Nile perch fishing rods & equipment – Fishing gear in Uganda
Nile perch fishing rods & equipment – Trolling Rods & Reels Trolling rods are generally boat or up-tide rods of 20 – 30lb class and between 7′ and 9′. These should be teamed with medium sized multipliers capable of holding 200 yards plus of 30lb line. Abu 7000s and 10,000s, Shimano TLD 15s and Penn GLS 25s are top of our list.
Nile perch shore Fishing Rods & Reels.
To land a big fish from the shore, you need to fish heavy. Rods should be 10′ – 12′ with a test curve of 3.5lb – 4lb. Reels should be big enough to hold at least 200 yards of 20 – 30lb monofiliment.
For Tiger fish and smaller Nile perch, you can use lighter tackle. A carp or spinning rod of 9′ – 12′ with a test curve of between 1.5lb and 2lb with a good medium fixed spool is ample. Line class should be 15 – 20lb b.s. Line
Nile perch fishing lines.
Do not underestimate the strength of Nile perch, and equally the terrain they inhabit. A minimum of 30/40lb b.s. monofilament for trolling and 20lb b.s. for heavy shore work. For Tigers and smaller perch 12lb to 15lb b.s. monofiliment is fine.
Braided lines have not proved to be sufficiently reliable to take on Nile perch. They do have a lot of advantages, but take note of the negative side:-
Braided line has no stretch and when you are fighting a big fish which drags you over the rocks, braid brakes much more easily than monofiliment. Mono filament line has the advantage of being able to ‘bounce’ off the rocks because it can stretch. When a braided line becomes frayed it is very difficult to see where the damage is and you end up fishing with 50lb b.s. line with a damage area that reduces it to 10/20lb b.s. On the other hand, with monofiliment you can see and feel the damage and immediately scrap it. Whatever line you prefer, please bring enough – at least 200m. A 30/40lb Nile perch crash diving through rocks can easily trash 50 yards of line.
Nile perch leader lines and Traces.
You have a choice of three materials for your trace: nylon coated wire, standard multi strand wire or heavy monofilament.
If you select wire, for trolling and heavy shore fishing 60lb – 80lb b.s. wire is ideal, and for Tigers and small perch use 30lb b.s. multi strand.
People’s preference for trolling is 80 to 100lb b.s. monofilament. Mono lacks finesse and is difficult to knot, but is strong and reliable. Again, monofilament’s ability to ‘bounce’ over rocks gives it an advantage.
For shore fishing wire has the advantage because it is thinner and tends to be more flexible.
Trolling traces should not be shorter than the length of your rod and should be used in conjunction with a double main line leader secured with a Bimini twist or similar knot.
Nile perch hooks and weights.
Most lures are supplied with split rings and hooks that are totally inadequate for big perch. The only reliable trebles available are Gamakatsu, Mustad 5Xs and the VMCs used on Rapala lures. Bring size 1 up to 3/0.
Rapala and Wolverine split rings are trustworthy in the bigger sizes. Bring spares, as even the best hooks and rings get damaged regularly.
Most lures are supplied with split rings and hooks that are totally inadequate for big perch. The only reliable trebles available are Gamakatsu, Mustad 5Xs and the VMCs used on Rapala lures. Bring size 1 up to 3/0.
Rapala and Wolverine split rings are trustworthy in the bigger sizes. Bring spares, as even the best hooks and rings get damaged regularly. Contact Great Adventure safaris to help you get all the required Nile perch fishing rods & equipment with all the permits.