Using Live Bait for Panfish

By: FishUSA Staff

June 11, 2025

Panfish are often considered the most accessible fish to catch, yet they can also be surprisingly finicky. While artificial baits like Berkley Gulp! Alive! Minnows or Gulp! Alive! Maggots offer excellent alternatives when live bait isn’t available, nothing beats the real thing when conditions call for it. FishUSA Product Specialist Matt West shares his ten best tips for getting the most out of live bait when targeting panfish.

Size Matters Most

Always Tip Your Jig

Don’t Skimp on Bait

Double Tail Hook Your Minnow

Don’t Overlook Red Worms

Use Perch Eyes for Perch

Try Grasshoppers and Crickets

Match the Hatch

Use Attractants

Keep Your Bait Fresh

Size Matters Most

Choosing the right bait is important, but selecting the correct size is critical. A three-inch minnow might get attention, but a smaller bait often triggers more bites. Just don’t go too small—you may end up attracting fish that are too small to keep.

Always Tip Your Jig

Jig fishing is one of the most effective ways to catch panfish. While jigs like the VMC Nymph and Custom Jigs & Spins Soft Plastic catch fish on their own, adding a maggot or waxworm to the hook usually increases bite frequency.

Don’t Skimp on Bait

Anglers often worry about using too much bait, but filling a hook with waxworms, maggots, or mealworms can create a more appealing presentation that draws in more strikes.

Double Tail Hook Your Minnow

Hooking a live minnow twice near the tail causes it to struggle and stay alive longer—an irresistible sight for slab crappie and perch. Use a small jighead like the Wapsi Fly Tying Jig Head for extra color and motion. Alternatively, a small hook with split shot works as well.

Don’t Overlook Red Worms

Small red worms are classic panfish bait for a reason. While often overlooked by experienced anglers, they can outperform more exotic options on any given day, especially for bluegills and perch.

Use Perch Eyes for Perch

This old-school method still works. When the bite slows, removing an eye from a caught perch and tipping it on a jig—especially a Hali Sukkula—can reignite the action fast.

Try Grasshoppers and Crickets

This topwater method may not yield the highest numbers, but it's among the most exciting. Watching bluegills strike surface insects like grasshoppers and crickets is an excellent way to engage kids and experience thrilling takes in calm, shallow water.

Match the Hatch

Use baitfish that are naturally found in the body of water you're fishing. Matching local forage improves your success rate, especially when conditions are tough or fishing pressure is high.

Use Attractants

Enhance your live bait with attractants like Berkley PowerBait Attractant. For a wider area of effect, try using BaitCloud to create a scent trail and pull in curious panfish from surrounding areas.

Keep Your Bait Fresh

Freshness is key. Fish respond better to lively bait or recently deceased offerings. Store maggots and waxworms in the fridge between uses, and keep your minnows well-aerated if using them on future trips. Shop Our Aerators and Bubblers!

Live bait remains one of the most effective tools in the panfish angler's arsenal. Whether you're fishing for crappie, bluegill, or perch, these tips will help increase your success and keep the action steady throughout the day.

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