Mark, Every stretch of the Kennet holds at least one 3lb+. As far as summer tactics....live baits will always work best even on the most clear high pressured days. In a slack area, a great presentation is paternoster using 2oz and one of those chunky middy pellet wagglers, just perfect for bleak or gudgeon up to 2 or 3 oz. In the summer this can be hair raising stuff as they really do smash and grab. A fast tapered 1.25 tc rod and 5, 6 or 7 lb line to a flouro hooklength should do well.
If you're not so sure of the pike population where you will be fishing, then of course, a wire trace needs to be used, do have a look at some of the lower diam multi strands. I have just been playing with some amazing trace material that got sent to me from the states ' Knot2kinky' it's called, basically a nickel coated titanium that pretty much behaves like rubber. I have been tying swivels and hooks straight on but when untied you wouldnt know it had been touched, remarkable stuff.
The most important thing though, is to not lose heart, stick it out in a perchy looking swim, perch can watch a tasty lob all day but not bite until the light fades considerably
