Northwest Reel Life August 2024 Volume 3 Issue 10 - Flipbook - Page 21
foot or less directly under
your float as you reel
across the tops of their
beds. Being able to adjust
your float to the depth
of the bait to find where
the Bluegill are feeding is
important.
Micro Jigging: Very similar
to jigging for crappie but
with much smaller jigs and
hooks, again casting and
retrieving slowly varying
the speed to find the most
effective presentation,
and jigging vertically with
different cadences until you
find what they want.
Micro Crankbait: Yes,
cranking for Bluegills. We
have found much success
fishing Micro Crank Baits
such as the Z-Cranker from
Eurotackle. Trolling right
outside the weedlines
adjacent from their beds,
and they will smoke them
baits as they are very
aggressive during their
spawn.
Tips For Success:
Location: Use electronics
and maps if possible
to locate submerged
structures, such as weed
beds, drop-offs, brush piles,
and sunken trees, where
Crappies and Bluegills
gather.
Time Of Day: Early morning
and late evening are prime
times for Panfish, as they
are active and feed in those
low light conditions. We
do find them of course
throughout the day, but
tend to have the hottest
bites early and later.
Patience And Observation:
Panfish can be finicky. Be
patient and pay attention
to subtle bites or changes
in bait behavior. They may
want a micro Tungsten jig
one morning, and the next
they want a larger jigging
spoon. Feeding habits can
change by the hour too, so
don't be afraid to even try
beaded head flies.
Catch And Release:
Practice selective harvest
and release larger breeding
fish to sustain a healthy
population. I always release
any Bluegill over 9in, and
release the majority of
Crappie over 12in. Very
rarely do I keep fish, but
every now and then they
are a good fish fry. (Please
check regulations on your
lake’s fishing)
Fishing for Crappies and
Bluegill is not just about
catching fish; it's about
enjoying the outdoors and
honing your skills, whether
you prefer the challenge of
targeting Crappies with jigs
or the simplicity of bobber
fishing for Bluegill, there's a
technique that suits every
anglers style. With the right
equipment, techniques,
and a bit of patience,
you'll be well on your way
to filling your cooler with
these delectable freshwater
treasures.
By mastering the
techniques and setups,
you'll enhance your Pan
Fishing experience and
increase your chances
of success on your next
fishing adventure. “I hope
to see you out on the
water!” - Eric Magnuson.
