Thinking About Getting a Panfish Mold

[gstott]

I mostly bass fish, and as such, all my molds are geared towards bass.  I do however on occasion fish for yellow perch, bluegill and sometimes crappie.  I was looking at the 1.75" crappie carrot or the 1.75" small fry.  Does anyone have an opinion as to which they like better or would recommend, or are they equally effective baits for this?

[BareKnuckleJigs]

That 1.75" Small Fry is popular, but I'm a fan of that 2" Glider.  The 2" Glider is a versatile bait...Grub, Minnow, and even a Craw "in a pinch".  I wouldn't hesitate to apply it as a Leech, as well.

[gstott]

That's a good point, it would be more versatile.  I wonder if maybe even the 1.5" would work well for me since I would use it a lot for bluegill.

[pjmcla]

gstott -    For a first pan fish mold the 1.75" Small fry would be my choice, especially if most of my fishing was vertically jigged or under a cork.  The tail quiver and body shape and size is spot on for the pan fish you mention.  The other baits mentioned are all good baits.  I am just partial to the 1.75" fry.  Most baits used in this area for crappie / bream have a quiver tail of some sort.   

[412BaitCo]

The three inch trout worm would be a great start for panfish not to mention I hear it does quite well for bass also!

[ctom]

For shooting ease and pure fish catching productivity I'd say the 1.75" Small fry in Caney's line-up. A 2" Carrot would also be a sweet one.

[gstott]

Thanks everyone for the responses.  I do like the look of that quiver tail on the small fry.  I will also be using it with a crappie pole, dipping it around the brush in the spring, and I'm thinking of rigging up a downsized dropshot setup for panfish.  I think it would do really well with either of these.  I'll probably end up getting the small fry.  Although I keep looking at the 4.5" dragon tail.  I must resist the temptation to get more bass stuff 

[andrewlamberson]

I've caught a lot of big bluegills on the 1.75" small fry...and it's one of my favorite crappie baits.

I like to drop shot it on the VMC spin shot...the smallest size 8. I think the key is to use the lightest weight you can on the bottom of the rig...I often just use a small split shot.

Another super effective method is to pitch it on a tine line on the lightest jig head you can cast, and let it fall slowly through the water column. Straight line...watching for that twitch of a hit on the fall. I sometimes put a really small ice fishing bobber (teardrop) on the line to help see the hit.

For perch and crappie, rigging in on a small safety spin type blade (like a "Mr. Twister") really seems to call in the yellow perch and white bass who might be looking for a little more bulk.

Speaking of bulk...you can make the bait bigger..by dipping the head a couple/three times....you end up with a Fat Fry!

[Botanophilia]

I don't know that I'd get it as a first panfish mold, but the 1.75" croaker is awesome.  I had a couple samples that we used on a fishing trip last year in the pm as the fish were coming into the shallows to feed.  Rigged on a #6 (I think, maybe #4... can't remember) hook, both weightless and with a split shot, we nailed bluegills, crappie, and rockbass.  And I don't care if they're a crap fish, big rock bass are FUN!

[BareKnuckleJigs]

Botanophilia, those Rock Bass, I think You're talking about what I call Goggle-Eye?  If so, Bro...I grew up eating those...they taste like they smell!  Like Dog Food!  Delicious!  Just kidding.  They (Goggle Eye) are good to eat.

Sorry to Thread-Jack!  ...I'm a terrifying....thread terrorist...

[BareKnuckleJigs]

And Gstott, roger on'na Small Fry.  My "favor" towards the 2" Glider is geared more towards Sacalait/Crappie...the 1.5" would probably be better suited to Perch/Bream/Bluegill types...but, seems like the Small Fry's popularity is driven by it's effectiveness, so that would likely be a wise choice.  I'm just kinda biased.  You should see the baits I've shot in the 2" Glider mold between Friday and Sunday...MAN I must have issues.

[Billmo]

Just my .02..

I would go with the 1.75 fry.  We use it here in the left coast for crappie, blue gill, and trout. Dont under estimate its size.. that little bait has caught many a big fish.

[Botanophilia]

I think so BKJ.  Random pic from wikipedia. 
They might be good to eat, I wouldn't know.  I've heard they're a PITA to clean tho.  They do make really cool aquarium fish.  Kind of like an oscar that can handle cold water.

[fasteddyc]

I fish perch quite regularly but especially in the spring and the fall. Generally, I use a 2.5 to 3 inch bait, rigged with the bottom one on a heavier ( usually a 3/8 ounce jig ) and one or two more baits either tied on further up the line ( either off a swivel or directly from the line) on a 4 to 6 inch flourocarbon dropper line or directly on the line a la drop shot. Have used twister tail grubs and minnow imitations. Just started pouring baits recently and purchased 3 inch skinny carrot molds, which with eyes attached make a superb minnow imitation, which is the main forage fish for perch. In fact the bait of choice for most perch fishermen is live minnows but my experience has been that perch just hammer plastic imitations. Believe it or not I've even had perch hit a chatterbait. All in all your bait choices will produce but you don't have to limit yourself to really small baits. Hope this is useful.

[gstott]

Thanks for the replies everybody.  All those baits sound great, but I will probably end up getting the small fry. 

I agree, big rock bass can be fun.  I grew up in Connecticut, and I have a lot of fond memories involving them.

It's true, I have caught perch on a lot of large baits while bass fishing.  Every year I catch some nice ones on jerkbaits and cranks.  My personal best was on a 4 inch drop shot worm while bass fishing.


I caught another good one on a 4" hula grub.


Still, for all around panfish versatility I think the small fry will be my best bet.  Though I guess I have caught bluegill on large baits too.

That small glider does look like a cool bait, and I may get one in the future.  I do have a 2.5" reaper in an open pour, so it's kind of similar.  It catches me a lot of bass in addition to panfish.

That mini croaker sounds like a ton of fun too.  I love light tackle bass fishing and I think that would be perfect for it.