What are some good panfish lures and/or fake baits?

 

Sometimes when the bass'in get tough, Ill go for rock bass, yellow perch, sunnies, whatever is there. Plus it gives me the chance to experiment with new artifical baits and lures. Ive always used nightcrawlers for them but it would be more rewarding catching them without live bait.

 

list your favorites and watch fish it'll catch and anyother tips you want to share.

 

Thanks

 

These are what I always use. work good for crappie and bluegill

As far as I'm I'm concerned, panfish such as bluegills, perch, rock bass and crappie will take a wide variety of size-appropriate lures. The only one that I've targeted with any consistency is bluegill and use a Rapala Mini Fat Rap. However, I'm sure other small crankbaits would work well too. For the ones with bigger mouths than bluegill a grub on a 1/16 oz. jighead is good too. I just remembered that I used to target rockies years ago and used the aforementioned grub/jighead combination.

 

Increase your fun and use an ultralight combo with 4# line.

Thread from a couple weeks ago.....check out the link

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/121778-artificial-bait-for-bluegill/

Gulp earthworms are something I'm really starting to like. They are in a jar for $5. 

I feel like there's been 3 or 4 threads like this in the past couple months so I'll keep it short.  I've caught several varieties or panfish on:

 

Strike King Bitsy Minnow

Rebel Crickhopper

1/8 oz. inline spinner

 

Had more luck with live worms though.

Foam spiders can be killer on sunnies. If I do use live bait I like mealworms over crawlers.

Yamamoto grubs

Lake fork baby shad

Spro Phat flies

Size 3 rapalas

I use the smaller size Kastmaster when nothing else works. It is my all time favorite.  I catch Sunfish, Crappie, Perch, and Largemouth with it.

 

 

 

I use the smaller size Kastmaster when nothing else works. It is my all time favorite.  I catch Sunfish, Crappie, Perch, and Largemouth with it.

 

 

 

I used to use it too. But I switched away from it to the Mini Fat Rap. I don't know why I switched, but I'm sure it wasn't because the Kastmaster didn't catch fish.

The smallest rebel craw they make is killer on the more aggressive bluegill. Also mini mites and wedges work great. I love using a glow mini mite. 

1" Gulp Minnow on a drop shot. You'll catch them every cast/drop if your around them. From ice out till ice up.

 

These are what I always use. work good for crappie and bluegill

This in black and white.

2" white curly tail grub on a 1/16 jighead.

 

I like a 5' 6" uglystick with a size 10 reel and 8# power Pro braid. If/when you get snagged, pull and straighten the hook. Bend hook back with fingers and you are ready to go again.

1/16 white rooster tail.  I have caught everything from bass to sunfish on that lure.

I'll add the small mini tubes....they are great at times

rebel crickhopper, most small baits and fly tackle. 

I use the smaller size Kastmaster when nothing else works. It is my all time favorite.  I catch Sunfish, Crappie, Perch, and Largemouth with it.

 

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This is one of "go-to's" as well. I've switched out the treble for a #6 EC straight shank hook and a bit larger split ring. Count it down until your line jumps and you've found the correct depth. Then just reel....stop.....reel back. It works.

Most fun lure to target bluegill/panfish with is the Rebel Bumble Bee or a float and fly, IMHO. I'm with wademaster1 on tiny tubes, and everyone who suggested jig and grub too. The little 2" Gulp swimming minnow grubs are killer too when rigged on a tiny jighead.

 

What won't a bluegill strike? I've caught them on poppers, large cranks, and large spoons. They'll attack pretty much anything that moves.