[blu1fin]

As things heat up, I thought a little recap of the season's panfish action may be in order:

Fished some pre-spawn and post-spawn perch on the Big Lake for some of the biggest perch I have ever seen:



Even got the wife out there for some action:



Next up was crappies, instead of heading South, found a new honey hole out West. The crappies were so big they were eating cranksbaits (so were the bass, catfish and giant gills - yet another story):



First string photo in years. All post-spawn fish but still felt a little guilty:



Next up were post-spawn gills on local lakes; totally missed the spawning bite on the local ponds which is always a favorite:



Released the bigger fish and kept a single meal's worth of 8" fish:



I'll include some smallies as they are part of the sunfish family and are just plain mean:



Fished a lot of big smallies this season and loved every minute of it:

[DANCES WITH FISH]

Those are some absolutely beautiful fish there. Great photos. Thanks for sharing them with us.

[twade]

Every single species you posted was impressive on it's own. Great summary.

[Gary Grunauer]

blu1fin

nice pics and fabulous stringer of crappie....was that out of publis waters or a private pond? Can't imagine they came out of a heavily pressured lake.

Once again, very nice pictures.

[Crappie Professor]

awesome slabs there..!!! couple quick questions....what type of cranks and what speed worked for you ???

[Any Luc]

Crappie Professor,
Isn't that about the nicest photo of a stringer of specks that you ever did see?

[GETDANET1]

BLU 1 fin,
great pics and catches. Looks like your first catch was a keeper too!

[MartyK]

If I can borrow a phrase, HOLY COW

[wsj_outdoorsman]

Now steve not to belittle your great talents at all.........but, wsj was wondering a bit if your lovely wife may have out fished you on the big ones.

Thanks for the great pictures, always enjoy your stuff.

[chrisisfishin]

great catch!!!! i couldnt have said it better then twade all species were impressive awesome post

[blu1fin]

Thanks.

Crappie Prof. - My best crappie crankbaits have typically been Shad Raps, Flicker Shads, Yo-Zuri Mini-cranks and CC Shads. Rattle Trap style baits work well casting at times, as do bettle spins and traditional Roadrunner type baits but I typically troll shad style lures at 1.4-1.8mph to find scattered post-spawn fish. FYI - There is a good crappie trolling bite that sets up this time of year on Petenwell.

WSJ - Without a question, my wife ALWAYS outfished me, and I would have it no other way.

[DOUBLE D]

got to each me how to take pictures like that, those fish all look enormous.
dd

[Popeye]

Denny, that's easy. First, catch enormous fish

[sea nile]

Denny, The first thing you do is get some photoshop softwear for your computer. It does wonders to enhance pictures. They all look like world records to me.

[digitalbluecat]

Excellent pics of some really hunky fish! Must be one heck of a honey hole.

[Crappie Professor]

blu1fin: thank's for the info....and a big thank's for sharing the photo's...



Any Luc : only wish would be....to be there smillin"

[GETDANET1]

Jim, have you swallowed that lump in your throat yet???

[chuckt]

Those are some really beautiful fish. The smallies must have put up a terrific fight. I thought I was catching big perch in the upper Mississippi but the one in the photo makes mine look like dinks.
May I ask what bait is taking those large sunfish? Is artificial always the best way to go?

[Valleye]

I have to say excellent for the report and pictures! I was used to your ice fishing stories and your adventure with exotics in Florida. What should we look forward from you in the upcoming issues of IF magazine?

As always your reports are great with alot of great pictures to go along with!!

[robvquest]

Great Fish!! twade did put it best