Rapala Countdown Elite 95 – Out of the box perch fishing!

A strange feeling ran thru my body as I felt the lure slowly hit the bottom. The vibrations thru my rod as I retrieved the lure from the bottom painted a scenario with clear waters and fleeing baitfish in my mind. Seconds later I felt a explosion thru my blank, followed up by some heavy and deep headshakes from a beautiful, fat and vibrant perch. – Jesus, this method really works!

The sound of the car engine has just fade away and I just opened the car door. -Ah fresh air. It is a cold morning with only five degrees and the wind is already picking up. The trees are slowly moving and the cold fresh air hits my lungs as I stepped out. 

I’m located on a boat ramp in The Netherlands. Perhaps in one of the world’s most well-known predator waters. The Hollands Diep. “The Baanan” as the ramp is called has become a gathering point for anglers from all over the world. Here you´ll find remarkable big pikes, huge zanders and perhaps your best perch fishing that you have experienced. Never has the chance to catch a perch over 50cm and 6Ibs been bigger then now. The last weeks rapports have been overwhelming with big fish and we were super exited. 

The line of boat trailers stacking up was endless. For a moment it almost got me stressed. Will there even be places left to fish? 

Infront of me stands my colleague and friend, a humble and extreme dedicated sportfisherman, Niels Peirsman. Niels lives in Belgium but has spend a lot of years, weeks, and hours around the delta waters of The Netherlands. A dedicated competition angler with several wins in the WPC individual class. 

The last bags where throwed into the boat and we were on our way. Seconds later, around the corner the massive waters turned up and revealed itself. Volkerak, Haringvliet and Hollands Diep is the three big delta waters with connections to both rivers and the big Atlantic Sea. The perch fishing in these areas is conducted on big flat areas, were we systematically searching out for structures, mussel banks, stony areas and smaller areas with vegetation and weed beds. Common places for the baitfish to hold up and where there´s bait there´s big predators around the corner. 

Countdown elite from Rapala is a updated version of the old classic countdown. The lure is made out of premium balsa with a wire thru construction. Overall, the new updated version is even more durable and with the small tungsten weights inside the casting features is just overwhelming. The new color in the arrangement is in my opinion spot on. Four different sizes and today we will dive into the 9,5 centimeters on 10-gram version.

Imitations and small worms that many of us presents in different techniques. Of course, effective as well but this is something else.  And to present ha wobbler on those deeper waters is in my opinion not that common. And my experience is that the bite is often very distinct and hard even on those slow days when the fish is not that active. 

The presentation when the lure lifts from the bottoms is not that distinct and sharp straight up and it gives us the ability to choose how to fish the Countdown Elite. One way is to let it sink all the way down. Followed up by some aggressive and fast retrieve to give the lure a more panicking and fleeing behavior. Or once again let it sink down and retrieve the lure very slowly with a steady monotony action really close towards the bottom. 

-fish! 

Niels stands with his rod bowed once again. 

-just in the paus when the lure was sinking, what a take. 

Another giant, and remarkable beautiful perch was laying inside the net!

Trends are made on the water!

Niels I still standing in the front, casting and casting. I´ve just taken some quick minutes of rest. The warming hot beverage is running down my through. The bitter and cold northern winds are biting, and our cheeks are blossy red. Well, the weather hasn’t been on our side that’s for sure. But luckily the perch fishing has been incredible, so our spirits were high. 

Taking the last zip of my warm drink and getting ready for some more casts. Checking the sonar screen and noticing a smaller shoal of fish on the left side. My countdown is already flying thru the air. Not to far. Giving the line some slack as my lure sinks down to the bottom. The concentration is high. Waiting to register any little movement in the line or smaller registrations in the rod. My Countdown is on the bottom now. Retrieve the line and feeling the tensions towards the lure. One, two three, and a longer pause. Letting the lure sink again. And from a schoolbook texture the strike came immediately and hard. 

-fish! Fish mate, this one feel nice!

48cm and 2400 grams. A brutal compact and beautiful perch in all her glory is laying in the net. These days has been truly incredible. Amongst friends, colleagues and sport fisherman all over Europe have had some remarkable catches this season. It really feels like the fish in these waters grows bigger and bigger every year!

During all the stay, we fished a lot of different lures. Everything from classic Rapala hard lures to softer jigs from Storm and cool products from VMC. But also had the privilege to fish some new upcoming lures that has been tested quite hard already. 

But to slow fish the Countdown Elite. A hard bait /wobbler in this almost “jigging” likening technic has been something else. Something that really stands out for me and I’m glad to have learn and seen this method live with Niels.

Is it an old method? Or is that younger buy in the front of the boat on to something fresh, cool and innovative? 

I’m looking at Niels for a while and he smiles back at me. -Pretty fun fishing right mate?  

Well, that for sure the right way to explain it. Humble, I’m packing my gear and smiling. Looking out over the waters as Niels steering the boat towards the ramp. A adventure and experience that I will never forget. Having so much fun, creating memories, meeting old and new friends. These days will be with me for a long time for sure. 

- Jonatan Nellfors -