by C.S.Alexis

Created on: May 10, 2008

Pan fish are the best catch in my book because they are the best to eat. I love to go fishing and I have found myself trying to land all kinds of fish from all kinds of water ways but, my first fishing experience and the one I always return to is pan fishing. The smaller fish that we call pan fish are the best tasting, the easiest to catch and the easiest to clean and cook. This type of fishing also requires the least amount of money spent on equipment.

The great thing about pan fishing is that it does not matter if you are seven years old or seventy years old, anyone who can make it to the fishing hole can catch these smaller fish. I was about seven the first time I dropped a line in the water with a big fat worm on my hook and landed my first bluegill. I know that if I reach the age of seventy I will continue to fish for those sunfish and any others that are in the water and ready to take my bait. This kind of fishing requires the least expensive fishing tackle as well. My first trip was fishing with a cane pole and a line rigged with a hook, a bobber and a small split-shot sinker.

I have since learned that you actually can catch pan fish in very shallow water using a simple piece of fishing line, a small hook and almost anything for bait. I like to use crickets for bluegill but, they will bite on grasshoppers, worms, minnows, small jigs,a bit of bacon, and many make shift items. I have used french fries, jelly beans, bits of colored plastic wrapping from bread wrappers, or a small bit of tin foil. I also like to use ultra light fishing equipment to make the fight more fun. They make very small jigs and fishing poles that make that little pan fish feel like a whale on the end of a super sensitive rod.

Pan fish can be quickly scaled with a spoon or filleted to remove the meat from the bone. The later is suggested for those who are not accustomed to eating pan fish. After you clean them up it is a short time to prepare them for the table. Pan fish can be cooked almost any way but a word of caution. These small fish usually have a very delicate flavor and less is better when it comes to seasoning and cooking. Pan fish do not need to cook for more than a few minutes. When you compare the cost of other fishing ventures and the time involved it will almost always turn out that pan fishing is the least expensive and best eating for time and money spent.

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