Perttu Haanpää's Precision Fishing Tips for Targeting Large Predators

When discussing large fish and trophy photos, one cannot overlook Perttu Haanpää from Karkkila in Finland. This article provides essential fishing tips for starting precision fishing. He is fascinated by the thrill and adrenaline that hooking big fish produces. There are fewer large fish in our waters and finding them requires a lot of work. Perttu's travel log contains hundreds of hours and lists dozens of lakes and water bodies; successes in unknown waters require not only expertise but also a good deal of luck.

Catching big fish gives the angler a feeling that cannot be obtained from anything else. The first adrenaline rush comes when you find that big fish and get it under your jig. From this moment begins a battle of exhaustion, where there are only winners. The fish wins if it rejects the lure; I win if the fish strikes.

"When a big fish bites, it feels like your breath and heart stop. Usually, they don't even take or show interest in the jig, but then when the strike comes and the rod bends, that's when the next adrenaline spike hits and even the more experienced angler might shake a bit," Haanpää muses.

 

Responsibility in Precision Fishing

When targeting large breeding fish, it's important to remember responsibility! These predators, which thin out our cyprinid populations, should be released back into their element if their condition allows. For this reason, Haanpää always has the necessary tools ready on his boat: a measuring tape, scale, pliers, camera, etc.

"I handle and document the fish as quickly as possible. Weighing is done directly from the water in a net, and the fish is weighed in the net. I lift the fish from the net and show it to an automatic camera, after which I release it back into the water, sometimes using a measuring tape in between."

For Haanpää, the best feeling for both body and mind comes only when the big fish kicks back from his hands into the depths after being documented. This is a moment when the angler pauses for a while. Fishing is actually the only thing for Haanpää where his mind resets, and he can focus solely on it. Many anglers can relate to this—it's not about the catch, but about the overall mental recharge. A day job at the factory, his own company, another business with a friend, a beloved family with whom he has a large horse farm. This combination keeps the body and especially the mind a little too busy.

"I just sit on a chair, look at the scenery, and sip coffee, if there's any left. At the same time, I make sure that the fish does not come to the surface due to stress or the like. I don't consider myself a responsible angler because I always target those big individuals. I believe big fish are the most sensitive and delicate to handle."

In precision fishing, it's crucial to be very careful with fish handling and strive to release large individuals. Haanpää does not consider this style of fishing very responsible. In his view, it's more about experiential fishing.

 

Boat Electronics for Precision Fishing

From the beginning, Haanpää’s boat has only been equipped with Lowrance electronics. The interface and reliability of the devices have been significant factors in his brand choice. In addition to usability, getting to know people working in the industry and the help they offer has made it easier for him to stick with Lowrance’s boat electronics.

The year 2020 brought discussions about live devices, especially their use for catching record fish. Many anglers have been able to set new records more easily with the help of electronics. Live technology has provided a significant relief and shortcut to this precision fishing, as there is no longer a need to learn to read images provided by 2D, DSI, or side-scan sonars. Haanpää’s own records were set before the era of live technology, and the numbers are so high that they are not easily broken even with live assistance.

• Pike ~130 cm 16.2 kg
• Zander ~100 cm 14.9 kg

Haanpää’s fishing approach has been heavily criticized even among his friends, as the fishing strategy is "electronics first." Achieving the aforementioned records required hundreds if not thousands of hours of just driving the boat and studying various sonar views and features. After the training, when record fish began to be caught and they grew larger, backstabbing surprisingly began. Fish envy is an unfortunate disease.

“It’s unfortunate when people spend their time criticizing and disparaging others' efforts. Though it was to be expected, now many friends, who once criticized my fishing style, have gotten top-notch live devices and now they too are glued to the screen. Now, it's suddenly all good and the greatest way to fish," Haanpää laments.

Haanpää’s Boat Electronics

• Two 12" Lowrance HDS Live
• 9" Lowrance HDS Live
• LiveSight transducer
• Active Imaging 3-1 transducer
• LSS-3D box

Precision Fishing with Live Technology

Lowrance previously introduced the LiveSight sensor, which truly revolutionized many anglers' approach, especially regarding vertical jigging and casting. Garmin had released its own version of live technology called Panoptix LiveScope a few years earlier. In spring 2021, it was time for Lowrance's brand new Active Target Live transducer, which became a "game changer" for Haanpää.

"With this, you can efficiently scan bays, vegetated areas, rocky areas, etc... The sensor allows me to precisely locate not only the structure of the bottom but also target fish and schools of fish. What's better than searching for a school of bream at sea and starting to bomb it? Now the Active Target sensor released by Lowrance produces such sharp images that its accuracy is a delight to the eye. It will definitely revolutionize my fishing next season. A narrower beam and long range allow for very precise casting without having to drive the boat over the fish, which can easily scare them and make them sense that something is not normal," hints Haanpää.

Forward Mode

• When you want to fish very precisely by casting without scaring the target fish by driving the boat too close.

Scout Mode

• Scout Mode is perfect when scanning shallower lakes, as it allows for very precise viewing of shallower areas. Thanks to the wide beam, it also clearly shows vegetation, rocky areas, and schools of fish, not to mention larger target fish.

Downward Mode

• Downward Mode is then ideal for vertical jigging directly under the boat. It is much more precise because of its narrower beam than LiveSight.

The beam of LiveSight is significantly wider than that of Active Target, which means the image produced by the LiveSight sensor is not as sharp, but it covers a much larger area under the boat. It is for this reason that Haanpää plans to keep the LiveSight sensor in use as well.

With these tips, tight lines and rewarding fishing trips with precision fishing to everyone.

Text: Juha Salonen and Perttu Haanpää

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