Topwater Panfish? Yes! Super Fun Way to Catch Panfish in Early Summer

When you think of going after panfish, chances are you think of a small crappie jig, a clip-on bobber, and some bait. While this is probably one of the more popular methods of catching these fish, it’s not the only way to do it. One really fun way to go out and get your limit for a fish fry is to try tossing topwater lures. 

There are a few reasons why you should be throwing topwater lures in early summer for panfish. The first is related to their spawning season. Bluegill and other panfish typically spawn in the late spring and early summer when water temperatures hit the mid-60 degree mark. When they’re spawning, males will usually be very territorial and protective of their spawning area, reactively striking anything they see as a threat. That, paired with the fact that they’re going to be spawning in shallow waters, makes topwater lures a great choice.

Another reason topwater can work well is that these fish are naturally looking up towards the surface of the water this time of year. Some of their main sources of food are insects, and in the early summer, lots of them are going to be all over the surface of the water. If they’re already looking up for food, then a topwater lure can be the perfect thing to show them.

When it comes to actually finding these panfish, there are a few great places you can look. The first thing you should look for is anywhere that you can actually see their spawning beds. These will be small circular indents in shallow water (around 3 to 6 feet). Weed edges, lily pads, docks, and other similar structures can be places that hold a ton of fish as well.

If you’re not finding them in these areas, try looking for submerged timber and other structures in slightly deeper water, as they may push down a bit.

While you’re covering these areas, it’s also important that you pay attention to the surface of the water. When panfish are actively feeding or defending their spawning areas, they’ll be easy to notice. On calm days, you’ll want to keep an eye out for small disturbances on the surface of the water where panfish are rising. This is especially key if you notice them coming up and feeding on insects, as that’s your best indicator that you should be throwing a topwater lure. 

We know where the panfish should be this time of year, and also how to tell if they’re around. But what about which topwater lures are going to work best to catch panfish this time of year? Here are a few you should take with you: 

One of the best options you can choose for panfish is a small popper. These are micro versions of what you’d normally see anglers using for topwater bass fishing. They create a small splash on the surface of the water and create vibrations that mimic insects and other small forage.

When you’re fishing a popper, cast it near cover and let it sit for a few seconds. Then, give it a pop to create some commotion and retrieve it slowly back to you, mixing in pops and pauses the whole way. This method is going to give the panfish a chance to locate your lure and strike on the pause.

Another solid option for topwater panfish is a small prop bait. These baits have a small prop on them that creates sound and disturbance on the surface, while also adding in some flash under the water. These baits tend to call fish in from a further distance than a normal popper might. These are best fished when you know the panfish are active in the area, but you’re not seeing them actively feeding on the surface.

When fishing a pop bait, you can either cast it near cover and do a straight retrieve, or you can mix in some pauses. It’s not a bad idea to try a few different speeds and cadences to dial in exactly what the panfish are looking for on any given day.

If you want to cover a lot of water fast, it’s a good idea to try a micro plug for panfish. These are just a smaller version of the classic plugs you’d use for bass fishing. You can cast these out and use the walk the dog retrieve as you bring it back to you.

While these don’t create as much commotion as a popper or a prop bait will, you can cover more water faster to figure out where the fish are and determine how active they’re feeding. Even if they don’t hit the plug, you can get some info on the fish and switch to a different topwater lure that’s more suited for how they’re acting.