Panfish Fly Fishing, Fun with the Lightweights

"Bigger than a mouthful is a waste", no truer words were ever uttered, especially when it comes to fish that are good to eat. Panfish, so named because they are small enough to always fit in a pan, make up some of the most desired game fish in the world.

Who can't remember going out looking for sunfish on a Saturday morning, no books to study, and a summer breeze moving your spincasting line around as you walked down to the lake? Panfish exist in virtually every county in America, whether naturally or by introduction, and with their spunky style of fighting the line and equally great taste after they are caught, are wonderful for the novice or expert angler to pursue.

The most common of these panfish, of course, is the popular sunfish. Although half or less the size of a smallmouth bass, these little dynamos put up an fight that is second to none, and since they can breed in cold or warm fresh waters, have expanded to the entire continental United States. Many local man made lakes are also stocked with these fish, to provide urbanites with a chance to experience the thrill of angling.

Light tackle is perfectly acceptable, from small spinning setups to fly rods, and even though the fish are small, they will take on larger lures and bait meant for bass with ease. Z-ray and Red Devil spoon are among the most popular lures for panfish, along with salmon eggs for bait.

Don't look down at the size of the panfish, what they may lack in pounds, they make up for in fight and in taste.