Catching the Pans

Catching the Pans
By Chris Kenyon

Outdoor enthusiasts are a very dedicated group of individuals with many interests. Most have a particular activity that takes precedent when time allows to partake in their sports. It could be turkey hunting, whitetails with a bow, trout and salmon on Lake Ontario, or rabbit hunting.
However, when I decide to feature pan fishing as a subject matter in stories or articles, the response from readers is incredible. Certainly, the reason for this feedback is the numbers. I am sure there are more anglers plying waters for panfish then trolling the lake for trout and salmon. No doubt it's preference, nevertheless economics also decides where you spend your time. Not all can afford the expenditures needed for serious Lake Ontario fishing. Many anglers don't even have access to a boat.
Panfishing eliminates the money issue. Any person with a small rod and reel, and a large desire can dip a lure in the water and pull out a sunnie. Add a small boat to the mix and you can fish practically anywhere for pans.
The best way to start your fishing experience, whether young or old is with the following species; Yellow perch, sunfish, blue gills, crappies and rock bass. Those are the basic pan fish....smaller varieties. They are located virtually everywhere there is water. Most are easily caught and are excellent tasting. I would venture to guess that perch is the sweetest tasting fish of all. Maybe, but then again, blue gills certainly have a sweet flavor. Take your pick, they're both delicious. Because of the abundance of pan fish and the fact that they are easily caught, makes this form of fishing ideal for the youngsters. Children's attention span is not long enough for pike fishing. But if they catch a blue gill within minutes of wetting their worm, you have them "HOOKED" on fishing.
The largest family of pan fish is the sunfish. This family includes both largemouth and smallmouth bass, but they are considered a game fish. This is primarily because of their size and their ability to let you know that they wish to remain in the water. The most common sunfish in our area is the pumpkinseed. Next would be the blue gill. These fish are small, ranging in size from 5 to 8 inches. They are voracious eaters and will consume any type of natural bait. Although they won't fight for long, they will give you short burst of energy, which is very exciting for the beginner. Sunfish are very tasty, but because of their size you'll need to catch quite a few for an average meal. Most often this will not be a problem. They are everywhere. To locate sunfish, keep in mind that they prefer warm water. They are close to shore near weeds or lily pads. A good example would be the south end of Sodus Bay (Bay Bridge), the south end of Port Bay, and the entire area of Blind Sodus Bay.
Rock bass, another member of the sunfish family are excellent fighting fish. They prefer cooler water and rocky bottom lakes. They can be caught with spinners or natural bait. I've caught more rock bass with artificial bait the natural. Yellow perch, sometimes known as Jack perch are the top shelf of the pan fish. Perch are a schooling fish, so chances are if you catch one, you will be able to bring home plenty. They like worms and can be found in warm weedy water. The Jack perch move out of the bays during spring, and can be caught along the shores of Lake Ontario. You can fish for them in 4 to 8 feet of water, concentrating on shoals and larger boulders.
When fishing for smaller fish, use lighter gear. I would suggest a 5 foot ultra light rod with 4 pound test line. The outfit should weigh no more 7-1/2 ounces. There is a large selection of spinning reels. You can choose just about any brand, just keep it light. You may also choose a longer rod for more action. Bass Pro's Micro-lites are excellent rods that are modestly priced. The 7 footer is an ideal set-up using 4 pound Fireline.
For the kids you can pick up a complete kit, like Zebco, for under twenty dollars. You can also fish with a fly rod, try 6 ft-6 inch rod. A matching single action aluminum reel that weighs about 2 ounces should make this feather light and ideal for pan fish. Hook size should range from #8 to #12. You can use worms, crickets, flies, spikes grasshoppers; just about any natural bait is effective. If you use spinners keep them between 1/8 and 1/10 ounce range. Use slow spinners like a rooster tail. Probably, the most popular lure is the jig. You can purchase complete kits of jigs with tubes for under $30. Try the crappie colors, and keep the jigs between 1/32 and 1/8 ounces. Put a torpedo bobber on a light jig and you'll have no difficulty casting. Fishing for critters that fit in a pan can be a rewarding experience because the action is usually non-stop. Find shallow, warm water where there is an abundance of vegetation and you will be guaranteed a mess of fish. Take the little ones with you. The excitement of the first caught fish can be shared by both parents and youngsters.
Chris Kenyon is an Outdoor Columnist for The Sodus Record-Sun. He is a member of NYSOWA and The Outdoor Recreational Coordinator for Wayne County Tourism. He is also a also freelance writer for several publications.