Amsterdam offers excellent opportunities for predator fishing. From the IJ to the harbours and surrounding waters, strong populations of zander, perch and pike can be found. As a local fishing guide, I tailor every fishing trip to the current conditions and your wishes, allowing us to fish in a focused and effective way.
Different fishing trips in Amsterdam
Tastes differ when it comes to predator fishing. Some anglers are addicted to the distinctive “tok” of a zander smashing a shad, while others live for the brutal, explosive attacks of a pike. And then there are those who can’t get enough of the beauty and unpredictable behaviour of the ever-changing perch. Depending on your preference, we tailor the fishing trip and approach entirely to suit you.
Zander and perch fishing in Amsterdam
(4-, 6- or 8-hour fishing trip, up to 3 guests)
Zander and perch fishing in Amsterdam is dynamic, technical and often action-packed. Depending on the conditions, we fish actively and with focus using techniques such as casting, dropshotting, vertical jigging, trolling and various finesse methods. You tell me how you want to fish — I’ll make sure the fishing trip fits your wishes perfectly.
Want to make the most of the most productive hours? Then an intensive 4-hour fishing trip in the morning or evening is an excellent choice. If you have more time, the 6- and 8-hour trips allow us to visit multiple spots, use different techniques and simply catch more fish.
Below you can read more about the fish species we target during this fishing trip, and the techniques we commonly use to catch them.
Zander: the cold-blooded sniper
With eyes that are extremely sensitive to light, zander hunt in the deep, dark waters of the IJ and the murky canals of the old city centre. This stealthy predator approaches its prey silently and patiently waits for the perfect moment to strike. It bites like a viper and hits like a sniper. It’s not just this hunting behaviour that makes the zander one of Amsterdam’s most sought-after predator fish; the numbers and average size play a major role as well. A 40 cm zander already offers an exciting fight, at 60 cm it gets serious, and an 80 cm fish is truly a fish of a lifetime — and certainly not unthinkable during a fishing day in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam is not known as “Zanderdam” for nothing — it is the city to catch large numbers of big zander!
Traditionally, vertical jigging with short, fast rods is a very effective way to target zander, as is dropshotting. Both techniques are fished using softbaits of 6 to 12 cm. In addition, casting with both soft- and hardbaits is an excellent and active approach. This ranges from small softbaits on light jig heads to chatterbaits and twitchbaits. This style of fishing is more dynamic, the strikes are often harder, and in my opinion every fish caught feels extra rewarding. By arrangement, we can also troll for zander in the city centre, using deep-diving, slender hardbaits and rattling lures. While trolling, there is a good chance that large perch and pike will also strike.
Perch: the tough street fighter
Perch are abundant in the waters of Amsterdam and add a silver lining to every fishing day. Their beautiful appearance can be misleading, however, as they are true street fighters. Casting with softbaits, hardbaits and spin jigs, as well as trolling with crankbaits, often produces excellent results. Perch measuring 20 to 30 cm are great fun to catch, a 40 cm fish can rightly be called a trophy, and with a 50 cm perch you can consider yourself the winner of the day.
You can catch these beautiful perch both in Amsterdam itself and in the large waters surrounding the city.
If you want to specifically target big perch (often referred to as PerchZilla), I recommend booking your fishing trip on the large lakes around Amsterdam between January and the end of March. During this period, the large, spawn-ready females gather on specific drop-offs, where they wait for spring. This makes them much easier to target effectively. Finesse fishing with the Carolina rig and Ned rig, combined with casting bladed jigs, is often the most effective approach. I’ll be happy to show you how it works and help you land that dream catch.
Pike fishing (and perch) on large waters (including the Randmeren)
(8-hour trip only, maximum of 2 guests)
To target large pike, we head to one of the vast lakes about a 20-minute drive from Amsterdam. You can ride along with me to the marina, and within an hour you’ll be fishing on one of the best pike waters in Europe. With a surface area of over 6,000 hectares and an endless variety of drop-offs, plateaus, deep holes, mussel beds and extensive weed fields, this water is a true paradise for pike and perch.
Please note: to ensure safety and comfort on board, I can take a maximum of 2 guests. With more than two people on board, the risk of accidents simply becomes too high. Large lures, razor-sharp hooks and powerful pike together require space and clear oversight.
A bit more about pike fishing on the Randmeren, as these waters are known. Casting with hard- and softbaits for pike is effective here throughout the year, just like trolling with (very) large swimbaits and other big pike lures. In summer, fishing over the weed beds with frogs and other shallow-running lures is fantastic. As autumn turns into winter, the pike follow the baitfish into deeper water and grow heavier by the day…
But who is that grumpy, fat lady?
Pike: the ruthless bully
The pike is without doubt one of the most iconic predator fish in our waters. This solitary hunter combines brute strength with explosive speed and a surprisingly cunning hunting style. Where other predators often strike subtly, a pike attacks with violence: its strikes are fierce, brief and merciless. A bite rarely feels like a tap — it’s more like a collision.
If you want to catch truly massive pike, book a fishing day between December and the end of March.
What makes the pike extra special is its unpredictability. One moment it lies motionless, hidden among aquatic plants or along a drop-off; the next moment it shoots out of cover like a rocket to grab its prey. It is precisely this combination of patience and aggression that makes every strike exciting, even for experienced anglers.
In addition, the pike is a fish of size and character. Large specimens are not easily caught and demand insight, timing and confidence in your technique. Especially when fishing with lighter tackle, a big pike can provide a memorable fight you won’t soon forget. It is precisely this raw, direct style of fishing that makes many anglers completely addicted to this type of fishing.
Who are these fishing trips suitable for?
These fishing trips are suitable for everyone. Whether you have never held a rod before, fish occasionally, or are an experienced (competition) angler looking to fine-tune your technique — you are welcome on board. I tailor every fishing trip to the level, experience and wishes of my guests, so everyone feels at ease and we get the most out of our time on the water together.
Why fish with guide Juul Steyn?
Since 2011, I have been working as a fishing guide in and around Amsterdam and am on the water almost every day. This experience allows me to respond quickly to changing conditions and fish in a focused way, rather than relying on chance. I work with high-quality equipment, take the time for explanation and guidance, and believe that a successful fishing trip is about more than just catches: insight, technique and enjoyment come first.
Sharing my passion and knowledge has always been central to my work. This was true during my time as an editor for Beet and Hét Visblad and while writing Thinking Like a Fish, and it remains just as important when I welcome you on board as my guest.