Panfish Equipment/Gear

  • adam-bartusek
    New Prague, MN
    Posts: 578
    June 11, 2013 at 11:45 pm #1282569

    Hey everyone! As most of you know I am a bass guy, not a panfish man.

    At this moment I am currently in Kent, CT working at a summer camp for kids. I will be teaching them fishing on a PRIVATE lake with gills EASILY over 1lb. In all honest I have never seen Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, or Perch this side. It is truly incredible They even have Largemouth and Smallmouth that are passing 8lbs with ease, it’s an amazing fishery to say the least.

    My question for all of you Panfishermen out there is what hooks, they need to be cheap and in bulk, should I buy for this camp? I also need weights, bobbers, and other gear you could imagine. So if you guys come up with some other gear I might need be sure to let me know because I have a lot going on right now. I just have no idea what size is good for panfish, want to make sure we have a HIGH release rate.

    Thanks all, have a great time in the midwest.

    BBKK
    IA
    Posts: 4033
    June 11, 2013 at 11:53 pm #1177229

    #4 eagle claw aberdeen light wire. 214EL-4

    Check captain hooks discount warehouse for good bulk prices.

    Paul Heise
    River Falls, Wi
    Posts: 723
    June 11, 2013 at 11:58 pm #1177231

    Go with a number 6 or even 4. They sound like larger fish, so those sizes shouldn’t be an issue. Try to make sure they have a long or extended shank as well. The bigger/longer the hook is, the harder it will be for them to swallow if a high release rate is what your after. As far as a bobber any type will work. Go cheap to get quantity, and add sinkers to make it float just right. Good luck and have fun!

    adam-bartusek
    New Prague, MN
    Posts: 578
    June 12, 2013 at 12:03 am #1177232

    We have been looking at long shank hooks but I thought Circle hooks were better for release and hook up ratios? you have to remember kids are setting the hook. Not me

    Chuck Melcher
    SE Wisconsin, Racine County
    Posts: 1966
    June 12, 2013 at 12:28 am #1177236

    I find small jigs with light wire hooks easiest to use for C&R for kids I have had out, less deep hooks. Depends in depth, even under a float, a 1/32 jig and a simple round 1″ bobber snapped on for shallow water is simple, and effective. Been using gulp 1″ minnows (or other little options)… get a ton of fish without having to rebait… and that can be huge with kids and keeping up as well.

    Do a lot of the same even for deeper weed lines (w/o bobber), just cast it out, count down and slow return, or if in a boat, drag while drifting.

    Deep water, add a split shot up a ways for drifting, or even a drop shot style deal using a small loop and gold hook foot or two above a bell sinker. Same gulp threaded on. Drop to bottom, lighten line, wait for the feel and set the hook. Killer, and easy for kids on deep water.

    Heck, I use the same methods most of the time.

    Dadams
    Emmetsburg, Iowa
    Posts: 114
    June 12, 2013 at 2:14 am #1177244

    Last summer I found a similar private pond fishery of comparable quality you are fishing. I used long shank 2 and 4 hooks, I think they are for fishing with crickets. I found that the extra long shank made it easier to back the hooks out of fish that totally put down the smack on the crawler. Have fun!!!

    mplspug
    Palmetto, Florida
    Posts: 25026
    June 12, 2013 at 2:30 am #1177249

    I read in In-Fisherman the long shank Aberdeen style hooks have the highest mortality rate. However that is if they are left in and longer shanks may be easier to get out. So I guess I wonder why I bring it up.

    I would stay away from circle hooks. Hard for kids to use them and even adults when fishing small fish. I spent a day with someone where I kept missing fish on a circle while he was catching them. I switched hooks and all was well.

    Sounds like you are in for some fun with those kids. Pictures of the fish would be appreciated!

    riverruns
    Inactive
    Posts: 2218
    June 12, 2013 at 2:59 am #1177262

    go with long shank wire hooks. #2 – #4 . Easy.
    Shawn

    Chuck Melcher
    SE Wisconsin, Racine County
    Posts: 1966
    June 12, 2013 at 4:17 am #1177270

    Crush barbs closed…. helps a bunch as well on pannies.

    BBKK
    IA
    Posts: 4033
    June 12, 2013 at 3:52 pm #1177356

    Quote:

    Crush barbs closed…. helps a bunch as well on pannies.

    Also helps kids lose multiple fish and get frustrated and disappointed in the sport.

    lhprop1
    Eagan
    Posts: 1899
    June 12, 2013 at 3:57 pm #1177359

    Quote:

    Quote:

    Crush barbs closed…. helps a bunch as well on pannies.

    Also helps kids lose multiple fish and get frustrated and disappointed in the sport.

    If he’s going to have a bunch of kids to watch at once, I would absolutely recommend crushing the barbs. One kid is tough enough to keep track of. Watching multiple kids is like getting into a slap fight with an octopus.

    Nothing worse than having to take a kid to the doc to get a hook removed and ruin everyone’s day. I’d rather they missed a few fish.

    BBKK
    IA
    Posts: 4033
    June 12, 2013 at 4:12 pm #1177365

    Quote:

    If he’s going to have a bunch of kids to watch at once, I would absolutely recommend crushing the barbs. One kid is tough enough to keep track of. Watching multiple kids is like getting into a slap fight with an octopus.

    If he has to watch/help so many kids that there is a chance someone will get hurt then he needs more help. Maybe some of the guys here who only sit here and post all day could sacrifice their day to go volunteer? If you were closer to me I would love to help out.

    lhprop1
    Eagan
    Posts: 1899
    June 12, 2013 at 4:26 pm #1177372

    Quote:

    Maybe some of the guys here who only sit here and post all day could sacrifice their day to go volunteer?

    He’s at a camp in Connecticut. That’s a bit of a hike to help him work with kids for a weekend.

    Why are you always so negative? Try wearing burlap skivvies some time. It might make you a little happier.

    mplspug
    Palmetto, Florida
    Posts: 25026
    June 12, 2013 at 4:35 pm #1177374

    If the kids keep losing multiple fish because of a barbless hook, then the maybe fishing isn’t their thing. Maybe they are more cut out for shoplifting and vandalism.

    Chuck Melcher
    SE Wisconsin, Racine County
    Posts: 1966
    June 12, 2013 at 5:28 pm #1177394

    Quote:

    Quote:

    If he’s going to have a bunch of kids to watch at once, I would absolutely recommend crushing the barbs. One kid is tough enough to keep track of. Watching multiple kids is like getting into a slap fight with an octopus.

    If he has to watch/help so many kids that there is a chance someone will get hurt then he needs more help. Maybe some of the guys here who only sit here and post all day could sacrifice their day to go volunteer? If you were closer to me I would love to help out.

    I agree… keep the negative to yourself.

    I’ve never seen a kid not real as fast as they could once they know to start bringing something in. Easy hook removal is huge.. for release, and for kids possibly getting stuck.

    Mudshark
    LaCrosse WI
    Posts: 2973
    June 12, 2013 at 8:26 pm #1177453

    How does an innocent post like this turn into a pissing match???

    I don’t understand…but I grow weary of it…..

    lhprop1
    Eagan
    Posts: 1899
    June 12, 2013 at 8:29 pm #1177456

    Quote:

    How does an innocent post like this turn into a pissing match???

    I’m not naming names, but there are some people who would complain if you hung ’em with a new rope.

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