Baits and Lures

Most anglers catch pan fish when fishing with worms. They are the favorite bait for the young or novice angler. Worms are best combined with an ultralight spinning rod and reel loaded with four-pound monofilament. Although dew worms are the ones most often used, the smaller garden variety work best particularly when used with size 10 barbless hooks rather than with the oversized long-shanked variety.

The smaller worms, or garden hackle, can be threaded onto the size 10 hook leaving both ends dangling in an enticing manner. The angler may need a small splitshot four inches above the hook and a tiny bobber to complete this favored rig. A lobbed cast close to floating weeds or a dock, then a short wait, usually result in a catch.

Anglers have been known to use an interesting variety of alternate live baits: maggots, grubs, crickets, large nymphs, and small minnows. The key is to use small specimens so that the fish is able to take them in its small mouth. Barbless hooks will facilitate the release of the fish when it is too small to keep. Bluegills have the reputation of being nibblers and will soon shred the bait off a large hook. A fisherman will know if one starts nibbling when the cork begins to bounce or by the little tugs at the line if light-line fishing. Patience is needed until the fish actually seizes the baited hook and starts to run with it.

The bluegill will hit a lure but only the tiniest. Casting a lure into a weedy wilderness inhabited by bluegill often results in the loss of the lure. Open water around docks and rock obstructions is a better fishing site. But if you are fishing deeper holes in lakes or at the mouth of a river or creek, spin fishing or casting a weighted lure, such as a tiny yellow jig, through these holes has proven effective. Small lead-headed jigs with a variety of dressing can also be fished under bobbers. This method provides precise depth control even for the novice angler. Add your favorite live bait to the jig under cold-water conditions or when fishing is difficult.

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