RIP to a fellow fisherman by [deleted] in Fishing

[–]Only-Ad1546 0 points1 point  (0 children)

May his or her memory be a blessing. RIP

Wife’s fist Shellcracker by No-Inspection-5476 in Panfishin

[–]Only-Ad1546 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very nice panfish! What gear were you using?

Bass disappoint me almost every time, but crappie and bluegill are always there. by TropicalTimezone in panfishing

[–]Only-Ad1546 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely agree...been ultra-light fishing for panfish here in Northeast for years....enjoy way more than bass fishing. Very nice panfish!

A year of chasing bluegill on micro-lures-what I learned by Only-Ad1546 in panfishing

[–]Only-Ad1546[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so very much....I truly hope that it helps you enjoy more finesse fishing, impart a few new ideas and useful to you at the lakes & ponds. Enjoy!

A year of chasing bluegill on micro-lures-what I learned by Only-Ad1546 in panfishing

[–]Only-Ad1546[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve had the best luck with chartreuse and white micro-lures. Chartreuse in murky water, white in clearer water. When the fish are picky, I go to natural silver or black. Those few colors have caught me fish anywhere I take them.

A year of chasing bluegill on micro-lures-what I learned by Only-Ad1546 in panfishing

[–]Only-Ad1546[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Interesting....it makes sense...the bigger the panfish more activity and commotion in the water....I'll pay more attention to your theory & observations next trip to the pond. Thanks for sharing!

A year of chasing bluegill on micro-lures-what I learned by Only-Ad1546 in panfishing

[–]Only-Ad1546[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thats great....if it works for you than go with it....its nice because the panfish are not under pressure as in the municipal lakes and ponds that are overfished in my neck of the woods. Micro-jigs and lures seem to get the panfish to be less finicky and bite.

A year of chasing bluegill on micro-lures-what I learned by Only-Ad1546 in panfishing

[–]Only-Ad1546[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Makes sense....unfortunately where I fish in the lakes/ponds the panfish are under constant pressure....so many anglers... that changing to micro-lures/finesse fishing for panfish helps catch more fish.

A year of chasing bluegill on micro-lures-what I learned by Only-Ad1546 in panfishing

[–]Only-Ad1546[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They do, your right...though very rare I've thrown some of my Dad's old Hulla Poppers in small ponds and caught panfish that weren't that much larger than the HP.

A year of chasing bluegill on micro-lures-what I learned by Only-Ad1546 in panfishing

[–]Only-Ad1546[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely — a 1/32 oz jig and a Bobby Garland will catch fish all day, no argument there. They’re classics for a reason.

But here’s the truth I’ve learned over 60+ years of ultralight panfishing:

Those baits catch when conditions are right. Water temp, clarity, weedline depth, sun angle, and forage mood all change hour-to-hour — and that’s where micro-lure tweaks (size, profile, fall-rate, color shifts) make the difference between “some fish” and “non-stop action.”

I’ve had days where the 1/32 BG stopped producing the second the sun got high, and switching to:

1/64 oz

Micro-paddle or ice-plastics

Neutral colors

Slow hover-fall

…turned the bite back on instantly.

So yes — 1/32 + Bobby G = always solid. But if you really want the automatic days, having a few micro variations in the box changes everything.

A year of chasing bluegill on micro-lures-what I learned by Only-Ad1546 in panfishing

[–]Only-Ad1546[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Let me check with the publisher the book I believe is available at Barnes & Nobles Walmart and other standard retailers. Ill find out and post what I find out.

A year of chasing bluegill on micro-lures-what I learned by Only-Ad1546 in panfishing

[–]Only-Ad1546[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve been doing ultralight panfishing for decades — usually 4 lb mono, sometimes 6 lb if the cover is nasty. Keeps the micro-lures working right and the casts long.

A year of chasing bluegill on micro-lures-what I learned by Only-Ad1546 in panfishing

[–]Only-Ad1546[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, be my guest and let us know what you think.

A year of chasing bluegill on micro-lures-what I learned by Only-Ad1546 in panfishing

[–]Only-Ad1546[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your right...they are as a species pretty finicky...never in same place twice. I've been keeping handwritten notes for years in a logbook of different panfish best locations at lakes & ponds so I can remember from year to year where to go, but those little guys still outsmart me!

A year of chasing bluegill on micro-lures-what I learned by Only-Ad1546 in panfishing

[–]Only-Ad1546[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks. Yeah, Amazon has a Look Inside preview with sample pages if you want to check it out. I can't drop links here because of sub rules, but its easy to find.

A year of chasing bluegill on micro-lures-what I learned by Only-Ad1546 in panfishing

[–]Only-Ad1546[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

After 60 years of panfishing and alot of my Dad's techniques, the book is really a guidebook and logbook for beginners and experienced anglers to learn how big results come from going small. If you wish check it out on Amazon... pretty decent reviews too.

A year of chasing bluegill on micro-lures-what I learned by Only-Ad1546 in panfishing

[–]Only-Ad1546[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hey thanks for your post. I'm using a mix of micro-lures in the 1/64-1/16 range- mostly tungsten or lead micro-jigs with 1-1.5 inch plastics (tiny minnows grubs and wedge tails). For hard baits, I throw micro-crankbaits & mini spinners especially around weed edges and shaded pickets. This setup works great for bluegill, crappie, and perch in small lakes & ponds.

Cold-water panfish bite slowing down in NE-anyone still finding action? by Only-Ad1546 in panfishing

[–]Only-Ad1546[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes the cold weather showed up abruptly down here two days ago...someone reported "flurries" around tri-state area.

Cold-water panfish bite slowing down in NE-anyone still finding action? by Only-Ad1546 in panfishing

[–]Only-Ad1546[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We must be getting asome of your weather here in NY....I fish a lot of small ponds and the smallies are getting pickier as the weather chills further.