PANFISH, Still Eating During Winter

When we say Panfish, we mean Bluegills, Crappie or Perch and to most anglers Panfish make them think of summer days and kids on a dock watching a bobber.
Now that cool-weather has arrived, Panfish are forced to change their habits and diet since much of the larvae and aquatic insects are all but gone. In fact, even those small baitfish minnows have now grown to be not as edible.
Any remaining critters such as grubs, larvae and worms will be in weeds or even burrowed in the soft bottom.
As you can imagine, the fish will be found in these areas where these critters and organisms will come out during cloudy days or low light conditions.
Therefore, knowing that shallow weeds die off or die down during winter, you need to fish near or on the bottom.
Any other remaining miniscule organisms such as zoo plankton may move up from the bottom during low light but are not much for these fish to feed on.
It may be best if you can get out in the lake over remaining weeds or along weed edges and kind of tightline by vertical fishing wax worms, maggots or small minnows just off or very near the bottom. We have found in deeper lakes a small jigging spoon can be productive by using a short jigging presentation.
If you are going to fish on the bottom, a stand up style jig works best to keep your bait at an angle just off the bottom. Another good presentation is to lower a heavy jig to the bottom, then lift it just off bottom, a few short jigging motions, allow it to settle back down and now try a quicker rise till you find what triggers a bite.
Once colder winter weather sets in and SAFE ice forms, fish over those same spots where you know there are weeds.
Panfishing is popular among many anglers and is even the second most popular fish for adult anglers. This is rightfully so, since most of us honed our fishing skills with them, it is Fun, and they are Good to eat.
So Do Not stop panfishing because cooler weather is here and as an example on New Years Day this year Bob Largent of the Brass Bell Cottages on Bull Shoals Lake caught a 16 inch crappie.
PRODUCTS: Some of our most favorite panfish lures are the Hand-tied Calftail hair jigs from Jimbo’s Jigs right here in southern Illinois. Check their site for your supply at www.jimbosjigs.com
The others are the New Charlie Bee spinners and Crappie grubs from Charlie Brewer’s Slider Company. You can see their selection at www.sliderfishing.com
And as a reminder, watch for our New 2005 Fishing Calendar to be available later this month with all the Good Fishing Times, New Tips and the many money saving coupons including the popular Gander Mountain coupon again this year.

Check our Fishing Tips and Lake Reports at : www.larrysfishinghole.com

Till Next Time GOD BLESS & GOOD FISHING