Thread: Panfish Lures (What's worked for you)?

Originally Posted by robbor

I prefer smaller lures for gills. I used 1/32 foxee jigs for years and since they were discontinued i have gone with smaller lure/hooks. Also redworms on really small ice jigs or hooks work great. I usually stay at 1/100 oz or smaller. One of the deadliest jigs ive used if you can call it a jig is a turner jones scampi (1/500 oz) but they are $3 ea. I also added a bunch of really small daiichi fly hooks to all mt boxes recently. I slow fall sometimes really helps, also light weight seems to help peckers actually take it in.

I hate it that the Foxee jigs are no longer available. I used them in the late winter and early spring when the red ears are on the 2' deep flats. Later in the year, you cant' beat black 1/8 onz Roostertails on a five ft ultra lite. I wished Skip or Ship would produce something like the Foxee jig. I still have a few and guard them like they are gold.
DP

I've had alot of luck with Maki plastics. Welcome to Makiplastic.com Put one of these baits on a tiny jig and fish it under a slip bobber.

For big bluegill I like a black fly and a waxworm,with a small splitshot one foot up the line

I use a 1/64 oz. ball jig head with a1.5 in. plastic bait from FishStalker Lures called a slabtail. Don't matter what color, they like them all.

When I use flies, a yellow/black wolly bugger or olive with a bead head. These work best just after sunrise or before sunset.

Im with robboor and drpepper. I loved the foxxie jig. I bought a small utility box used at a local sporting goods store and it had a pumpkin foxxie with a orange head, MYGOD i have caught more BIG gills on that thing than any other thing. I fished it under a pop r with a florocarbon leader when the water is warm and they are pickin on the top or on a jig spinner when I fish movin water and deeper water. I used my last one last year and caught a 12 1/4" shellcracker.
I also like the bittsy pond minnow by strike king Firetiger is the best. You can crank it twitch it on top, I dont think you can fish it wrong. Also use jigs I tie from 1/80 oz. to 1/32oz.

I only use 1/64 or1/32 oz jigheads with southern pro lil hustler tubes. Various colors for various days.

Love this thread! Many good ideas!

My favorite panfish lure is what I grew up calling an "ugly bug", a little plastic grub with four wiggly legs. I think it works well because there is no tail for the bream to pull! they are hard to find now, usually the ones I use are these by southern pro in a package at Cabela's. Southern Pro Tackle :: Product Showcase - Lit'l Fiddle Legs
that they call "fiddle legs". I have also found them at sportsman's warehouse outlets. I usually fish them with a small jig spinner if the cover is heavy or with a 1/32 oz jighead in open water on an ultralight rig. Tons of fun! they will also catch crappie and small bass!

Good luck and tight lines!