Thread: Lake Havasu panfishing

Hey Matt - Pretty much the same as fishing for bass. The worms we use (African nightcrawlers) are conditioned (fed secret diet), nose hooked, and bounced across the bottom. These worms are huge - I pick out the smaller ones.
I had a Do-it mold ported out to make an ultra light 1/32 football head. Was pouring #8s - this season started using more of the #6s - going up to #4 for Lake Havasu. Auto style is two rubber legs on each side with four rubber strands and crystal flash for the tail. Thread body. I use glow powder paint and UV materials also. The pattern on chub style jigs is murder on big Bluegill. We use reptile rubber for the appendages.
My buddy Keith has 3 REs over 3lbs mounted and his PB is 4.1lbs. The average BG & Hybrids at Havasu is probably around 1.5lb. On this trip we fished 3 four hour sessions and I caught 3 REs over 2lbs. Keith caught just as many but the 3.5lb RE was BFOD for the trip.

Originally Posted by LedHed

The worms we use (African nightcrawlers) are conditioned (fed secret diet), nose hooked, and bounced across the bottom. These worms are huge - I pick out the smaller ones.

Never underestimate the power of good live bait.

Originally Posted by LedHed

Hey Matt - Pretty much the same as fishing for bass. The worms we use (African nightcrawlers) are conditioned (fed secret diet), nose hooked, and bounced across the bottom. These worms are huge - I pick out the smaller ones.
I had a Do-it mold ported out to make an ultra light 1/32 football head. Was pouring #8s - this season started using more of the #6s - going up to #4 for Lake Havasu. Auto style is two rubber legs on each side with four rubber strands and crystal flash for the tail. Thread body. I use glow powder paint and UV materials also. The pattern on chub style jigs is murder on big Bluegill. We use reptile rubber for the appendages.
My buddy Keith has 3 REs over 3lbs mounted and his PB is 4.1lbs. The average BG & Hybrids at Havasu is probably around 1.5lb. On this trip we fished 3 four hour sessions and I caught 3 REs over 2lbs. Keith caught just as many but the 3.5lb RE was BFOD for the trip.

Thanks for the detailed explication. I would Iove to see a picture of this rig. I have never used jumbo worms to catch Redear, just red wigglers. Maybe that's why I don't catch the big ones. I may have to try your method here in Arkansas and see what happens.

dbd - absolutely, My friend Keith raises some excellent bait. I'm trying with so-so results, still a cricket fan (but when in Roman....).

These are the jigs (2 on the right) I was using. All that was left - they are tyed on FB heads poured with Matzuo # 8 hooks. The 3 on the left were just tyed for the photo. The hooks are EC # 6 hooks. Just finished a batch (the jig patterns I ran out of) - # 4s with 1/32nd and 1/24th heads. Custom powder paint for the brown and orange. The other 2 color patterns are solid glo red and diamond black & glo pink.



Previous PB (2lb13oz) caught last May @ Lake Havasu



Another friend, Ross, with his PB (3lb5oz) caught in May also.

WOW. One of these day. Great job and tips. Thanks

Originally Posted by LedHed

These are the jigs (2 on the right) I was using. All that was left - they are tyed on FB heads poured with Matzuo # 8 hooks. The 3 on the left were just tyed for the photo. The hooks are EC # 6 hooks. Just finished a batch (the jig patterns I ran out of) - # 4s with 1/32nd and 1/24th heads. Custom powder paint for the brown and orange. The other 2 color patterns are solid glo red and diamond black & glo pink.

For any members who may have missed it, LedHed and his jigs were featured in an In-Fisherman article (last year, I believe.)

LED is a legend,known far and wide on the panfish forums.he manages to out do himself every year

Nice looking jigs. I may have to imitate those and give it a shot. Thanks!