High Hopes For Upcoming Weekend

Looking into this weekend, I have high hopes for pan fishing action. The water temp is slowly rising and the fish should turn on. For perch, I would concentrate on the Bay front. Good spots to try early would be off the Condos, Liberty Park, Cherry Street, and Dobbins Landing. Go early to grab a good spot. Use lively minnows and move around if the bite is slow. Sometimes by simply moving a few yards can create good success. The perch schools move around in the bay and where they hit one day can change quickly the next day. Many times it is good to try a new spot away from the crowds. Try not just to follow the crowds and explore new piers and access points. For crappie, try off Presque Isle Bay. Points to try include The Marina, Misery Bay, Long Pond, and The Stinkhole. Use light line, small sharp hooks, and have an arsenal of baits. Unlike perch, crappie can be finicky. I have out fished others simply because I had a variety of baits to throw at them. Suggestions include small plain hook tipped with a minnow, mister twisters, small ice fishing jig heads, and hair jigs. My best productive colors usually tend to be white or chartreuse. Fish under a bobber and remember crappie are usually suspended so you don't want to be on the bottom. I usually only use a foot or so of lead under the bobber and have great success. Also remember to fish structure. Find the wood and heavy vegetation. Crappies are very elusive. They tend to turn on and off on a whim. So don't give up. I have been there in late morning when the sun starts to warm the surface water and all of a sudden they get active. And when you get one, you tend to fill a bucket because they are a tight schooling fish. For bluegill, try all long Presque Isle. I like to use an ultra light with 2 or 4 lb test. Slab bluegill are a great battle on ultralight tackle and usually are very receptive to hitting at all times of the day. Good action and nice eating for the pan. I like to use small minnows, jigs tipped with maggots, red worms, or small Mepps or Roostertails. So this weekend give pan fishing a try and see how the action is.