Panfish report

[bglaeser]

Today I went spearing on an inland lake in Kenosha County. The water was pretty clear for this lake compared to mid-summer of last year, but the fish were almost nowhere to be found. After about 40 minutes of searching I finally found two bluegill in 12 inches of water on a sandy beach. By this time my speargun was no longer "at the ready" and the fish made good their escape. I bet in the next day or two the panfish head into the shallows though. Anyone else have a panfish report?
~Brian

 

[Whopperhead]

What Lake was it? Just wondering because I go to Paddock Lake often. (Family). the Lake I was in last week- I didn't notice too many Panfish in the shallows. Any for that matter, I saw a couple at about 10 feet down that was it.

-----Scott

 

[bglaeser]

Montgomery Lake. Have you panfished Paddock before? I have only been there once before (a month ago) and nothing was there. I bet in a week or less the bluegills will be under the docks.
~Brian

 

[Whopperhead]

I've "Fished" in the cannel (the loop) but was thinking in the north west corner might be a good spot- as long as I don't get run over by jet skis. That's the bad thing about that lake- But I was catching and saw lots of Fish in the Loop.

-------Scott

 

[bglaeser]

Don't they put out "slow no-wake" buoys later on? I was looking at Paddock Lake as a possible spearfishing lake (I only do panfish) later this year (soon). Do you know if it is illegal to swim in the "loop"? I would think it would be considered a "boat channel". If you want to get together sometime for spearfishing there, let me know. I bet all the people's boat docks would hold some jumbo panfish.
~Brian

 

[Whopperhead]

Brian~

not sure if it is illegal or not. Will find out. I've got 2 family members who have houses on the channel, so if we could dive it we could go in off their docks. They do put in "slow no-wake" and they enforce it too. I'll send the DNR an email and ask him about the channel. I ended buying one of those trident spear tips. So, I'm eager to try it out. I'll let you know what I find out.

---Scott

 

[Pinggene]

The Outlet in Madison held a ton of panfish today - I did not spear, but you can see them around the Musky in the photo below. Some of the gills seemed to be nicer size. You actually need to look very close at the photo...there was not a wave on the water. All the black/gray in the water is bluegill, etc...look close & you'll see them. Must be 200-300 in this photo alone.

 

[bglaeser]

Sadly, Kenosha has no "outlet". I guess we'll have to wait a week or so.
~Brian

 

[Whopperhead]

Went to Lawrence Lake on 5-2-07 and alot of the Panfish are in the shallows. I was planning on making my way back to the stumps from the boat launch (about 500 yards) and only made it half way- was side tracked by all the gills, perch and Bass. It was alot of fun seeing all the fish! I also saw 1 Muskie and 1 walleye- no carp. But The Carp are usually down by the stumps and the shallows at the far west end of the lake.

---------Scott

 

[Whopperhead]

How's this for some Panfish! The OUTLET 5-8-07 before noon.


--------Scott

 

[bglaeser]

Well I finally got to go in the water for panfish. The fish have definately moved into the shallows now. I got to try out my "trident" tip on my speargun. It didn't work as I had hoped. It blew the first crappie I shot at apart and unusable. So I only pulled back on one rubber band and then shot a nice perch. Unfortunately it also blew the head off, but I'll still be able to fillet it. It seems that I'll have to go back to my single tip or use the pole-spear. Probably the polespear for inland panfish.
~Brian

 

[colt.45]

Blew it in half?!

 

[bglaeser]

Well, yes, but we are only talking about a crappie which was originally 7 - 8 inches long.

 

[Whopperhead]

I've only used my trident speartip once- It worked alright- it's on a one banned JBL sawed-off.

------Scott

 

[bglaeser]

Hmmmmm.... Both shots were "head on". Maybe I'll try it again from the side.

 

[bglaeser]

Scott-- What type of speargun were you using again?

 

[Jon]

I like the Hawaiian flopper on my gun. For the size fish we go for around here I've found that the smaller the point, and thinner the shaft, the better the filet at the end of the day.

Jon

 

[Whopperhead]

Brian~ It's a JBL D6 mini carbine. Single sling. And I put a Trident tip on it.

JBL D6 Mini Carbine Speargun (D-6) from LeisurePro.com

here's a pic from LeisurePro.com

---------Scott

 

[bglaeser]

Thanks Scott. I've been looking at that one.

Jon... what is a Hawaiian flopper?

 

[Whopperhead]

5-14-07 Wood Lake, Westfield (Coloma), WI Vis on Sat was great 20' plus - today only about 10' - but LOTS OF Fish! It would be hard to get a BOAT in the lake but a Canoe or Kayak would work good. Didn't shoot any Panfish today- Was looking for Carp only today. never found any :head.

---------Scott