Crappie, perch and bluegill are all fish that you need not worry in regards to overfishing as all of these fish can be safely caught without threat to the ecosystem or fisheries. One of the most fun ways to catch these fish is using a fly rod with a popper. However, fishing poppers before their spawning season is usually frustrating but possible.

Time of day is always crucial as panfish will usually do most of their feeding on the surface in the morning and evening when light is low. If you tend to fly fish in the middle of the day, you may want to consider switching to a smaller, streamer fly like a brown, black or olive woolly bugger. You might find that fishing near cover is best as well especially if you are looking for bass.

Casting your line towards a bed of weeds is always a good decision as well as wade fishing or even fishing off of a dock. Anywhere you can get to that gives you access of those covered areas.

Using a 4x leader is recommended because it is ideal for all three of these fish and sometimes even the occasional bass. A fisherman should always be prepared for bass even if that is not what you are expecting. If you still want to go lighter, try for your rod to be a 3 weight with a 6x leader. Keep in mind this could be a problem when you are attempting to cast bigger flies or in situations where you are dealing with a bit of a breeze. This is where a 5 weight may be necessary.

When it comes to poppers, the fly fishing options are usually rather simple. If you are looking for panfish instead of just bass your flies should be small enough to accommodate the panfish’s tiny mouth. When you are popping with the intention of hooking panfish, their take could be quick if the panfish can’t get his mouth over the fly. The perfect bug used with a fly rod should be bright in color and have legs resembling a terrestrial bug’s legs.

Cast your line as close to your chosen cover as you can. Allow the rings it creates in the water to disappear before reeling in and casting again. This will typically be the time that you will catch a fish.

Panfishing is a great opportunity for a new angler to work on perfecting their technique. Not only that, but it is also a rather effective way to fill up a dinner table as well.