Panfishing is one of those fishing techniques where the right lure can attract the fish to the hook. Use the wrong lure, and you may not catch a thing. Panfish — bluegill, crappie and perch — eat all sorts of things, but can be shy and elusive. It is important that you have the right lure. It has to pique their interest so they want to bite. Lures can resemble food that fish love, so choosing the right one can make the difference between reeling in a panfish and heading home empty-handed.
Jigs: Excellent . They have a weighted head and are hooked so they are easy to swim around the water. You can shake them to make them appear alive! There are several colors and sizes of jigs available, so you can select what the fish are biting on in the vicinity of your fishing spot. The variety teaches you what works and what doesn't.
Crankbaits: These lures are meant to resemble small fish. Pull them through the water, and they wriggle and vibrate, appealing to the tastes of panfish. (Also, crankbaits are available in a variety of sizes and colors. You can pick one that mimics the small fish swimming around that panfish are more likely to bite.
Spinnerbaits: They spin around in the water and create vibrations that attract the fish. Spinnerbaits come in a variety of sizes and colors, and some have a small trailer, such as a worm, attached. These extra touchy-feely tendrils help them attract fish even more. The action when spinning can represent the action of prey and make panfish more curious.
Soft plastic baits: These lures are made of pliable material that mimics worms, insects and the like that fish eat. They can take many forms or be in different sizes. And some even have tiny grubs stuck to them, which makes them even tastier to fish. One reason that soft plastic baits can work well on panfish is that they mimic their natural forage.
Topwater Lures: These lures only do one thing! When they hit the water, they make a splash, which fishes swimming nearby notice. They are most effective in shallow water where panfish tend to congregate. One of the popular types of these is a popper. Jerking the rod causes the popper to spit and make a fun splash that can grab a fish’s attention.
There are a few key considerations when deciding which lure to use: the depth of water you’re fishing in; the clarity of the water; time of day. If it's shallow water, stick to something smaller. You will want to move up a size for deeper water so the fish can see your lure. Natural colours are best in clear water, while bright colours work better in muddy or murky water. This should make it easier for fish to find your lure. The early morning and late afternoon are the most active times for panfish. These are the best times to fish! If you do this during those times, then using lures that mimic their food could have you catching a ton.