Z-Man's Micro Graph ShadZ is designed for forward-facing sonar. (Photo courtesy of Z-Man Fishing)
July 30, 2025
By Alan Clemons
Bluegills in ditches and ponds, crappie and perch on big lakes ... These panfish are part of the script of our fishing youth. Relatively easy to catch just about anywhere, these species tugged our lines and created memories. That still holds true today, for kids and adults, and going after them still puts smiles on our faces. Amid the big-money tackle and baits at the annual summer ICAST Show, panfish have a niche that can’t be overlooked. Anglers still seek the best fishing gear for panfish, whether it’s feisty bluegills, tournament crappie or a mess of colorful perch.
Northland Twitchin’ Puppet Northland Tackle's Twitchin’ Puppet. The new Twitchin’ Puppet from Northland Tackle has a durable, over-molded resin body and tail that mimics a live minnow. Drop it to the target zone, give it a couple of quick snaps and it resembles a fleeing baitfish. It’s available in two weights and 10 colors. Learn More
Northland Tungsten Crappie Queen Northland's Tungsten Crappie Queen crappie fishing lure Available in 1/16th- and 1/8th-ounce, the Tungsten Crappie Queen adds a little flash with a smaller profile. Tungsten is 70-percent more dense than traditional lead jigs, so it falls faster into the strike zone . The baits are trimmed with queen-like metallic angel hair tinsel and a custom designed Ultra sharp hook proportioned for panfish. Learn More
B’n’M Leland's TCB (Trout, Crappie, Bluegill) Rod B’n’M Leland's TCB Rod In late spring this year, I fished at Reelfoot Lake for bluegills with longtime Blue Bank Resort guide Billy Blakeley in some shady cypress holes. Blakely has, over almost four decades of guiding, tried a variety of rods and reels. We were using the B’n’M Pole's Leland Lures TCB spinning rods with live crickets. Buck ‘gills went into the cooler, females were released. It didn’t take long for three of us to have a cooler of tasty filelts. TCB rods have an ultralight action but plenty of backbone for casting small baits or lures, along with bringing in the occasional largemouth that wanted a cricket. The rods are designed with premium graphite blanks, have a comfortable and sensitive split grip, and cast lures as light as 1/64oz. on 2-pound-test line. Crickets and bobbers on spinning rods? Take me back to my youth, please. Learn More
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Gulp! Alive! Stonefly Gulp! Alive! Stonefly soft-plastic crappie fishing lure Realism? Check. The legendary Gulp! Alive! attractant? Check. The new Stonefly has both, which is a plus for panfish anglers. The baits look like a stonefly, one of the most popular foods for panfish, and include a beefed-up head for easy rigging on a jighead or under a float. It darts and wiggles with an aggressive rod-tip jiggle, and comes in six colors. Learn More
Bajio Greenland Bajio Greenland sunglasses Whether you’re blocking the sun or peering into shade to find bluegill spots, the new Bajio Greenland sunglasses handle both with ease. They offer a large fit and full wrap, super clarity, and protection from the sun’s harmful rays. The model comes in three frame colors and seven lens tints in the most popular shades for bright sun, shade, overcast and open water. Glass and polycarbonate lenses are offered, along with reader and prescription possibilities. Vented rubber nose pads and side shields help prevent slippage even when you’re sweaty. Greenland lenses block 90 percent of harsh yellow light, 95 percent of blue light and 100 percent UV light. Learn More
More New Gear from ICAST Flambeau Super Half Satchel Photo courtesy of Flambeau Keeping baits and tackle organized is a big help on the bank or in the boat. Flambeau’s new tackle bag, the Super Half Satchel Soft Bait Organizer 4510 with Zerust, easily handles the task. It’s made with durable thermoplastic to handle the elements, and has an inset carry handle for a smooth, easy-to-stow profile. The translucent plastic makes it easy to see the contents. It has a hinged lid and oversized locking latch. Plastic bait zip-top packages fit perfectly, like files in a cabinet. Internal dividers are impregnated with Zerust to fight rust and corrosion. Learn More
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Northland Bobber Jig Northland Tackle's Tungsten Bobber Jig Forward-facing sonar is a thing for panfish anglers who can more easily find crappie, perch and bluegills. Northland Tackle created the Tungsten Bobber Jig , which has faceted sides that create flat surfaces to help with sonar return. Whether you’re fishing with live or artificial bait on the jig, the jig’s return shines better on the sonar. It’s available in 1/16th- and 1/8th-ounce in six colors. Learn More
Z-Man Micro Graph ShadZ Z-Man Fishing Micro Graph ShadZ crappie lures Built for forward-facing sonar, the new 1.75-inch Micro Graph ShadZ has a flattened shad profile and quivering forked tail. It has a horizontal, slow fall, and pairs with the Micro Shad HeadZ jighead, or the Micro Finesse ShroomZ if you’re fishing on the bottom. The Micro Graph is made with 10X Tough ElaZtech, so you won’t have to spend time re-rigging or adding live bait. It comes in eight colors and will be available in autumn. Learn More
Bobby Garland Brushoff, Head Turn’R Bobby Garland's Brushoff (left) and Head Turn’R Bobby Garland’s new Brushoff jig head has a super sharp hook and innovative bait keeper for use with soft plastic crappie baits. A twin thin wire guard allows the jig to glide through brush. For anglers who enjoy casting and retrieving, the new Head Turn’R has twin willow blades that keep spinning no matter what direction the bait is moving. The jig head’s design keeps the blades free from tangling at impact or during the fall. With a small plastic crappie bait, both jig heads can be rigged for long line trolling, spider rigging, slip corking, casting and retrieving, vertical jigging and dock shooting. Learn More
Eagle Claw Featherlight Rod Eagle Claw Featherlight Rod for crappie fishing A classic rod, the Eagle Claw Featherlight , has been updated for a slightly quicker response. A traditional fiberglass construction with moderate action and ultra-light power, it’s designed for lines from 2- to 6-pound test in one- and two-piece models. Traditionalists will appreciate the cork handles, as well. Six lengths are available. Learn More
Lazer Sharp Pro-V Bucktail Jigs Eagle Claw's Lazer Sharp Pro-V Bucktail Jig Years ago, while crappie fishing with the late Tennessee guide Jim Duckworth, I asked why he used bigger jigs. We were trolling quarter-ounce jigs tipped with live minnows. My posit was that crappie supposedly ate only small minnows and insects. Duckworth, of course, knew better, and our bigger jigs caught hungry crappie. I’ve seen that with other crappie guides and pros, too. The classic go-to walleye hair jig from Eagle Claw is now has been paired up with premium Pro-V Lazer Sharp hooks. Don’t ignore these just because it says “walleye.” The six colors and four sizes, including 1/8- and 1/4-ounce, will work for crappie. Each jig is hand tied with premium bucktail and has a teardrop shape head for an ideal drop rate and action. Learn More
Eye Hole Tungsten Pop Eye Jigheads Eye Hole's Pop Eye Jig for crappie fishing Eye Hole adds a new 1/4-ounce jig to its lineup, with a 1/0 hook, giving crappie anglers a better chance for solid hookups. The hole in the jig head is designed to hold scent, such as the Crappie Magnet Slab Bites . Also new this year are the tungsten Pop Eye jigs , coming in 1/16th-ounce, with hand-tied hair skirts and Mustad hooks. The hook shank has a Double Cross barb system to more effectively hold soft plastic bodies. Learn More
Arms Family Slayer Kit Arms Family Slayer Kit from Trout Magnet For anglers who enjoy fishing in ponds and small creeks, and know bass love small crayfish, the Arms Family Slayer Kit from Leland Lures is a definite must-have item. The segmented locking box comes with eight 1/32nd-ounce Trout Magnet heads and seven colors of small, lifelike crayfish. That’s 28 crayfish bodies, which will attract panfish and bass. Bass, along with bream and crappie, simply can’t resist these little morsels. Learn More
Trapski Racks Bucket Cutting Board Trapski Racks Bucket Cutting Board The Trapski Racks Bucket Cutting Board was one of our picks for the best catfish gear, but it’s a super idea for bluegill fishing, too. It has two grooves underneath to fit into standard 5-gallon buckets or premium models with a smidge wider diameter. The 24x15 board fits securely onto a bucket, creating a solid and stable surface for myriad tasks. It’s made in the U.S. from 1/2-inch marine grade HDPE and has an integrated 24-inch ruler so you can measure those big titty bream. Non-skid/marking feet keep it secure on flat surfaces. Learn More
Thill Sharp Shooter Float Thill Sharp Shooter Float for crappie and bluegill fishing Part of the Thill Gold Medal Series, the new Sharp Shooter Float casts like a dart thanks to key weighting and aerodynamic design. One end of the float has a “Sight Flight” fin design while the other has a brass grommet tip. Combined, the float balances well and is easily visible. Line flows freely through the brass grommet, too. The float is made with premium balsa and has high-visibility colors. The Sharp Shooter is available in 1/8, 1/4, and 3/8 ounce. Learn More
Plano Weekender Tackle Bag Plano Weekender Tackle Bag Keeping gear organized is a factor for success, and Plano’s new water-reistant Weekend Softsider Tackle Bag helps get the job done. It’s comes with a molded, waterproof base, zipperless top panel for quick access to two included Stowaway boxes and has room for more. A large internal compartment handles more gear and die-cut tool sleeves keep pliers or gear easily at hand. This year, too, Plano has improved its legendary StowAway 3500, 3600 and 3700 boxes with stronger components, more divider slots and Rustricor corrosion resistance. Learn More
Mustang Survival Elite 120 Mustang Survival Elite 120 personal floatation divice It’s always a good idea to wear a PFD if in a boat under power or in rough conditions. Your loved ones don’t want to get that call about an accident. Inflatable PFDs, such as the improved Mustang Survival Elite 120, should be a consideration. Improved technology has all but eliminated surprise inflations due to rain, boat spray or humidity. The new Elite 120 is a re-engineered version of the Elite 28 and has 28 pounds (120N) of buoyancy. It has a breathable mesh back and a shorter chassis to prevent ride-up on all body types, even at high speeds. The PFD uses the Hammar MA1 inflator, which is designed to activate only when submerged and won’t be activated by humidity, rain or spray. Learn More
