05-01-2007, 01:30 PM
I'm getting a fly casting outfit this year, it'll be my first one and it seems it will be alot of fun
] Unfortunately, alot of the fishing conditions here for panfish won't allow for a fly rod. I'm saving it for open water ponds and also for top water saltwater fishing. Most of the rivers I fish here are narrow with lots of surface and sub-level structure. You wouldn't have room to cast a fly on them as alot of times you're casting your bait/lure 6' under an over hanging limb or having to drop it right in the middle of submerged branches or stumps. The most effective set up on the water I mostly fish is ultra light spinning tackle. You can really get into those tight spots with a small outfit like that. I have a very short 5' ugly stix with a quantum Xtra light reel spooled with 10 lb stren super braid. I couldn't ask for a better panfish rig regardless of the target species.
I usually use beetle spins, small rooster tails, or tiny rapala swimming lures. I also like to use small surface poppers early in the morning or late in the evening, those things are deadly. My favorite method is to use live bait. Wax worms are my favorite, but i'll use a cricket if I can't find any.
My favorite time of year is right now, when the catapillers start moving around. Those are hands down the best bait i've ever used, and they catch nothing but huge panfish. I hook them right through the mid section and let the head and tail flop around.
I'm going to hit the river this weekend. It looks like the ocean isn't going to lay down by then, and i'm sure the water will be at a decent level too. Should be some good fishing. [cool]
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] Unfortunately, alot of the fishing conditions here for panfish won't allow for a fly rod. I'm saving it for open water ponds and also for top water saltwater fishing. Most of the rivers I fish here are narrow with lots of surface and sub-level structure. You wouldn't have room to cast a fly on them as alot of times you're casting your bait/lure 6' under an over hanging limb or having to drop it right in the middle of submerged branches or stumps. The most effective set up on the water I mostly fish is ultra light spinning tackle. You can really get into those tight spots with a small outfit like that. I have a very short 5' ugly stix with a quantum Xtra light reel spooled with 10 lb stren super braid. I couldn't ask for a better panfish rig regardless of the target species. I usually use beetle spins, small rooster tails, or tiny rapala swimming lures. I also like to use small surface poppers early in the morning or late in the evening, those things are deadly. My favorite method is to use live bait. Wax worms are my favorite, but i'll use a cricket if I can't find any.
My favorite time of year is right now, when the catapillers start moving around. Those are hands down the best bait i've ever used, and they catch nothing but huge panfish. I hook them right through the mid section and let the head and tail flop around.
I'm going to hit the river this weekend. It looks like the ocean isn't going to lay down by then, and i'm sure the water will be at a decent level too. Should be some good fishing. [cool]
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