Fall Panfish fishing is one of the most rewarding ways to spend the last open-water days before winter ice sets in. As temperatures drop and the water cools, big bluegill and slab crappie feed heavily to prepare for the long, cold months ahead. For anglers in the ice belt, this is the perfect time to locate fish, fill your livewell, and—most importantly—mark productive locations for the coming ice season.
In this recent outing, the goal wasn’t to take fish home for dinner—it was to find the true giants, the kind of Fall Panfish that push the 10-inch mark and fight like they own the lake. Armed with a slip bobber, red worms, and a small jig tipped with a minnow imitation, the angler set out on a cool autumn day to hunt down trophy bluegills and crappie while scouting future first-ice hotspots.
Why Fall is Prime Time for Panfish
For many anglers, summer is the peak of panfish action, but seasoned fishermen know that fall can be even better—especially for size. As vegetation starts to thin and water temperatures drop, panfish school tighter and feed more aggressively.
In the north, this period is special because fish begin staging near their first-ice locations. These spots—weed lines, shallow bays, and structure close to deeper basins—will hold fish now and again under the ice just a few months later. For those who ice fish, finding them in fall means fewer holes to drill and more fish to catch come winter.
Starting Simple: Slip Bobber and Red Worms
The morning began with a tried-and-true approach—a slip bobber rigged with a whole red worm. This method shines in cooler water when fish are less spread out and more predictable. By adjusting the bobber stop, the angler could present the bait just above the weeds where hungry fish waited.
The first big bluegill of the day, a thick-bodied fish around nine inches, came early. It was cold to the touch, already in fall mode, and sitting in a shallow, weedy haunt—likely the same place it would be at first ice.
Shallow or Deep? Reading Fall Patterns
Fall panfish can be tricky. Depending on the lake, fish might be shallow near vegetation or still out over deep basins feeding before moving in. On this trip, the fish were clearly using shallower weed edges, which meant less time searching and more time catching.
A few casts later, another good bluegill inhaled the worm. Then another. The average size was solid—nine-inch fish that would make excellent table fare—but the real goal was finding giants.
Old Brutes and Aggressive Bites
Not every fish was a monster, but several “old brute” bluegills made an appearance. These were mature males with dark coloring and broad ear tabs, the kind of fish that make any angler’s day.
One thick nine-incher was followed by another fish that stretched the tape even further. While still not the elusive 10-inch-plus gill being hunted, each bite brought the angler closer to the goal.
The best part about Fall Panfish is their willingness to eat. In summer, they can be selective; in fall, they attack baits with little hesitation. That aggressiveness makes for fast action and sore wrists by day’s end.
A Surprise Guest – Crappie in the Mix
While reeling in slowly, the angler felt a subtle tug, even though the bobber hadn’t moved. It turned out to be a crappie—proof that other species were using the same spots. In the fall, crappie often stack up in the same areas as bluegill, especially near weed lines adjacent to deeper water.
This discovery prompted a switch to a small minnow-style bait to see if bigger crappie were present. The tactic paid off quickly, producing more slabs and confirming that both species were thick in the area.
Minnow Baits for Bigger Fish
After that first crappie, the angler began casting a 2.5-inch minnow imitation in a “bluegill flash” pattern. The presentation was simple: let the bait fall to the bottom, pop it once or twice, then retrieve slowly with short lifts.
One of the best bluegills of the day, just shy of the 10-inch mark, hit the bait on the lift. The fish had been glued to the bottom and shot up to crush the jig. This technique proved that Fall Panfish respond well to small, realistic baitfish patterns—especially when they’re in feeding mode.
Locating and Marking Spots for Ice Season
One of the main goals of this trip was scouting for the ice season. Any productive area now is worth marking with GPS waypoints for first ice. Fish often remain in these areas until winter locks up the lake, making them predictable targets in December and January.
The advice for anglers is simple: find fish now, mark the location, and return when there’s safe ice. You’ll save hours of drilling and searching later.
Stacked Crappie and Nonstop Action
As the day went on, the crappie bite got hotter. Schools were stacked in 10 feet of water, about five feet down, hovering over weeds. This mid-depth pattern is common in fall when both bluegill and crappie use vegetation for cover while feeding heavily.
Using the same minnow bait that worked earlier, the angler pulled in several more quality fish. If kept, they would have made an excellent meal, but this trip was all about the thrill of the fight.
Slip Bobbers Still Shine
Even with success on jigs, the slip bobber never got put away. In the fall, it’s a deadly setup for targeting suspended fish or presenting live bait precisely at a chosen depth. Drifting along weed edges with a red worm under a bobber brought several more big bluegill to the net, proving that sometimes the simplest approach is still the most effective.
The Monster Bluegill
The highlight of the trip came late in the day when a true giant slammed the minnow bait. This was no average gill—it was a legitimate 10-inch fish, possibly even a bit bigger, with a thick body and perfect proportions. The kind of Fall Panfish that anglers dream about.
Landing a fish like that on light 4-pound test requires patience and a steady hand. One flop in the net and the line could have broken, but this battle ended with the fish held up proudly for the camera before being released.
Tackle and Gear Tips for Fall Panfish
For anglers looking to duplicate this success, here’s the gear that worked:
- Rod/Reel: Light to ultralight spinning setup for sensitivity.
- Line: 4-pound monofilament or fluorocarbon.
- Live Bait: Red worms for slip bobber rigs.
- Artificial: 2.5-inch minnow imitations in natural patterns like bluegill flash or shiner.
- Jigs: Small 1/32 to 1/16 oz with a bait keeper to hold plastics securely.
- Electronics: GPS to mark productive spots for ice fishing.
Aggressive Fall Behavior – Use It to Your Advantage
One thing that stood out during this trip was just how aggressive the fish were. Both bluegill and crappie hit hard and often chased baits down. This is a behavior unique to fall—by winter, they’ll slow down and require more finesse.
Now is the time to fish fast and cover water. Don’t be afraid to use slightly larger baits than you would in summer, as fish are trying to bulk up before winter.
Why Marking Fall Spots Pays Off
The scouting done during fall sets the stage for a successful ice season. Fish holding on weed edges, shallow flats, or structure now will be in similar areas when safe ice forms. By marking these spots, anglers can return directly to high-percentage areas without guessing.
For ice anglers, this means less drilling, less spooking fish, and more time actually catching them.
Catch and Release for Future Giants
While Fall Panfish are excellent to eat, letting the biggest bluegill and crappie go helps maintain trophy populations. Large fish are the primary breeders, and releasing them ensures more giants in the future. This trip followed that principle—every big fish went back into the water to fight another day.
Closing Thoughts
This day of chasing giant bluegill and crappie proved once again why Fall Panfish fishing is so special. The combination of aggressive fish, beautiful autumn weather, and the chance to scout for ice season makes it a can’t-miss opportunity for serious anglers.
Whether fishing with a simple slip bobber and worm or casting small minnow baits, the key is finding the right spots and capitalizing on the fall feeding frenzy.
For more incredible fishing content, tips, and giant fish action, visit UltimateFishingVideos.com —your source for year-round angling excitement.