught one right under my feet. I was about to lift the lure out when a perch darted from the margins and nailed it. Those moments keep you grinning all day.
Ultra UV Micro Spiky Shads
Throughout the session I switched colours and shapes. The Ultra UV Micro Spiky Shads in particular were deadly. At just 4cm, they looked tiny in the water but nailed perch after perch. Honestly, if I had to catch a perch to save my life, that’s the lure I’d tie on.
Stepping Things Up
After catching loads of small perch, I fancied trying for something bigger. I stepped up from 4cm lures to 5–7cm Slick Shads and even thought about going to 9cm as dusk approached. Straight away, the bites slowed down, which was expected, but I still managed a few fish on the bigger lures.
Fox Rage Ultra UV Slick Finesse
That’s the trade-off – small lures mean numbers, bigger lures give you a chance of size. The truth is, big perch will still hit micro lures, but upping the size sometimes helps filter out the smallest ones. On this trip, though, it stayed a numbers game, and I was more than happy with that.
Constant Action
By the time I’d moved through a few swims, I’d lost count of how many perch I’d caught. Some came mid-river, some tight to snags, and others right in the margins. A lot of the fun came from just covering ground – fishing for 10–15 minutes in one swim, then moving on.
The Spikey Shad – An absolute perch magnet
That’s another key tip with micro lure fishing: keep your feet moving. Perch shoals often switch on once one or two are caught, but equally, bites can dry up quickly. By moving regularly, you keep finding fresh fish and fresh action.
Tackle Breakdown
For anyone wanting to try this style, here’s the simple setup that worked:
Rod: Fox Rage TR Light Spin (but any 8–10g light rod will do)
Reel: TR500, spooled with light braid or fluorocarbon
Jig Heads: 1g–3g, size 4 hooks
Lures: 4–7cm Fox Rage Micro Fry, Spiky Shads, Micro Critters, Slick Shads
Retrieve: Steady with pauses and twitches – most bites came on the pause
A 3g jighead so that I can fish with a bit of pace
Honestly, you don’t need to overcomplicate it. The key is keeping things light, mobile, and fun.
Wrapping Up Perch Fishing with Micro Lures
As the sun dipped and a bit of rain rolled in, I called it a day. By then I’d had dozens of perch – nothing massive, but plenty of action and a proper laugh all the way through. That’s the beauty of perch fishing with micro lures: it’s not about size, it’s about fun, learning, and confidence.
End of an awesome days fishing
If you’re new to lure fishing, this is hands down the best way to start. The gear is light, the bites are frequent, and you don’t need to break the bank to get going. And if you’re already into it, it’s still worth having a box of micro lures in your bag- they’ll save the day when bites are hard to come by.