From bluegills and crappie to yellow and white perch, fall back to panfish.
Autumn’s firing-on-all-cylinders counterpart to May fishing – when it comes to the pantastic clan – reveals itself again at the tenth turn of the calendar page as cooling waters, receding vegetation and the still abundant forage spur seasonal change feeding binges.
We’re talking the likes of black and white crappies, yellow and white perch, rock bass, and the ubiquitous sunfish, primarily bluegills and those brilliantly spangled pumpkinseeds. Taken in context, these can attain slab proportions. The informal “panfish” classification is apropos, as either whole or filleted, these make for fantastic fall table fare.
Niche fillers on autumn’s sweetwater scene? To some, yes. To others these are primary targets that provide thrilling antics on ultralight tackle. Indeed, the burgeoning awareness of the panfish possibilities has spawned an industry in and of itself. For example, witness the relatively high dollar performance specialty rods designed for this burgeoning market by the likes of industry giant St. Croix Rod Company via its nine model Avid Panfish series. There are other manufacturers doing the same.
These rods are designed for the likes of 2- to 4-pound test mono and superlines, either braid or fused in the 4- to 6-pound class, exponentially elevating the tug is the drug experience. All things being equal though, the basic ultralight outfit offered at bargain prices will get the job done.
Lures? Too many to name, but the works of venerable veterans such as Mr. Twister quickly come to mind, as do the likes of Leland Lures, Yo-Zuri and a host of others which have been around for decades. Newcomers like Mule Fishing are in the mix as well. The selections may boggle the mind and with good reason, despite being abundant and displaying a willingness to feed under the majority of conditions, even freshwater panfish will occasionally display a modicum of smarts and selectivity that require multiple visits to the tackle bag. Color, size, and scent may all come in to play at some point, as the panfish clan sometimes proves a finicky bunch.
But not now. The perch, crappies and sunnies this time of year are mostly in a chowing mood basically from mid-morning until the later phases of dusk. As with the bass, walleye, pickerel, northern pike, muskies, hybrid stripers and catfish, they sense advent of the winter chill and start the calorie stoking.
Locations vary with the species, but there is significant overlap. Perch and crappies are notorious schoolers and during the autumn period will generally hold in venue’s deeper areas before moving in towards the shallower flats and channel edges by mid to late afternoon. Weed edges, sunken brush and rocky bottoms are all prime locations While sunfish will sometimes school, these congregations tend to be smaller in member number than the aforementioned duo. They’ll be scattered but exhibit the same transience to similar feeding areas
Minnows and shiners are the targets of the crappies and perch. They’ll pounce on a small crayfish should the opportunity present itself. While the larger slab sunfish will take out a minnow, it’s more about aquatic insect forms, copepods and unlucky terrestrials such as grasshoppers and crickets.
Rock bass are a wild card. The goggle-eyed stocky rocky is found in both still water and stream/river environs like the perch partners. It’s a loner for sure, and generally proves more aggressive towards a presentation. Minnows and small shiners are favored fare, but crays and nymphs are also on the menu.
We opt for the smaller lakes and ponds when pursing the Indian Summer panfish bounty for the simple reasons that they are easier to locates and work over, whether from the bank, dock, ‘yak or jon boat.
Options are legion, and the fishing can be as simple or as intriguing as one chooses to make it. Working the jigs, plastics, and miniature crankbaits, spinnerbaits and spinners is a blast, what better reminder of where it all started than watching a bobber slip under the surface after the minnow or gardenworm has been taken?
Oh, not to forget the fly rod option. Calm, warm Indian summer late afternoons melding to dusk are ideal times for small poppers, sponge spiders, bushy dries and nymphs.
Glorious weather, eager and willing quarry, and a fish fry reward during another pantastic October!