Although classes will be back in session for 2013-14 in most school districts, there is still plenty of opportunity to extend the fishing season for youngsters on weekends and those warm Indian Summer afternoons.
When looking for the perfect species for youngsters to target, none is better than sunfish. From toddlers with Snoopy rigs to those who have graduated to their first spinning rod, an outing for "sunnies" somehow seems to suit itself to summertime.
While the sunfish family actually includes black bass such as largemouths, smallmouths and crappies, the species most people commonly think of as "sunnies" are bluegills, pumpkinseeds and redbreast sunfish. These three panfish are abundant throughout the region, and the fact that they are relatively easy to fish for and catch make them ideal for any beginning angler, no matter their age.
When looking for a place to get started fishing for sunfish, the possibilities are almost endless. These colorful fish are found in large lakes such as Beltzville, Locust, Sweet Arrow, Chillasquaque and Tuscarora all the way down to the smallest farm ponds, and they can also be found in the slower- moving sections of the Schuylkill and Susquehanna rivers.
As far as tackle needed for a successful outing, a light- or ultra-light action rod, reel and some live bait is the most popular method for catching sunfish. Simply bait a hook with a piece of night crawler, a grub or a mealworm, cast out and wait.
Sunfish are sometimes so eager to take the offering they hit almost as soon as it hits the water, providing plenty of action for the kids. This helps them maintain their interest as they learn the various aspects of the sport, and if the action slows, add a bobber to the line as a strike indicator.
Since sunfish are small in size, usually averaging approximately 4-8 inches long, best results come when using a smaller hooks, such as a No. 10 or 12. Using a bright, colorful bobber is a great way for tykes to learn when they have a bite, as they can see it moving and diving, and for older, or more experienced youngsters, using small jigs or spinners provides options for targeting sunfish.
Although there are times when sunnies often seem to be everywhere a bait is presented, for even more success target casts to locations that provide the fish with cover and feeding options. In lakes, look for areas with plenty of aquatic vegetation, but the fish will also be found adjacent to submerged stumps and rocks.
While sunnies are on the small side on the average when compared to other fish, the largest specimens can still attain some pretty hefty weights. Each year Beltzville gives up bluegills that weigh more than a pound, and the largest bluegill ever caught in Pennsylvania was a 2-pound, 9-ounce fish that came from Keystone Lake in Armstrong County.
Any angler younger than age 16 who catches a bluegill weighing eight ounces or more is eligible for a Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Junior Angler Award. For a senior angler award, the fish must weigh a minimum of 12 ounces.
More information on sunfish identification and life history can be found by accessing the PFBC website at www.fishandboat.com/fishes.