Hey Guys,

I am wanting to set up a tackle bag strictly for panfish and crappie. I like 1/32oz and 1/64 oz jigs and jig-heads on which I use Berkley Waxies or Berkley small grub style baits. I was wanting some input on your thoughts on what you would put in your bag strictly for crappie/panfish. I have a few lakes around that have the Warmouths. I love the taste of those things, it just takes a few of them to make a meal. Your thoughts and considerations would be appreciated. I fish West Texas lakes mostly Champion Creek, OH Ivie, Spence, Oak Creek, Moss Creek etc.. I was at the lake this last weekend and found myself lacking in the panfish tackle department. I appreciate your consideration.

David

West TX lakes typically mean deeper water so I would invest in some bigger jigs and some drop shot tackle. They will be up higher in the water column in early morning and maybe the evening, but daytime probably more consistent in the Spring. Consider trying braid made for spinning tackle like NanoFil. Some deeper small spinnerbaits like the Mepp's XD would help you find them faster.

I use a St Croix ultralite rod with a Diawa 1000 regal spinning reel. I have 10 lb nano fill on it. I also have a Daiwa KAGE ultra lite rod with a Daiwa Kage 1000 series reel. I fish 7 lb sinking braid on it. Im going to change to 12 lb sinking braid on the KAGE outfit because the 7 lb is too thin for me to try in windy conditions. Both outfits cast really well especially the one with the sinking braid. I fish a number 8 VMC drop shot hook with a 1/8 oz drop shot weight.

David...I like to fish drop shot for panfish. My preference is a #6 VMC Spinshot with a 1/8 oz weight. I also use 4 lb test Stren Fluorocarbon line that has been soaked in water for 5-7 days to eliminate the coiling issue. Bait of choice is the Gulp Alive 1" minnow. They catch fish like nothing I have ever seen before. Hope this helps...

Great information on this thread.

I would add a Shakespeare five foot ultralight combo (rod/reel) to your tackle. Size 8 Cricket Hooks, some small cigar shape floats, split shots, and some Gulp Alive Worms.



Side Note: You cold also have a tackle bag with a cold compartment where you can keep a carton of live worms.


For Crappie: Keep some Jigs (various colors), your jig heads, and some crappie nibbles. I use the same poles for crappie as I do for sunfish. I also use 6 pound test line for both crappie and sunfish.

I bring three spinning rigs out on the kayak for sunfish:
- 5 1/2 foot Field and Stream Ultralight-Fast rod with a Pflueger Trion Reel, 4 lb mono that I fish Gulp Alive Minnows on a 1/64th Oz Jig
- 6 1/2 foot Fenwick Light-Fast rod with a Pflueger President Reel, 6 lb mono with a Matzuo Nano Crank
- 6 1/2 foot Berkley Cherrywood Light-Fast rod with a Pflueger Supreme Reel, 4 lb mono with a Strike King Bitsy Minnow

My baits:
Gulp Alive Minnows on a 1/64th oz Trout Magnet Jig Head or the exact set up that Vogey uses for drop shotting (I mostly use the jig heads, I'm a lousy drop shot fisherman). I use either the Emerald Shiner or Chartreuse Minnow
Strike King Bitsy Minnow in Gizzard Shad or Sexy Shad
Matzuo Nano Crank in Black Shiner
Mepps Agila- Silver, Copper or Red/White in sizes from 0 to 2.
Acme Kastmaster- Silver, 1/12th, 1/8th and 1/4 Oz

I use a 5.5 or 6 ft UL rod with various brand 1000 size spinning reels.
I use 6 pound Nanofil line with an 8 foot piece of 4 or 6 pound flourocarbon
tied onto the Nanofill with a 5 wrap Double UniKnot. Then I rig a downshot
rig with a 1/8 oz weight and a #6 Owner Mosquito hook tied directly on the leader. I’ve been using mostly Gulp Alive 1” Minnow lately for bait. But I also use
live maggots and red wigglers.

I recently bought some of the Gulp Alive Waxies you mentioned and plan
on trying those on my next outing.

Best of luck with your new rig !

This video is a basic drop shot, I down size everything so it's panfish size (8# test,6# hooks 1/8 lead) and use double hooks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZTq3K__BqQ

Jiglyf tiny jig

PM me if you would like to try some

First, you guys have provided a ton of good information. I like the Berkley products, I have never tried the 1" minnows. I typically fish for bass but it sure would be nice to have an option for panfish and crappie. One of the lakes I have been frequenting does not have any way to get live bait such as minnows. I appreciate all of your thoughts and input. I am going to start stocking a tackle bag specific to panfish and crappie. I think this makes a really good start. If anyone has any other input, please keep the thread going.

Thanks,
David

Love threads like these. Plus #1 on all of the above.

have not tried the berkley bait but I can vouch for Jiglyf tiny.
My babies like em for bluegill fishing!


Gar 1970 if you have more you would like to sell let me know!

The "VOGEY" Drop Shot is a winner for Big Gills...first trip out caught 50 on Fayette in just a couple of hours. Gulp Alive minnows definitely work and aren't as messy as earthworms (which also work great). Catching almost 1lb bluegill is about as much fun as you can have fishing!

Wug...would love to see some pics of your big ones if you took any...