Choosing the right fishing lure for panfish is of utmost importance in ensuring a successful angling experience. With a wide variety of species out there, each with their own unique feeding habits and preferences, it is crucial to understand which lures are the most effective in luring these fish.
In this article, we will explore different types of lures that work best for crappies. Whether you are targeting bluegill or crappie this article will serve as your guide into choosing the best lures to maximize your success in landing your next trophy fish!
Types of Lures for Panfish
To choose the best fishing lures for panfish, it’s important to understand their behavior and preferences. Different species like bluegill, crappie, and sunfish have specific feeding patterns and habitats. Bluegill prefer shallower water and structures like logs or vegetation, while crappie are found in deeper water near brush piles.
Topwater lures like poppers and surface plugs mimic insects and small prey, making them great for shallow-water panfish. In deeper water, jigs and soft plastics imitate natural prey. They can be rigged with different weights and presentations for effective results.
Bright colors like chartreuse, orange, or pink increase visibility in murky water. Experimenting with different lure styles and techniques is key to finding what works best for each species. Take the time to study and observe panfish species to choose the right lures for your next fishing adventure.
Spring fishing bait and lure
- Natural baits – For spring fishing, anglers have different preferences between bait and lures. Live minnows are highly effective, especially when concentrated in an area. Worms are also a good option for spring fishing. Sunfish, like bluegills, are particularly fond of live crickets and worms. Crappies primarily feed on minnows, so targeting areas with brushpiles can attract them. Bluegills and other sunfish species prefer crickets and smaller pieces of nightcrawler.
- Jigs and jig spinner combo – For post-spawn perch and crappies, the top choice is a small jig. Pick a micro or 1/32 to 1/16 ounce model. Use a light, flexible rod and a small reel with 2-6 pound line for effective casting. Choose from various jig options with soft bodies, hair, or other materials. Experiment with colors like white, yellow, silver, or gray with embedded flakes for added attraction.
Avoid bulky or long bodies and tails. When a plain jig isn’t working, try a small jig with a spinner blade. Fish spinners faster and plain jigs slower. Fishing around brush, timber, and weeds requires a delicate touch.
Winter fishing bait and lure
- Northland Tackle’s Tungsten Punch™ Fly – The Tungsten Punch™ Fly is a modified version of the Tungsten Punch™ Jig. It resembles a buggy insect while offering similar benefits. Its increased weight-to-size ratio allows for a faster descent than traditional tungsten jigs, enticing panfish to strike more readily. Species that prefer invertebrates and suspended zooplankton are particularly drawn to this lure.
- Bro Bling Jig – The Bro Bling Jig is an exceptional bait for panfish. With its wide-bodied design and flat bottom, it descends rapidly and moves smoothly forward. The lure’s sticky-sharp hook and variety of colors are designed to attract even the most selective fish. What sets the Bro Bling Jig apart is its flicker blade, which entices fish without needing a swivel. The waxy or minnow scent draws fish in, leading to successful hookups. Its unique shape allows for quick fish reach and its forward-moving action enhances its effectiveness.
- Forage Minnow® Jig – The renowned Forage Minnow® Jig is a top pick for catching jumbo crappies and bluegills. This lure showcases captivating flashes and fluttering motions that entice these panfish species. Anglers can enhance its effectiveness by using a minnow head or live bait to mimic real minnow action, attracting aggressive fish.
Different lures for all seasons
- Jigs – The jighead is a versatile and effective panfish lure. Pair it with soft plastic bodies like shad or minnow shapes, double-tail grubs, curly tail grubs, or paddle tail grub. Use 1/32-ounce jigs for crappie or bluegill in shallow water (up to 6 feet). For deeper water, switch to 1/16-ounce jigs. In windy conditions, opt for 1/8-ounce jigs to prevent line bowing and maintain optimal line tension.
- Horsehead Spinner – The Roadrunner jig is a trusted and effective lure for panfish. Its horsehead shape and marabou or soft plastic body make it stand out. The 1/8-ounce lure is ideal for white bass in swift currents. While the 1/16-ounce is effective for crappie in shallow areas.
- Crankbaits – Action lures effectively imitate different prey, such as crawfish, minnows, shad, and insects. They can be used for trolling in deep waters or casting in shallow areas like weeds, logs, or boat docks. Longer-billed crankbaits are best for trolling, while short-billed ones are more suitable for shallower water. These lures are designed to perform well in various fishing situations.
- Swimbaits – For lifelike bait, try a small swimbait. Pair it with a jig head for solo fishing or use a mini umbrella rig with multiple swimbaits to replicate a baitfish school. Retrieve with a steady motion or occasional rod twitches to attract strikes and increase your catch rate.
- Jerkbaits – For white bass and crappie, use a jerkbait like the Rapala Minnow near windy banks. Twitch it with quick, erratic movements to attract strikes. In winter, pause and twitch the rod when crappie are over deep brush. 3 to 4-inch suspending jerkbaits work well for many fish. Use 5-inch jerkbaits for bigger catches.
- Inline Spinners – Spinning blades create flash and vibration, ideal for clear water and fishing suspended fish in murky areas. Perfect for long-distance casting without alarming fish. Reel in with a steady, moderate to fast speed to make the blade spin vigorously and increase its allure.
- Spoons – Use heavier slab spoons for vertical jigging. A 1/8-ounce slab spoon can attract white bass near the water’s surface. Small flutter and jigging spoons are great for engaging crappie and bluegill along weed edges.
Best Panfish Lures for Different Water Conditions:
When it comes to choosing the right lure for panfish fishing, it’s important to consider the water conditions and environments you’ll be fishing in. Different lures are designed to excel in specific conditions, so let’s explore the options for shallow water, deep water, clear water, and murky water.
Shallow water
The bro bling jig is a popular lure for panfish, designed to imitate the movement of small fish. Its flashy design and enticing action are attractive to panfish species. Soft plastic baits, like worms or fish imitations, are another effective option. Rigged on a small hook, these lures can be retrieved slowly to entice panfish in shallow areas.
Deep water
For fishing in deep water, versatile jigs are ideal. Enhance their appeal with small soft plastics or live bait. Additionally, vibrant spoons and spinners are effective for catching panfish in deeper water.
Clear water
Consider water visibility when fishing for panfish. In clear water, use natural-colored lures with realistic movements. Fly fishing is great for precise presentations and imitating insect movements. Tie small flies to mimic aquatic insects or small baitfish. Small crankbaits or inline spinners in natural colors resemble panfish prey for better results.
Stained water
In murky or stained water, use lures that create vibrations to attract panfish. Brightly colored lures with high contrast patterns help catch their attention. Spinnerbaits with rotating blades are effective in murky water due to the vibration and flash. Soft plastic baits in vibrant hues like chartreuse or orange also stand out well in stained water.
To effectively target panfish, it’s crucial to consider the water conditions and environments where you’ll be fishing. This thoughtful approach will enable you to select the most suitable lures. By experimenting with various lures and techniques, you can uncover the winning formula for each specific situation.
Tips and Techniques for Fishing Panfish with Lures
- Retrieval technique. Experiment with different techniques to imitate injured prey or trigger the predatory instinct of panfish. Try slow and steady retrieves or quick and erratic retrieves. Vary speeds, pauses, and jerks to optimize your approach in different situations.
- Color selection. Choose the right lure color to boost your success. Consider water and weather conditions. Opt for natural colors in clear water and brighter hues in murky conditions to catch panfish’s attention. Adapt to your surroundings for improved visibility and lure effectiveness.
- Seasonal changes. Panfish adjust their feeding and habitat as seasons change. In spring, they move to shallow waters to spawn and are more responsive to lures. In summer, they prefer deeper, cooler waters, so use deeper presentations. In fall, they return to shallower areas. Adapt your lure fishing techniques according to these seasonal shifts for improved results.
Lures to use for different panfish species
Bluegill
For catching sunfish, a variety of bait and lures can be used. Live baits like crickets, grasshoppers, earthworms, grubs, and waxworms are highly effective. Thread them onto a #8 or #10 hook and fish them near structures in the water.
To catch larger sunfish, small spinners, flies, poppers, and jigs are great choices. These lures offer versatility and attract bigger sunfish. When using jigs or live bait, slowly fish them under a bobber near weed beds or under overhanging limbs.
Sunfish are active during different times of the day, but with the right bait and approach. Try different techniques to discover what works for you.
Black Crappie
For successful crappie fishing, stick to shallower waters (3-6 feet) and employ small jigs or minnows beneath a compact bobber. Additional options include worms, spinners, flies, and small topwater lures. Opt for a #6 hooks when using live bait. To entice bites, fish slowly and maintain a taut line to prevent escapes, as crappies have delicate mouths. During summer, crappies may venture to deeper waters but surface during dawn, dusk, or night to feed. Make the most of these feeding periods for prime fishing chances.
Yellow Perch
For catching yellow perch, you can use: small minnows, worms on a #6 hooks, spoons, jigs, spinners, and flies. To maximize perch fishing, keep your bait near the lake bottom. Try bobber rigs, two-hook bottom rigs, or vertical jigging. For jigging, use lures like Castmasters and Swedish pimples with waxworms. Act swiftly when the perch starts biting to take advantage of the feeding frenzy. If you’re consistently catching small perch, consider moving to a new area or fishing in deeper waters.
Brown Bullhead
To catch bullheads, use doughballs, nightcrawlers, or chicken livers as bait. Use a #4 or #6 hooks and fish near the bottom. Prime fishing times for bullheads are in the evening or at night. There are three main bottom fishing techniques to try.
The first technique involves fishing in shallow water or close to shore. In this case, you can simply attach a couple of splitshot weights to your line to help sink your bait.
Another setup is to try a sinker at the end of the line, positioning the hook 8 to 12 inches above. This setup presents the bait at a slightly elevated level for better attraction.
The third technique is known as the slip sinker method, which is shown on the front cover. It involves utilizing a slip sinker, which freely slides up and down the line. This setup provides flexibility and allows the bullhead to bite without much resistance.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right fishing lure is crucial for targeting panfish. They have unique preferences and behaviors, so using the right lure can greatly impact your success. Whether it’s live bait or artificial lures, choose ones that resemble their preferred food sources. Panfish lure fishing is versatile, offering a variety of techniques and presentations. From casting to fly fishing, there are exciting options to explore.
Have any other questions about fishing lures? Drop them in the comments section below. We’re really eager to hear what you have to say!
Additional Resources:
- 7 Productive bluegill fishing lures: https://fishingsiestakey.com/bluegill-fishing-lures/
- 10 Panfish ice lures: https://www.in-fisherman.com/editorial/top-10-panfish-ice-lures-of-all-time/154518
- Best crappie lures for 2023: https://www.outdoorlife.com/gear/best-crappie-lures/
- The 5 best lures for big bluegills: https://1source.basspro.com/news-tips/panfish/5358/5-best-lures-big-bluegills
5 great lures for bluegills: https://www.gameandfishmag.com/editorial/fishing_crappies-panfish-fishing_5_great_lures_for_bluegillsra0311/244198
