Crappie & panfish

Crappie and panfish fishing is a precision game: small profiles, controlled depth, and subtle action that looks alive without moving too far. This category is built for bluegill, sunfish, crappie, perch, and “bonus” bass — whether you’re vertical over cover, slow-rolling edges, or pitching to holes in weeds.

Best for
Bluegill/sunfish, crappie, perch — plus bonus bass on small profiles.
Core idea
Depth control + pauses. Keep it in their face without spooking them.
Where it shines
Weed holes, brush piles, docks, basin schools, and current seams.
Confidence move
Downsize first, then slow down — most bites happen on the stall.
Panfish truth: If you’re not changing depth, you’re guessing. Adjust your weight before you change your bait.

Field guide: crappie & panfish

Depth. Hover. Tiny triggers.
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Finding them fast

Where to start when you don’t have a pattern yet.
  • Crappie: relate to cover and depth bands — brush, docks, edges, basin schools depending on season.
  • Bluegill: love weeds, shade, and hard edges — especially near spawning flats and inside turns.
  • Perch: roam transitions — sand/weed, mud/rock, and subtle bottom changes.

Depth control (the real “secret”)

How to stop fishing over or under them.
  • Change depth before you change color.
  • Use the lightest head/weight that still lets you control the fall and stay in the zone.
  • When bites are light, shorten your drop distance and hold it steadier.

Best presentations

A small rotation that covers most situations.
  • Small jig head: the workhorse — swim, pendulum, or tiny hops.
  • Slip float / fixed float: suspend in place over brush, pockets, and weed edges.
  • Vertical: drop and hover — especially for crappie around cover or basin fish.
  • Micro “lift-drop”: lift inches, let it glide back down — most bites happen on the fall.

Cadence that gets bit

Tiny movement, long pauses, and “hover” control.
  • Stall & shimmer: let it sit, then micro-shake slack to make it breathe.
  • Swim-pause: slow roll 1–3 feet, then pause and let it pendulum down.
  • One-pop rule: if they’re finicky, pop once, then deadstick longer than feels comfortable.

Color & size

Keep it visible enough… but not loud.
  • Clear water: natural / translucent profiles, subtle flake.
  • Stained water: darker silhouette or a brighter “spot” for visibility.
  • Rule: downsize before you downshift spots — panfish often want the same area, just smaller.

Crappie & panfish FAQ

Quick answers for common problems.
  • Why am I seeing fish but not catching? You’re usually too high/low or moving too much — hover and extend pauses.
  • Short strikes? Downsize and slow the fall (lighter head or shorter lift).
  • Snagging weeds? Go to a cleaner swim path, shorten your hop, or use a slightly heavier head to stay stable.
Quick pick: When bites get picky, your best move is almost always “smaller and steadier.”
Designed for: Multi-species anglers targeting crappie, bluegill, sunfish, perch — with bonus bass on micro profiles.