Several Wired2fish staffers share a strong passion for catching a wide variety of panfish species such as crappies and bluegills. Ryan DeChaine grew up fishing panfish, and that passion continues today. He provides a detailed breakdown of his favorite tackle, techniques, and rod setups for catching panfish throughout the season and in wide-ranging situations.
DeChaine leads with a discussion about rod, reel, and line selection, emphasizing assembling a few basic setups that deliver enhanced sensitivity and the best possible bait action.
DeChaine's Top 6 Panfish Setups
00:34 - Rod, reel, and line for panfish.
• PANFISH SPINNING RODS- Buy at FishUSA (bit.ly/3QWhQF9), Buy at Bass Pro Shops (bit.ly/467ykPp)
• PANFISH SPINNING REELS - Buy at FishUSA (bit.ly/47VWZYD), Buy at Bass Pro Shops (bit.ly/467yDtx)
02:05 - Jigs with plastic, hair, or live bait. A jig with a plastic or live bait pairing is the most versatile lure on this list. DeChaine discusses the benefits of fishing panfish jigs, the wide variety of sizes and profiles available to anglers, and some general rules on when to use each. Perhaps most importantly, jigs provide immediate depth control and the ability to cover water -- a must to finding nomadic panfish.
• PANFISH JIGS - Buy at FishUSA (bit.ly/44L6WWl), Buy at Bass Pro Shops (bit.ly/45u3twq)
• PANFISH JIG HEADS - Buy at FishUSA (bit.ly/3sCHWTr)
• PANFISH PLASTICS - Buy at FishUSA (bit.ly/3OYSrbt), Buy at Bass Pro Shops (bit.ly/45Nqytx)
04:09 - Bobbers (corks). Most panfish anglers started their fishing career with a bait suspended beneath a bobber. DeChaine introduces some of the most popular bobber styles available and how to pair each to the situation. He dives deeper into his personal favorite slip bobber setup, which forgoes the use of weight altogether.
• BOBBERS & FLOATS - Buy at FishUSA (bit.ly/3KChAqS), Buy at Bass Pro Shops (bit.ly/45LMrtp)
07:37 - Drop shot rig. Experienced drop shot anglers understand the utility of drop-shotting extends well beyond bass fishing. Like jig fishing panfish, a drop shot makes mastering depth control a breeze for fish on or near the bottom (e.g., bedding bluegill). DeChaine overviews the drop shot setup for panfish, and his preferences regarding weight, hook and bait options.
• DROP SHOT HOOKS - Buy at FishUSA (bit.ly/3qV60AD)
• WEIGHTS & SINKERS - Buy at FishUSA (bit.ly/3qKkXWi)
09:35 - Spinners. Yes, spinnerbaits, inline spinners and single spinner jig heads like the Road Runner (wired2.fish/RoadRunner) catch crappies with abandon. DeChaine discusses the utility of spinners, how to customize them based on fish location in the water column, size of fish, and the type of cover.
• PANFISH SPINNERBAITS - Buy at FishUSA (bit.ly/45KReez)
• PANFISH INLINE SPINNERS - Buy at FishUSA (bit.ly/3OUcJTm)
• PANFISH SPINNERS - Buy at Bass Pro Shops (bit.ly/3L0FNHK)
• ROAD RUNNER - Buy at FishUSA (bit.ly/3KWqEr2), Buy at Bass Pro Shops
11:10 - Hard baits like jerkbaits, lipless crankbaits, and spybaits. Like drop-shotting panfish, there's tremendous crossover potential of hard baits in crappie fishing. Our team regularly targets crappies and bluegills with a variety of hard baits such as those mentioned above. These lures are typically bigger and more aggressive than traditional baits, so it's common to see catch size increase. Are you having a hard time getting fish to bite? Try triggering strikes with a bigger profile that emits an erratic and unpredictable action -- jerkbait fishing crappies is a prime case in point.
• CRAPPIE HARD BAITS - Buy at FishUSA (bit.ly/3L12fAo),
12:40 - Gliding jigs and spoons. We've grouped gliding jigs like the Rapala Jigging Rap and slab and flutter spoons together here. Like conventional jigs and hard baits, gliding jigs and spoons sink quickly for reaching fish at various depths and trigger bites through a combination of profile and different and unique actions. Commonly used in ice fishing, gliding jigs and spoons excel particularly well during the fall months when huge schools of fish take form and congregate in basin areas.
GLIDING JIGS/aka SWIMMING JIGS SAMPLES
• RAPALA JIGGING RAP - Buy at FishUSA (bit.ly/45Jgq54), By at Bass Pro Shops (bit.ly/47VgLDC)
• NORTHLAND PUPPET MINNOW DARTER JIG - Buy at FishUSA (bit.ly/45u0BzA), Buy at Bass Pro Shops (bit.ly/45SNs2V)
• MOONSHINE LURES SHIVER MINNOW - Buy at FishUSA (bit.ly/47VGyf9), Buy at Bass Pro Shops (bit.ly/3R08OqF)
• PANFISH SPOONS - Buy at FishUSA (bit.ly/44pRajr)
► SUBSCRIBE for more AWESOME FISHING TIPS: wired2.fish/YTSub
► SHOP WIRED2FISH GEAR HERE: www.wired2fishgear.com
FOLLOW US HERE AS WELL:
► www.wired2fish.com
► / wired2fish_official
► / wired2fish
► / wired2fish
As much as I love chasing giant catfish, bass, etc. really none of it is as fun as catching panfish.
Nor is it as delicious. Crappie is just the best tasting imo
Right! Lol bass and catfish don’t taste as good as panfish and something about those small strong pulls hit different on a nice day😂rather than struggling with bigger fish
That thump is addictive
@@AlphaQHardI heard perch can edge out crappie a tad, apparently they taste sweet
This is a really well made video and covers all my fav techniques in the perfect order. If you can’t catch a panfish after watching this video then you might be out of luck.
MAN! When i tell you its so great to finallyyyyyyyyy hear somebody else say use small snaps so switching baits wont be such a hassle. EVERYBODY i tell that says ohhhh well the fish see it and wont bite or it changes the natural action... NO IT DOESNT unless youre using a snap swivel the size of a DUNKIN' DONUT with a crappie jig on it. lmao!!! i use size 0 snaps. Theyre PERFECT!!! Doesnt even change how the jig sits in the water or the natural action. Im also sick of people on youtube and in person that argue that fish wont bite hooks with high vis line attached. lmao! Its like they only watch their own videos. Fish are smart and they may swim in "schools" but they arent scholars. lol I have no idea where these people DIDNT learn to fish!
Excellent gear/set-up overview! Might want to mention how delicious these abundant fish are as well!
Fishing for panfish is honestly SO fun. It brings back memories a lot for me.
It's always a good time going back to your roots!
Bro the way dude caught n grabbed that fish was smooth af 8:17
Very well put together video, been favoring pan fishing because of BFS but still love to use a UL fishing reel as well
Thank you for a in-depth on baits. I love fishing but never had any formal training. Headed out in the morning so will give some of these a try
Successful? Would love to hear how it worked!
Tgank you for this excellent tutorial. Best video I have ever seen on fishing, period. I love to fish but I do not know what in the world I'm doing...until now, I am definitely going to subscribe and save this video.
Thanks for the video. Interested in knowing what reels you recommend, specifically the wide bale models.
This video has brought confidence in my fishing IQ. Great thanks.
🙋 Epic video right here, I enjoyed watching it. Who doesn't like to catch a lot of panfish, crappies and even catching trout. I use a lot of small rubber jigs and stuff like that when I'm fishing for these types of fish. Here's what I use a lot 1.25 inch Mr twister nymphs, a lot of trout magnets, striking crappie 2 in lightning shad baits, Berkley powerbait 2 in ripple shad, vmc pro series crayfish jigs and if they don't work I go to other stuff like rooster tail spinners, a 1/16 oz. yo-zuri pin's minnows or a 2/32 oz dardevle spoons and maybe even a hair jig or two. I always use 8 lb test line give or take.
Fantastic information! Thanks for sharing.
Wire2fish, what are you doing to me this is a beautiful video, got my blood pumping I literally said "I'm going fishing" I look up and I'am at work. fU***********. Completely forgot just that quick, about to call off while at work. This right here is why we love fishing its complexed but simple. A bad day of fishing beats a good day at work. Keep bringing these fire videos we love'em.
Yo. Great video man. I learned alot of new things.
Great informative video. May I ask what fish finder that showed the gill beds so clearly and how difficult it is to operate? Thank you for your help and time.
Excellent video for us panfish people !
Always have a drop shot tied on. I use it for creek chubs, creek smallies, panfish, largemouth, even channel cats hit it.
Great video , to the point and no bs . Thanks Joe
Thanks, we appreciate it.
If you can't catch crappie or bluegill after watching this video.. stop fishing and pickup another sport. This is the best video ever! Well done!💯
Thanks for the comment, and we're glad the content resonated.
omg-GREAT VIDEO- BEEN HOPING TO FIND SOMETHING LIKE THIS. i HAVE BEEN USING MUCH LARGER BAITS-BUT NOT AFTER SEEING ALL YOUR PREFERRED LURES.-THANKS!
What an excellent vid. So many great options here. Only just got into jigging raps and they can really trigger some bites. Best thing about panfish fishing with kids are the bright bait colours. The little ones love 'em!
Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, taking kids out has become a big part of my routine as a father of 3. It's all about action for them, and if I'm not on fish, they love playing with tackle (minus the dangerous jigging raps)!
Look into "no knot fast snaps" for UL lures. They were designed for fly fishing but I've been using them for UL for years and love'em!
I concur!
Tiny square bills and lipless cranks are an awesome choice!! Same with a trout magnet... my top 3 for panfish
The strike king bitsy minnow is amazing
@@rodri3161hell yeah I swear by it!! Fire tiger all the way
Great video and support. Thanks
Those Rattlin Pear bobbers by Mr Crappie are great for casting long distance on a light presentation.
Rocket bobbers are better: cast farther and more accurately.
Awesome thanks for sharing
awesome, well explaind and entertaining video
Fellas, seriously thanks!
Our pleasure man! Thanks for watching.
great info thanks...
I fish both salt and freshwater. I’ve had some incredibly fun days of fishing for big bluegill on a 4 weight fly rod using tiny poppers and foam top water beetles… what a blast!
Yes! When they turn on, flies will outfish lures, and you can’t beat the surface action!
Where do I find your friends hand tied jigs ? I have two grandsons that I take fishing and they really like catching fish and I believe that with the baits and methods that you shared would help in assuring they continue the sport.
good stuff brother
Good info.
Great video! At 11:12, what is that small gold/black lipless on the bottom? I recognize the others, but not that one...looks amazing.
Hey Aaron, good eye. That little lipless nugget is the 13 Fishing Micro Magic Man, a tiny 1'' bait. Hooks are small so we use it primarily for bluegill although we have caught crappie on it.
@@Wired2Fish Thanks! I haven't used any of 13 Fishing's lures yet so this will be a good excuse to give them a try. And that sounds perfect, I'm typically targeting large bluegill and shellcrackers with my panfish setup anyhow.
I love minnow fishing while i use jigs on my other pole.
Great video
Fishing a buddy’s pond, ended up getting a big bluegill on a full sized lipless crank
Very cool, yeah, those bull gills have an odd obsession with lipless cranks! We had some of that going on in this video --> kzhead.info/sun/iraoiaegsYCJkqM/bejne.html
Awesome thank you
Panfish put up the best fight and taste the best out of the bigger fish comparison
What is it about pink that draws fish? I have caught many walleye and crappie on some sort of pink variation.
Thank You
El mejor video de todos los tiempos, asta yo que no se mucho inglés entiendo
Caught a perch today on a black senko… wild.
Will small plastic crickets work
I am going to a like ❤❤
Yay❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ 😂😂😂
😅
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Alabama, in the mid-70s, I was fishing with my older brother (I was about 10 years old), and there was an old man catching fish left and right. My brother asked what he was using, and he said, "Snapped green beans." My brother said, "Fish eat green beans?" The old man looked at us and, with a little grin, said, "they're my wife's green beans."Everything love my wife's cookin'." I see people waste so much money on fancy packaging when sometimes it's the simplest things that work.
I’m starting to enjoy this style of fishing over bass fishing. Bass fishing has become a money grab and all you do is cast and wind most of the day.
Dope
Some proper info
hi , for spinners can i use snap swivel or do most ppl just tie them directly to the line ,if so should i use a loop knot or will a regular knot do?
Personally I use a snap swivel for spinners so it doesn’t “twist” the line up. Spinners are the only lure I use snap swivels on, everything else direct tie or a cross lock.
@@deluxsundial well they say a spinner does not twist in that way but other lures do like spoons ,,by cross lock you mean a snap without the swivel part?
Does a 1 inch curly tail or crappie tube work for bluegill
I’ve caught quite a few on both tubes and twister tails…if I catch one on them I grab nightcrawlers immediately to keep them coming
Try a yellow and black beetlespin.
Did he really just spit it back out lmao 2:37
he said "widessness" instead of width lol
Anyone else with a slip bobber, and they crack all the time?? And why does it happen
Sunfish are known as bream in the south
👍👍👍
While I respect the tackle suggestions you present here; ones personal approach to fishing might dictate the tackle that he/she chooses. I can see the desire to want to use the heavier tackle you suggest here...the medium-heavy tackle, IF one has a need to horse fish to the boat or shore; as in a competitive/tournament situation; or if your 'sole' motivation is to catch fish for the dinner table. But most 'sport' fisherman who fish for the challenge, and enjoy the fight of a fish, will tend to choose lighter, sportier tackle...Ultralight to Light tackle, depending on the species and water conditions being fished. Allowing a fish to fight....that tug of war, is what sport fishing is all about.
The fight isn’t the main reason people like a lighter rod. It’s easier to cast small lures, it’s more sensitive, it’s lighter in your hands so it’s easier to use etc. the better fight is a bonus, but these are panfish here. They don’t exactly fight. If you tried casting a 3/32 crappie jig on a medium heavy it would go maybe 10 feet in front of you
He did not recommend medium heavy tackle; he recommended light to medium light tackle.
I was number one
Did he say "widenesses" instead of width?!
For rods i use one that isnt broken. Haha.
Different wideness😅
w o r m
Bass are panfish... just saying
Frrrrrr they taste good
@@callumloader8713 yes they do, most people don't realize it. Delicious white flaky meat.
but sir. what why you not mention line diameter and weight of line ? and the fact, crappie prefer lighter line and, swivel can become weakest link ? if you catch a biggin' as jimmy houston says.
😮😮😮😮😮😮😮
😅😅