getting back into pan fishing

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Comment by BRIAN S. BEHE, SR. on January 29, 2013 at 6:02am

if you lived near me, laplata , md , we could go often,,,,if yo u live in nc area, suggest you check with jeff abney,,,,he is an excellent source for info,,,,also, most of the members will be more than happy to assist you

Comment by Joe Angelucci on January 28, 2013 at 8:03pm

Glad to hear your Dad's better. I saw in your status update that you use a thrill float and a #8 hook with a worm. Truth is that rig is pretty successful for most fishing. I fish about the same type rig with a 9 foot Mr Crappie pole, #10 Aberdeen hook  with 2 # test. Difference is that I use a Trout Magnet EZ float for a bite indicator.This rig is useful for bank fishing. I use this from early spring to about the start of winter in the North East. My secret weapon for bait is a simple hot dog. 

This site has many experienced anglers and all can help. Just need you to provide an idea of the type of fishing ( boat or bank) and type of equipment ( pole , rod and reel , fly). Based on your style, people will be able to help with recommendations.

Comment by dick tabbert on January 28, 2013 at 5:16pm

Well Cody there is lots depending on when and were your going to fish. Before we attempt and answer I want to say glad your Dad is better I know what cancer can do to you physically and mentally and my thoughts and prayers are with him for continued improvement. Cody are you fishing a boat or from shore. First I guess since you have grass shrimp your in the southern states. Using live bait and know there are more knowledgeable people at BBG on the subject than I. I use jigs but at home the grand kids use live bait. I'll set up a pole for them. first thing I tie on is a small or medium slip float with a small split shot enough to stand up the float. Then we tie the hook on #6 or an #8. Now that the pole is ready we have to find a place to fish. When I jig fish I always find weeds of some sort and lily pads in 8 to 10 ft of water being the best for me. Adjust float accordingly just above the weeds. Bait up with your live bait cast out and wait. If the bite doesn't come reel in slowly they may want a slow moving presentation and the cooler the water the slower the retrieve.  Now when the gills get on the beds never cast in the center and spook them. Cast way to the edge and always cast past the beds and slowly reel your bait to them. As you take out the fish on the ends cast past the next bedding gills and proceed slowly as you did before. Once you spook the fish there is a good chance your done on that bed. Cody hope this helps you I know you will get more people to comment most people here try to help out as much as possible.

Comment by Dwayne Denison on January 28, 2013 at 4:04pm

Bobbers( floats) and hook have caught a lot of fish. Maybe float and hooks are to big. Lots of info on here about bobber fishing. Also, glad to hear your Dad is better and welcome back to panfishing. Might help to post pic of your setup,

Comment by Cody on January 28, 2013 at 2:26pm

i usually fish on lake winnabago or smaller lakes

Comment by Mike Chell on January 28, 2013 at 1:26pm

Loaded question, Cody.  Glad to hear your Dad's better.

Where are you located?  I don't fish live bait often.  I usually use a seine and collect a bucket full of minnows and grass shrimp when I do want live bait.  I believe the local minnows are what the fish see and I usually catch enough keepers to convince myself of that.

I fly fish more often, and spring time fishing is always the easiest with fish hungry after lean winter pickings and hungrier getting ready for spawning.