19 Proven Patterns for Panfish
By: Dan Johnson
Some of the biggest bluegills and crappies come when the heat wave hits, producing some great multispecies panfish action. (Photo courtesy of In-Fisherman.com)
While some panfish purists are content to pursue a single species, most anglers are quick to take advantage of situations where several species are available. Such situations exist in waters from coast to coast, allowing anglers who play their cards right to catch a rich diversity of panfish all summer.
Jungle Warfare
Emerging vegetation sets the stage for much of Brian "Bro" Brosdahl's multispecies mayhem. This guide and avid panfish fan says the most fertile underwater fields are expansive beds that offer a variety of plant types. "Big weedbeds with a mix of cover and structure are better than small single-species plots," he says.
"In an ideal world, the scenario starts with hardstem rushes in the shallows and transitions out to coontail and cabbage on the outside. If you have a muddy bottom with scattered rockpiles and a few logs, plus a good drop-off or trough, you're looking at panfish paradise for crappies, perch, bluegills, and rock bass."
READ THE FULL STORY ON IN-FISHERMAN