The summer fishing season offers many opportunities for the whole family to get outdoors and catch loads of fish together. The fish are popular targets for anglers young and old, these fish have a hungry appetite and tend to school near beaches and shallow water. Crappie, bluegill, pumpkin, green, redear, and many other species are all different types of sunfish. Some people love to catch and eat their loads and these tasty fish, while others prefer catch and release. There are many ways to catch sunfish, but the drop rig shot is my personal favorite.
One of my favorite rigs for simple sunfish fishing is the drop bait rig. Popular among largemouth and smallmouth-bass anglers, drop shot fishing also works wonders on bluegill, redear, and other sunfish. This arrangement allows the snake to suspend the bait in one step, twitching the rod end and raised to give action, but allows the bait to return to its original position after the movement stops.
The basic rig for a bullet drop rig is shown as follows. The hook is tied in line, but not at the bottom, as in most conventional rigs. But the hook is tied to the top about 1-2 feet from the bottom line. At the bottom, the weight is added. The split cast can be simply tied, or tied to a heavier weight. This anchor keeps the food at the bottom, but is found deeper above the weeds and debris in the warmest ponds.
Usually, bass anglers will lure various types of plastic fishing lures, freshwater fishing lures will be watered in a drip rig. But in the sole fish I prefer to have added nightshade, or whole absinthe or wax. Red worms are also popular baits of choice. Two or three pieces of smaller bait or one big bait on a small hook is how I set it up. Some people like using plastic worms and plastic hooks, which are sold by places like Bass Pro Shops or Cabelas, both online and in their retail locations. Power Berkely skinned plastic worms (small red ones for trout) are also effective with this method. Then, having driven these eager bites near the proper place, I will keep a tight line, and slightly lift the tip of the rod. Usually, occasional twitches with long pauses works the best for me. However, in dark water or light conditions, I will start with a lot of fast rods, then switch to slow rods once I start getting bites. Have a tight line and the bite should feel like a little taps and pulls when the sunfish take the bait. Set the hook when you feel a good medium drag and adjust to reel em in.
Panfish are easy to catch and most can be caught with a drop lead rod. It’s a little more difficult to set up than a worm and bobber rig, but I have more control when the rig drops. Go out to your local pond and try to get some fishing in this stream! Let’s enjoy!
