Thread: panfish versus bass

I get the total snub from Bass guys... I love Crappie fishing and the wife and I are avid Cat fishers....LOL

PANfish if you caught a 6lb bluegill you would have a heck of a time getting it in than you would a bass pound for pound no contest.

Panfish is definitely still my top choice.

I have been bass fishing more than ever in the past year and a half, and it is pretty fun on a good day. I've invested in a couple of high end rods and reels (Shimano Cumulus/ Core kinda stuff) because I hate being held back by my equipment. Well it's also because I'm a bit of a tackle enthusiast, but that's not important in this discussion. I also mostly stick with finesse techniques, with 1/8oz shakey heads rigged with 6" Roboworms being my go-to bass bait pretty much year-round, so I'm not into just dragging the fish to the boat in 2 seconds.

To me, bass fishing just doesn't compare to a good day of crappie fishing. Pulling 2lb. crappie out from under a boathouse or catching monster bluegill on a fly is just hard to beat. And I'd rather catch a 3lb. crappie than an 8lb. bass any day. I'll continue bass fishing regularly in the warmer months, but I'll always have at least one ultralight on the deck at all times.

This is a subject that is formed around opinions, likes and dislikes and pocketbooks. When a person ( notice that is politically correct) spends $45,000 on a bass boat, and 35 to $40 K on a truck he is expected to bass fish. Bass rods are much more expensive than crappie rods and you need one or more rod for different techniques . When you make that financial commitment you become a Bass Fisherman. Over five decades I have accumulated Tackle for most freshwater species. I am not a purist, I just like to fish. I chase the crappie today because it is a much slower pace and more relaxing. The Bass boys like to quit around 3:00 PM . I fish from daylight to dark. When I am on the water you can rest assured That I have a rod rigged for the striper/ hybrid and a bass rod and the appropriate bait on board. I also carry my favorite bait for the shell-cracker and the blue gill. Crappie tournaments are growing and the purses are becoming larger and the crowds are growing. I don't like to watch baseball, or football but all my friends do. They are just not invited to my house on Sunday afternoon. I used to live to hunt and fish. Hunting is pretty much gone by the wayside because of the lack of interest. So in the future when the Bass Boys come by at a hi rate of speed don't complain , just get even. Most Crappie fishermen that I know sit on the butts while fishing. The Bass boy is standing, so go rock his world. You don't have to go fast to shake a man standing in a boat. This was not suppose to be a 30 min. dissertation . Live and let live.

Originally Posted by deathb4disco

Agreed. If you only fish for one species or only use one method, I think you're short-changing yourself.

well put my friend

No need to throw cast ur arm off for 8 fish all day when you can sprider rig and take 20 or more home to EAT.

I always thought Mary Ann was the HOTTT one !! Guess that's why I roll with panfishing...lol
If by luck I hang into a Ginger, it's still good just a little extra work to get her "fileted" is all...lol

Agreed, guys. Pound for pound, bluegill are almost THE hardest fighting fish. Remember fishing while a friend pulled up in his brand new Ranger bass boat, said it cost him $35,000+. Told him it was a NICE boat and asked him how many fish he`d gotten. He said "Not a bite'. Showwed him 25+ 8- 10" gills; he laughed and told me that he`d "gone BIG time..." Haven`t really talked with him much since he "went BIG time", more on his part than mine. For what it`s worth consider this: betwwen a 5 pd bass or a 5 pd carp, which 1 fights harder? Which 1 fights LONGER? Which 1`s more likely to break off? I like bass fishing, but if I just want a FIGHT on the other end of the line, I AIN`T going bass fishing ! She wasn`t as "cute', but throw in Mrs. Howell !