Few questions/help on a rod/reel setup plus lures.

So Im looking to get into this whole panfish section of fishing now. Im a bass fisher but when they turn off, perch start for me.

Questions are:

1. What sized rod should I use? 6'?
2. Ultralite or lite?
3. What kind of lures? I have some beetle spins and some crappie magnets already. They were using 1/16oz hair jigs with a bobber today and catching them. Any suggestions on jigs/lures?
4. What about line size? I have a small spinning reel Id use already load with Trilene 6#, too heavy?

Thanks!

Anything else, Id appreciate it.

If you want to make it fun a UL. I have both UL and lite and fish with both all the time. I like a long rod, seems I get a longer cast, most of mine are 6'6". I also like 4 lb. line and plan to try 2 lb line as soon as I find some locally. Beetle spins, crappie magnets are good baits. Jig heads with Bobby Garland bodies work great and Cream Lures curly tails are one of my favorites. Hope I have been a little help. I know there are many better fishermen on here than me and hopefully they will chime in.

You will get a million answers on this but here is mine. An UL rod and some Trout Magnets and 2# test line.....or lighter. Rod length is personal preference but I prefer around 6’ 5” -7’.


Regards


Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com

Thanks guys.

Could I just use straight mono? I use braid/mono leaders on my bass rods, but Id prefer to keep this setup simple. I dont really see the need for braid on these rigs, other than longer cast-ability as its thinner.

Agree with Alphahawk on tackle. No need to ever go above 4# line, IMO, and you're much better off with lighter.

Almost any small jig works, but the trout and crappie magnets are excellent. Crappie sliders are good as are the Bobby Garland baby shads.

I use plain ol' mono.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Also, I wouldn't use a bobber with a jig. Just not necessary, IMO.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

copolymer 2lb. test and 6.5' to 7.5' rods. Size 10/1000 reels. UL jigs - spinners & spoons.

5' rods with 05/500 reels and 1lb test is lots of fun....

Don't forget your nibbles . Green or white ones are what I like to use.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Thanks guys. Why no bobber with jigs? Seems to work real well here in MD. This is for the cold weather fishing... Im new so Im opened to ideas/theories.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fisherman9417

Why no bobber with jigs? Seems to work real well here in MD. This is for the cold weather fishing... Im new so Im opened to ideas/theories.

---

In cold weather, methods like the float n fly can work well. In cold weather, fish are lethargic, and the subtle action of a jig under a float will often trigger them to bite. That's the only situation I would ever consider using a float with a jig.

I love float fishing and can talk floats for days. I just prefer them for stationary baits, not moving baits like jigs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by deathb4disco

In cold weather, methods like the float n fly can work well. In cold weather, fish are lethargic, and the subtle action of a jig under a float will often trigger them to bite. That's the only situation I would ever consider using a float with a jig.

I love float fishing and can talk floats for days. I just prefer them for stationary baits, not moving baits like jigs.

---

Thats why we were using them, as you said. Now what we're using are hair jigs under a float/bobber and just bouncing it a bit wait, reel in some and repeat.

1. 6' light action rod
2. 1/64-1/16 oz ball head jigs - unpainted; 3 hook sizes in each for different grub lengths: #4, 6, and 8
3. straight tail grubs like the Crappie Magnet and Trout Magnet. In fact, you can cut 2" off some of your thin body finesse worms and rig them on the jigs mentioned. There are a thousand designs that work having straight tail such as the Crappie Kicker that tease fish into striking when retrieved at the slowest speed possible.
4. 10 lb test braid (must be soft) and a 4-6 lb test fluorocarbon leader
5. a float can be used with the above certain times of the year along with hair or feather body jigs.

I have always used a 6 or 6.5ft rod for crappie, but guy I fished with some has an 8ft ACC crappie styx rod that I tried. I will be ordering one as soon as they have some in stock.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by deathb4disco

Agree with Alphahawk on tackle. No need to ever go above 4# line, IMO, and you're much better off with lighter.

Almost any small jig works, but the trout and crappie magnets are excellent. Crappie sliders are good as are the Bobby Garland baby shads.

I use plain ol' mono.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

I caught some big blue gill this fall on the black crappie magnet Popeyes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fisherman9417

Thats why we were using them, as you said. Now what we're using are hair jigs under a float/bobber and just bouncing it a bit wait, reel in some and repeat.

---

I use the same method here in KY.

[QUOTE=Alphahawk;3531768]You will get a million answers on this but here is mine. An UL rod and some Trout Magnets and 2# test line.....or lighter. Rod length is personal preference but I prefer around 6’ 5” -7’.


x2

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fisherman9417

Thanks guys. Why no bobber with jigs? Seems to work real well here in MD. This is for the cold weather fishing... Im new so Im opened to ideas/theories.

---

If you use a float, then you might as well use live bait with it.I do both, I cast and retrieve lures while waiting for my float to go down, but this only works on slow days Lol.

Just keep it wet!!! They don't bite when you don't fish!!!

I prefer UL rods 6-7 ft. Most UL rods I have found have Fast action and so do the Light action rods. Fast action light rods are too stiff for me. This is one item you really want to put in your hands before purchasing. The cheapest rod I have found that is UL is an Eagle Claw. As a matter of fact it is one rod I didn't hesitate buying without touching first, I only paid 20.00. The action is fun to use. I am no rod expert but the components are not the best. (as Richard Gene would say "in my opinion". I use straight mono 2 and 4lb. I ty my own jigs. I also at one time was a bass fisherman, but; would not go back. One thing I recommend to everyone is watch Richard Gene the fishing machine on utube. Don't be fooled, he is not really mentally ill. The best fisherman I have seen. Pop

I can go on for a while about the good and bad of about everything involved in this, but I'll just try to save you some money. The Shakespeare micro series rods come from 4'6" to 7'6" and will break the bank at $17. I have 5 of these in different lengths and like them every one. I use a 500 series UL reel, the mitchell Avocet is about $20 on ebay. Many others do just fine also. I have a mix of 4lb and 2lb line on these and like the 2lb a lot. I can go to a smaller jig with it and still fight a bigger fish than you might think. Hi vis line is a must or you just might not be able to see it. Hope this helps.

I use only mono lines (Stren original), usually no larger than 4 but do use 6 on occasions . Like bass fishing you will compile a a lot of tackle of which some will work some won't . I am fond of "slider" one inch grubs fished on 1/32 oz. road runner heads .I go lighter under a float . 1/100-1/60 in all kind of jigs and flies . Flies are not just for fly rods . Although you will catch mostly pan fish I am an ultralight fisherman as opposed to say a bream guy .favorite rods are 6'-7 ft . both light and ultra lights .

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pop

One thing I recommend to everyone is watch Richard Gene the fishing machine on utube.... The best fisherman I have seen.

---

I really don't understand his appeal. I find his videos difficult to watch and have never been able to get through one. Two or three minutes of RG is about my limit.

Oh, well ... different strokes for different folks. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by deathb4disco

I really don't understand his appeal. I find his videos difficult to watch and have never been able to get through one. Two or three minutes of RG is about my limit.

Oh, well ... different strokes for different folks. :)

---

I watch his videos when I think he is going to be UL fishing.....although I am pretty sure the 1# test line he is fishing with from time to time is not really 1# test. Real 1# test mono is not cheap....and not likely to be found at a flea market. I have no doubt it is labeled 1# test and I guess I need to email him and ask about the brand...diameter and so on. He is a good fisherman......but there are thousands of good fisherman. IMHO, and many who make and watch fishing videos.....they are a bit long. I saw some great advice from Richard Simms.....a great guide and one who knows a thing or two about videoing. That was to keep them only around 5 or 6 minutes as most will not watch much longer than that. According to statistics it only takes a person about 10 seconds to size up a web page and or video to see if they are going to hang around. I find that to be true for me as well.....have lost count of fishing videos I started and was gone in less than 10 seconds. Lest folks think I’m hating on him I am not....I subscribe to his channel....leave positive comments when I do comment....and I am sure I will continue to watch his crappie....bluegill videos.


Regards


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alphahawk

I saw some great advice from Richard Simms.....a great guide and one who knows a thing or two about videoing. That was to keep them only around 5 or 6 minutes as most will not watch much longer than that. According to statistics it only takes a person about 10 seconds to size up a web page and or video to see if they are going to hang around. I find that to be true for me as well.....have lost count of fishing videos I started and was gone in less than 10 seconds.

---

Good advice. Five or six minutes is about my limit on any Youtube video (fishing or other.)

And I'm not hating on the guy, either. I watch very few fishing shows on TV because there are very few that are worth my time. One that I do regularly watch is In-Fisherman. And what is their weekly format? Three six to seven minute segments on different species/tactics. That makes for a better product, IMO. Less is more. ;)

Well i happen to think the vast majority of videos are simply (watch me catch fish) in scope.
Very little if any how to advice is included in many of them, and those as a rule don't last long with me.
How many fish do we need to watch somebody reel in and measure while trolling?
Richard Gene on the other hand attempts to offer information also.
In fact some of his videos contain nothing else.
He is a very basics type guy, and that is certainly reflected in his boats and the other equiptment he uses, as well as how he fishes.
I think that can either be a turn off, or a turn on, depending on who is watching.
He has what i believe is a new one on catching Red Ears and Blugills which again is very basic.
But as usuall, very basic worked well for him.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by yobuck

Well i happen to think the vast majority of videos are simply (watch me catch fish) in scope.
Very little if any how to advice is included in many of them, and those as a rule don't last long with me.
How many fish do we need to watch somebody reel in and measure while trolling?
Richard Gene on the other hand attempts to offer information also.
In fact some of his videos contain nothing else.
He is a very basics type guy, and that is certainly reflected in his boats and the other equiptment he uses, as well as how he fishes.
I think that can either be a turn off, or a turn on, depending on who is watching.
He has what i believe is a new one on catching Red Ears and Blugills which again is very basic.
But as usuall, very basic worked well for him.

---

I watched that video......enjoyed it. I am just curious what you find new about this "He has what i believe is a new one on catching Red Ears and Blugills".

Regards

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alphahawk

I watched that video......enjoyed it. I am just curious what you find new about this "He has what i believe is a new one on catching Red Ears and Blugills".

Regards

---

Not sure I'm on the right page with what your asking?
But i meant to say i thought the video is a new one from him, as i hadn't seen it before.
Ive not fished exclusively for those fish, but if i do at some point, ill probably at least have some worms along. lol

Oh yeah that’s a recent video. I thought you were talking about his technique.......which is probably one of the oldest techniques I think there is for shell cracker......plus this time of year you are subject to find them stacked up below the dams on the TN River system in southern TN and northern Alabama.


Regards


Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com

I use corks with jigs all the time.

Attachment 285315
My favorite bobber period. Casts great in the wind and super easy to see. One trick I only use the bottom clip. I helps detect soft bites a lot quicker. Plus I use a small split shot a few inches up from your jig. try'em!!!!

Hellbender, I would like to have you along for a trip in my boat when I was targeting the 'Gills. I never use a weighted float, mine are peanut size or smaller. I had a hard time casting a 1/64 and a small float with 4lb and will be using 2lb with a 4lb leader for this next time out. And when a 2lb LMB latches on it just gets that much better. I've tried weighting things down as you spoke of but find them very hard to cast in tight to the cover I fish. Short casts to make a presentation within 6" of a washed out bank and so on. If you ever get this way please holler and we'll go play.

Quote:

---

The Shakespeare micro series rods come from 4'6" to 7'6" and will break the bank at $17. I have 5 of these in different lengths and like them every one.

---

Me Too!

As far as high viz line goes, I use what's rigged in the reel and have a feel for the strike as I retrieve light lures. For me, line watching is optional as is the use of lines heavier than 2 lb test and jigs 1/32 oz or heavier. But I would emphasize is the use of straight tail grubs for the most subtle action at the slowest retrieve when fish aren't chasing lures retrieved at a medium retrieve. Hair and feather would be my next choice but plastics are my bread & butter for any species. Even if you take a curl tail and modify it as shown, I believe you'll get more strikes.
https://i.imgur.com/fi2hqTZ.jpg

Even cone tails like the Crappie Magnet and the one below, are exceptional:

https://i.imgur.com/UY8BLY0.jpg

BTW, you can't target any fish when using small grubs, hair or feather jigs - all species bite them. Using light line on a light action rod allows for the best lure action and the least amount of line bowing which kills strike sensitivity and hook sets.

Have you ever used porcupine quill floats....<><

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

My casting set up is : 6'6" ultra-lite , 4 lb. test Stren original(clear blue florescent ) . 1/32 road runners with 1 inch sliders . I do a little slip cork with pan fish magnets 7 ft. lite , 4 or 6 lb. Stren original . Thill Wabble Bobber . I tend to not use 2 lb. even though I think for pan fish it would be great . I have landed some rather large catfish and bass on ultra light with 4 lb. Stren .