Spring Panfish Under a Bobber

[Banker]

I am hoping to get some answers on how to target spring panfish using the classic bobber setup. Calling all pros...

[slabslayer]

I use bobbers from Gapens.  They are super sensitive and I have several different sizes.  I like as small a bobber as I can when panfishing, and will match my bobber to the size jig I'm using.  If a crappie farts on my lure, I want that bobber to go down.  I will also use pinch-on weights just below the bobber to achieve the desired bouyancy of the bobber.  I don't use slip bobbers hardly at all, too many problems with the bobber tangling or the stop moving.  I'll use longer rods if i'm fishing deep.  My crappie rods vary in length from 4 1/2 feet to 20 feet long.  All this type of fishing with the super-long rods is done from a boat.  However the bobber weighting principle applies to shore fishing as well.  That way you can fish whatever jig you want and still feel the light biters on your bobber.  And another reason I use the stick bobbers is crappies feed above themselves, and sometimes they will push your bait up.  When this happens, a properly weighted stick bobber will lay flat on the surface, and now you know there's a crappie on it!!

[deerslayern]

MY setup for spring gills is a lite action rod from the bank, spooled with 4lb trilene max. never had any problems yet( hope i dont jinks myself) a split shot just heavy enough to submerge 3/4 of the smallest slip bobber, and pin head ice jigs tipped w/maggots.
      I target early weedbeds in shallow water between 6 fow and 10 fow. usually a great plan to start with. If theres any kind of wind I move to a smaller split shot.
      Most of the time I find it easier to catch gills in open water with ice rods all year long off a boat.

[buddachiefer]

I love fly fishing for them, nothing like catching fish on something you made yourself.