When considering your gear setup, there are a couple of great options for fishing for panfish. The two big ones are fly fishing and ultra light fishing. Both of these techniques are both rewarding as well as fun. If you decide to fly fish for panfish, pick a rod between 4 and 6 weight. If ultra light fishing is more your style, shop for a 6 foot, single piece, fast action type rod.
Anytime you are fishing for panfish, be sure to carry a pair of hemostats with you. Panfish tend to have rather small mouths and have a bad habit of swallowing lures and baits whole. Hemostats will save you from having to wrestle the hook out of the fish’s throat.
There are tons of baits and lures on the market today, it can be a daunting task to know what to buy. Small live minnows or soft plastic lures work well for panfishing and should always be in your tackle box when heading out for a day of fishing. Bobber rigs and Marabou jigs between 1/32 and 1/16 are also effective bait for panfish.
Lastly, invest in a good vest. The handy pockets in them keeps your gear at your fingertips. They also keep your gear dry and out of the water.
