First Good Panfish Trip of the Year!

[Jim Gronaw]

Okay, after a string of 65 degree days I thought it was about time to head out and see if the gills were biting in one of my local ponds, Heck, the ice was just off only 8 days ago, but the following weather has been way above normal. Could they be biting? Yesssss!

I started off with a 1/100 th oz thread-bodied hairjig, like Ledhead and Jim Simkins use for those bruiser California gills. Floated it on a very light bobber and let the wind drift it with a piece of garden worm as a tipping bait. Later, I tossed a 1/64 oz brown craft hair jig I tied and tipped it as well. Caught fish on both the bobber rig and casting without... used 2 lb mono for the first time and really liked the 'feel' of the free-falling jig with out the bobber and the feather touch strike from the gills.

Managed to pick up some very nice 9- inch gills throughout the afternoon and evening hours as the temps went to 70 degrees. The fish were actually very near the surface and appeared to be feeding on some kind of a hatch just below the surface. All toll, I got about 40 gills ( kept 14 for my upcoming filleting class ) three bass and a pair of bonus slab crappie, which I released. Fish of the day was that dandy 14 inch crappie that hit my hairjig on a molasses-slow fall.

All in all, it was my best day this year and a real welcome after this crazy winter we have had. One slight bummer...got my truck hung up in the farmers field and had to get towed out by the tractor. Could be worse!

[Dave Hanks]

Interested in Jim Simkins jigs.Would like to apply his ideas to summer fishing in Michigan.Thanks,Dave

[Magnolia Rick]

sound like a good day fishing Any day fishing is a good dad. Nice fish Jim

[Greg McWilliams]

Jim, You da MAN. Good to see you are in fish again. Keep em coming.!!!!!

[John Sheehan]

Great day Jim!Nice fish photos! I'll be using some of your critters soon.