Freshwater Fishing News

A pre-dawn bluegill sunfish

For panfish fanatics, having an arsenal of techniques can make the difference between success and disappointment while fishing for bluegill, pumpkinseed and other sunfish species.

As sunfish are members of the same family as largemouth and smallmouth bass, it’s not surprising to learn that many of the same tactics that fool trophy bass will also catch sunfish. The lures or rigs may be smaller, but the basic concepts apply.

When targeting trophy sized sunfish, try fishing as early as possible in the morning. In some locations the bite can be incredible during the first hour of daylight. The same goes for late evening, a time when sunfish often feed heavily.

Sunfish often exhibit territorial behavior that is nearly identical to largemouth bass. Recognizing structures that sunfish orient to and defend can be extremely effective. Casting to these structures requires accuracy as bluegill, pumpkinseed and other sunfish sometime hold tight but will attack any small object that enters their territory.

Areas where sunfish feed are often overlooked. The fish may be practically at your feet. When fishing from boats, cast as close to shorelines or cover as possible. Fishing kayaks offer access to many of the best panfish habitats where traditional boaters cannot fish.

Experienced sunfish anglers pay attention to seasonal food sources and switch lures or baits to take advantage of fish behavior. Sunfish are cunning, opportunistic feeders that quickly develop feeding patterns, when insect or other invertebrate populations increase locally. Among the most well known seasonal baits are grasshoppers and crickets, both of which sunfish quickly learn to gorge on.

Target areas of water flow such as natural springs, culverts, dams, channels, and intersections of creeks. In tidal areas, sunfish anglers should pay attention to tide states, following movements of fish and learning which tidal states result in the best fishing.

Keep essential fishing gear handy, including line cutters, pliers, bait knife, camera, etc.

The largemouth bass, one of North America’s most popular freshwater fish, is an opportunistic feeder. Adult bass are voracious, eating nearly anything that they can swallow, including fish, crustaceans, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and even members of their own species.

Young bass begin feeding on plankton soon after birth. They eventually leave the nest to seek cover and find food. Although newly hatched bass are vulnerable, they feed heavily, growing quickly during the Spring. Within a few months they have become skilled predators, gulping down young bluegill sunfish, small minnows, tadpoles, invertebrates and practically anything they can catch. Depending on their geographic location, water temperature and food supply, they may reach lengths of 4-8 inches in the first year.

Adult largemouth bass often feed on other members of the sunfish family. In many locations, bluegill sunfish are the main food source for bass. Other favorite meals include pumpkinseed and redear sunfish.

Largemouth feed heavily on non-native species in some lakes and rivers. They often gobble up young rainbow trout or other stocked species of fish that come within range. In some lakes, forage species such as gizzard shad or alewives have been introduced and make up a significant part of largemouth bass diets.

Another favorite meal of adult largemouth bass is the American bullfrog, a large aquatic frog, usually found along the water’s edge. Bullfrogs live in freshwater ponds, lakes, and marshes from Canada, southward throughout the continental United States and into Mexico. Their large webbed feet make them excellent swimmers but when caught in open water, they are no match for a trophy bass.

Crayfish are a favorite food of bass. Also known as crawfish or crawdads, these freshwater crustaceans resemble small lobsters. About 390 species of crayfish are found in North America, most ranging from 1-4 inches in length. They hide under rocks or in vegetation along the shoreline, occasionally stumbling into open waters where largemouth can feed on them.

Experienced fishermen often pay close attention to habitat and structure before and while fishing, looking for clues about what types of forage are available for largemouth bass. In some cases, matching the predominant food source can pay off.

A farm pond bluegill sunfish

Summer is an excellent time to visit local farm ponds. Not only is fishing good, but summer is the perfect time to scout out ponds and learn more about their geography, fish populations and other characteristics.

Bluegill and pumpkinseed are among the easiest of fish to catch in farm ponds. These prolific fish are opportunistic feeders and typically will bite throughout the day and in a variety of conditions. Nightcrawlers, earthworms, insect larvae, grasshoppers, small crickets, mosquito fish and other small baits are all effective for farm pond sunfish.

The simplest technique for catching farm pond sunfish utilizes a classic rig which consists of a simple live bait hook, bobber and earthworm or nightcrawler. These traditional baits are inexpensive, widely available and can often be found wild along the pond’s edge. A bobber-bait rig can be fished on spinning or baitcasting outfits or from a very simple cane pole.

Ponds with open shorelines and nearby areas of grass or low brush may offer a bonanza for sunfish as crickets, grasshoppers, moths, beetles and other insects land on the surface. When these conditions occur, excellent opportunities exist for fly fishermen to present lifelike flies or poppers to these fish. Sunfish anglers often survey farm ponds before fly fishing, in order to match dominant food sources.

Springs and streams sometimes feed into ponds, creating feeding areas for sunfish. These sources usually offer shallow areas, lined with vegetation and other cover where small minnows, insect larvae and other prey are found. Large sunfish will patrol these areas, waiting for food to be swept into accessible areas. Depending on the size and flow of these water sources, anglers may find that casting artificial lures, live baits or either technique will catch fish.

While fishing in farm ponds, anglers should be aware of other species that may be caught along with sunfish. Some farm ponds are stocked with species such as rock bass, largemouth bass, crappie, bullhead catfish, pickerel, perch, carp or other fish.