Northwest Reel Life August 2024 Volume 3 Issue 10 - Flipbook - Page 19
hanging out in shallow
waters, around vegetation,
and structures submerged
in water. Bluegill are prolific
breeders and often travel in
schools, during their spawn,
they will have a minefield of
beds in the shallows as they
become very aggressive in
protecting their eggs. It's
very fun targeting these,
especially practicing catch
and release. For many of
us, the Bluegill was the first
fish caught as a kid that
sparked the interest.
Essential Equipment:
Rod and Reel: For panfish, a
light or ultra-light spinning
rod and reel combo works
best. This setup allows
for casting bobbers and
small baits accurately and
provides the sensitivity
needed to detect subtle
bites.
Fishing Line: Use light
line, monofilament, or
fluorocarbon. Typically in
the 4-8lb range, as lighter
lines allow for a better
presentation of small baits
and lures while maintaining
enough strength to handle
larger fish, I often choose
monofilament in the 4-6lb
test to allow a little stretch
with my hook set, especially
fishing crappie with
their paper-thin mouths.
(Hence the name “Lanternmouths.”)
Terminal Tackle: Small
hooks such as a number
of 6-10 for bluegill, and
slightly larger for crappie
4-8, tipped with worms
is the most simple way to
approach these fish. Split
shot weights and bobbers
are another effective way to
locate fish and to find the
depth to adjust your bait
too, keeping it in the strike
zone.
Baits and Lures: Though
we can't use live bait, the
most effective bait for both
bluegill and crappie is a
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