Panfish heavy lake

[Luna2406]

Fishing a new lake that has a crazy amount it panfish! I’ve had luck catching bass, super sharp “teeth” which makes me think the bass usually only eat fish. What do you guys do in lakes like this???

 

The bass seem to only want to pick soft plastic worms/paddletail off the bottom on the drop. They don’t go after any moving baits. Is this based on how they are used to getting food or more because it’s summertime?? 
 

Water is pretty clear, can see about 6ft. Grassy edges with some wood cover. 
 

 

[Bird]

Most of our lakes are heavily populated with bluegill but bass will always eat a worm.

BUT the biggest bass I've ever hooked was while fighting a bluegill on ultralight. 

[Luna2406]

Interesting and it would make sense. Part of me wants to throw bluegill color lures but then I think about what if they hit something that’s different because they aren’t used to seeing that. lol 

[casts_by_fly]

Summer time and 6’ of water visibility means wary fish usually, especially if it’s public water. Stick to what works and go catch them 

[GRiver]

“Match the hatch” or “Show them something different” Age old question….. Like how many licks does it take get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?, The world may never know. 
I usually try both, but I never know what to show them different. How different , just color, creature bait, different presentation??? Options are endless.

 

[Pat Brown]

Swim Jig/Swim Bait/Jointed swimbait/glide bait/wake bait/frog/popper/t rig beaver bait.

 

Dip stuff in chartreuse.

[Bankc]

My guess is it's due to the heat.  When the water gets warm like this, the bass go deeper and become more lethargic.  They still eat.  They just don't like to exert as much energy chasing down food, especially in the daytime. 

 

If the weather where you are is anything like the weather here, we're about a month ahead of schedule.  Right now it's near the end of June, but nature is acting like we're near the end of July.  It seems like everything has been happening three to four weeks before normal this year.  Even the flowers seem to agree. 

[slonezp]

Assuming you don't want to use live bait, finesse around the panfish haunts.  The bass are around the panfish looking for easy, unsuspecting prey. 

[HOV02]

I don't have to go that far back, just to the last trip up the Roanke River, above Hardy Ramp. throwin 1/16 oz twistertails, 4lb line. we caught 11 different species! one of those was an 11 inch Brown Trout! LMB, SMB, crappie, white an yellow perch, small stripers, walleye, channel cat, carp, an brim.

[Munkin]

If you want to get rid of the bluegill throw some flathead catfish in there.

 

Allen

[HOV02]

I don't have to go that far back, just to the last trip up the Roanke River, above Hardy Ramp. throwin 1/16 oz twistertails, 4lb line. we caught 11 different species! one of those was an 11 inch Brown Trout! LMB, SMB, crappie, white an yellow perch, small stripers, walleye, channel cat, carp, an brim.