What I will usually fish with and in on my 2015 panfish quest

[Andy is OptiMystic]

I will take 3 rods - a UL, a light rod and an emergency backup (yes, there is such a thing as a fishing emergency). So I will only have 2 rods out for fishing at any given time.

The UL will almost always be my primary rod, but I will usually rig both. The light rod is light but short and has some backbone and 10# Nanofil (or similar if I replace it; small diameter but strong). If I don't have a specific plan for the light rod, it will probably have a medium sized lipless crankbait or a Fluke on it for investigating "what the heck was that?" splashes. I am concentrating on chasing panfish, but our relationship won't be exclusive. 

I will carry my tackle in a Plano soft side Crappie Bag. It has 4 smallish utility boxes. Two are dedicated, one to each rod, with the things I will almost always carry. I labeled them for easy access. The other two will either be empty or have items specific to something I am trying on this outing. As an aside, I have other boxes and lots more tackle for a lot of different types of fishing. This box is for this quest. The bag has two side pockets. Right now, one has a stringer and the other has a container of bits of Gulp worm precut to tip jigs.

The UL box has a lot of hair jigs, some plastic, hooks, a couple of bobbers, a few small weights and a few miniature lipless cranks.

The light box has a couple of medium size lipless cranks, a couple of small lipped cranks, a few blades (may not always; those are part of the first outing plan), plastic and various rigs for the plastic.

I usually fish out of a kayak. I have a small cheap plastic one and I am building a fiberglass one that will mostly be used in large lakes and down at the coast. The plastic one loads in my truck in seconds and can be dragged over rocks without giving me ulcers. It will be my primary panfish platform. I have a small front deck I cobbled together that holds a portable fish finder (very basic B/W - where's the bottom, where's the fish, how many/big, what's the temp) a rod holder and has a small open space to set the crappie bag to get it out of my lap or have a surface to cut something. There is a rod holder behind me and I can carry a few things in the back hatch or on top, but that will be lunch, cooler, etc. Not fishing gear.

I have an anchor I will take as needed; I rarely use it as I am often drifting rivers or in depths where it is difficult.

I have a Flow Troll minnow bucket that I will take as needed; I rarely use it except when after catfish.

I have a measuring tray that I need to start taking regularly. I often release and will need a photo if I release a certificate size fish.

I have a good phone case and I need to start keeping it out so I can take pictures (though I also have a waterproof camera I may start keeping handy) and record spot locations.

Sometimes I will take a flyrod; there are a few months where poppers are just too much fun. But I have noticed the largest panfish are usually not caught on top.

That is where things stand as I start the year.

[Jim Gronaw]

Sounds like a plan!