Predators

Predators is a ten part series on Discovery Home & Leisure. It studies a range of well-known predatory fish, analysing how they operate and how to catch them. Hosted by angling journalist Kevin Green, the series captures the live drama and battle of wits anglers face when fishing for predators.

The series features great underwater camera-work, showing the predators in action, as well as all the facts you need on each fish and advice on which bait and methods to catch it.

FISHINGmagic has preview tapes of all 10 episodes and Norfolk predator specialist and journalist Chris Bishop will give his view each week.

Remember your first perch..? So many of us were hooked for life after a tiny stripy grabbed our worm or maggot.

Bigger perch are a far more challenging quarry. But who better to ask than self-confessed perch nut Steve Burke, who’s spent 35 years pursuing them.

After being nearly wiped out by disease just decades ago, the perch is making a comeback. Bigger fish than ever are being caught and Steve believes commercial fisheries, where perch end up among tightly-stocked shoals of small fish, are as good as any when it comes to targeting a monster.

Steve talks presenter Kev Green through his resistance-free float and leger rigs, before baiting his swim with maggots laced with an attractant.

Then scientist Simon Smith makes one of his cameo appearances to get us on better terms with the perch.

“It’s a truly proud fish, a highly agile predator,” he reminds us.

Steve gets to work with his big dead baits. Kev thinks they’re a little pike-sized, but as Kev’s still admiring a three inch specimen he’s tempted on a worm Steve’s into a much bigger fish on a dead roach.

Then it’s Kev’s turn, hooking a much better fish as the light fails.

“You’ve got a PB here,” says Steve, but the line goes slack as the hook pulls. Kev’s magnanimous in defeat, even as Steve chimes: “I hate to say it but that was a four pounder…”

You’ve got to feel for Kev when he shrugs: “That was one of the most gutting fish losses I’ve had…”

Part two sees our pair lure fishing and Steve has some interesting ideas on that score too.

Dusk sees the perch come on the feed again, with some unusual lures producing the goods.

Another riveting half hour, in which the perch shines through as a worthy opponent. It had me vowing to give them more attention in the future at any rate.

Next week: Thames Sharks