ULTRALIGHT CRAPPIE FISHING! (St. Croix Panfish Series)

[@brentharvey9858]

My favorite fishing channel on You Tube! I appreciate all of the time and effort you put into making these videos. Your content and quality are better than most with 500k subscribers.

[@pistolcreek]

Wow! You’re too kind. Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment. It definitely requires a bit of time and effort to create video content. It means a lot when someone takes the time to their share feedback. 🙏🐟

[@ifacecheck]

How is this channel under 5k subs. Lets get this man up there, this is prime fishing content.

[@pistolcreek]

🙏 Thanks so much for watching and for the kind words. Really appreciate the encouragement and support. 🐟

[@FitnessOutdoors]

The music intro was crackling and so were all those Slabs! That reel does sound fantastic. The foggy setting was beautiful like the first Crappie. That was a nice battle at 12:40. The Black Crappie are amazing fish! Thanks for sharing ⭐️💥🎣

[@pistolcreek]

Thanks so much, Ron! You’ll be out on the pond catching crappie yourself, soon enough. Thanks so much for watching.🙏🐟

[@henryschmidt636]

My golly! I just found your channel. Amazing videography. Best narrator voice I've ever heard. Crispy sharp pic quality. You should have hundreds of thousands of subs!

[@pistolcreek]

Wow. Thank you so much for the kind words. Really appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment. 🙏🐟

[@nothin_but_dinks]

"pint size, prize fight" haha! Love that one, Chris!

[@pistolcreek]

Thank you so much for watching!🙏🐟

[@osvaldocatalan8277]

Love how you described your set up and this video is soo peacefull

[@pistolcreek]

Thank you so much for watching!🙏🐟

[@The_Next_Cast]

Great video brother! 😂 They do fight well for their size! You definitely know how to catch them Chris! I always love how you break down the set up to show how ell it works! Thanks for sharing!

[@pistolcreek]

Thanks so much for watching, Jim!🙏🐟

[@NaturalStateFishing]

Caught some really nice thick ones!! Thanks for another awesome video!

[@pistolcreek]

Thanks so much for watching, Matthew!🙏🐟

[@swampstalkeroutdoors]

Yes sir another fine day on the water with the #1 Panfishing Channel, nice job brother! You got me wanting to get after some Crappie myself!

[@pistolcreek]

If you asked me to choose between Fall Crappie and Summer Bluegill… that would be a very, very tough choice. 😬🐟 Hard to beat some big silver slabs tugging on your 2lb line. Thanks for watching, my friend.🙏🐟

[@trezmobley3375]

PC uploaded thxs for the trip 👏🏾

[@pistolcreek]

Thanks for watching and the continued support, my friend!🙏🐟

[@paulkipps9392]

This is another awesome video! And some very nice crappie and gills!!!!

[@pistolcreek]

Thank you so much, Paul! I really appreciate you watching and commenting.🙏🐟

[@fsupoutdoors]

Great vid man! There's something calming about fishing in the fog.

[@pistolcreek]

I agree! Thanks so much for watching.🙏🐟

[@darkhorsefive0]

Just saw your channel mentioned tonight on the Whatever Bites Podcast, mentioned by John of CFA. I have to say, your video quality and editing is top notch. Love me some Crappie fishing too! Subscribed! 👊😎👍

[@darkhorsefive0]

I also love that rod and reel combo! Looks perfect! Im too chicken to use 2lb line though. 😅

[@pistolcreek]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that. Crappie are one of my favorite species to catch. 2lb line is a ton of fun for panfish… just have to set your drag accordingly and let it do the work. Casts light lures very well and makes every fish feel like a prize!🙏🐟

[@darkhorsefive0]

@ I may have to try it now. I’ve gone 4lb but never 2. That looks like so much fun though! I have an old Shakespeare ultralight rod and reel combo. Like the rod ok but never cared for the reel. It works fine for catching tiny bluegill to use as bait for huge catfish though! I’m going to look into that reel you used in this video. I mostly bass fish but truth be told, I love catching any species as long as they are healthy and beautiful. I just love fishing!

[@pistolcreek]

Some of those little Shakespeare ultralight rods are great! I have a couple of the Micro Series rods. For the price, they are very good. If you are looking to upgrade the reel… some options I’d suggest looking into are the Shimano Sedona or Nasci 500, the Daiwa Regal LT 1000, or the Pflueger Trion 20. All of these are solid, lightweight reels that you can find between 40-100 dollars. You might be able to catch one on sale someplace. It will make a tremendous difference in the enjoyment you get from that rod. Daiwa also has some nice 750 size reels that might be a good option. The Daiwa Q-750 line of reels is solid and they smart at around $30 or so. Good luck!

[@darkhorsefive0]

@ thanks for the input. I will look into those.

[@DrDitchpickle]

Great video! Man that st croix is sweet! They make some fantastic rods

[@pistolcreek]

Yessir! They sure do. Thanks so much for watching, Doc!🙏🐟

[@davidtanner6834]

Yet another excellent ultralight pan fishing ride along.

[@pistolcreek]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@nicholascomeaux8196]

Maaannnnn that’s one high end crappie set up you got there

[@pistolcreek]

Thank you! To me, it’s a very nice setup. Keep in mind, I also fish out of an 8’ plastic boat😄… so probably not the guy you want to rely on for high end gear advice. If you want to see some really nice JDM ultralight rods and reels put to use catching panfish, check out my buddy Randy Goad’s channel @troutmagnetman. He has an incredible collection of high end ultralight gear.

[@troutmagnetman]

Great video! Watched this as I was sitting in the car Monday while wife was in store shopping🤣

[@pistolcreek]

That’s the best time to watch fishing videos.😄🐟 Thanks so much, Randy!

[@Arrigo_Outdoor_Adventures]

Some beautiful crappie….

[@pistolcreek]

Thanks so much for watching!🙏🐟

[@Hippietrails1]

Another great video!!! Thanks 🙏🏻

[@pistolcreek]

Thank you so much, HippieTrails!🙏🐟

[@kento702]

I just got a deal on this exact rod over the weekend. Guess it was meant to be after seeing you slay those slabs!

[@pistolcreek]

That’s awesome! It’s definitely made for slaying slabs and busting bluegill!😄 Such a beautiful and fun ultralight rod. What length did you get?

[@kento702]

@pistolcreek 6 footer! So excited to test it out!

[@pistolcreek]

@kento702 I think you’ll love it. Good luck!🐟

[@Fish-and-Jeeps]

Nice video, Chris! Its so relaxing to watch your videos when I'm not out fishing... Like the new intro song... love the old one :)

[@pistolcreek]

Thanks so much! I still have the original intro. Just mixing it up a bit.😄🐟 Hope you catch some nice ones on your next trip!

[@frankmccutchen4410]

Great video! Love the sound of the drag👍

[@pistolcreek]

@@frankmccutchen4410 Thanks so much, Frank!🙏🐟

[@Fishing_with_Domingo]

Very nice video and very nice slabs! Looked like a great day out on the water. Have a great week, chris, and be safe out there fishing!🐟🐟🐟🙏💯

[@pistolcreek]

Thank you so much, Domingo!🙏🐟

[@stubbyanderson1]

Great video, very informative. You see so many content makers but not everyone shows you what setup and bait their using. Subscribed bud

[@pistolcreek]

Thank you so much for watching and for subscribing!🙏🐟

[@haroldfields5189]

Awesome video. Very nice rod and reel setup. Beautiful fish.

[@pistolcreek]

Thanks so much for watching!🙏🐟

[@Shrike456]

I got a 6'' for myself when my birthday came around last year, and it's honestly one of my favourite rods. It surprisingly sturdy for being a UL, I've landed 17 inch bass on it and even a 7lb+ steelhead that I hooked into the other day fishing for smaller rainbows.

[@pistolcreek]

Wow! Those steelhead look like a blast! A 7lb fish on this rod is crazy. Love this thing.

[@JimSpackey-ib4uo]

Another great video, I got a 6'6"avid panfish st crioux and love it

[@pistolcreek]

The Fishing Nomad uses that rod sometimes and it looks awesome. Thanks so much for watching!🙏🐟

[@bogolyskeepingitreel]

I'm thinking of downgrading my 16' travel boat to a Prowler. The older I'm getting the harder it's getting putting the heavy boat in and out. Especially trying smaller bodies of water. Love the popups you have Chris...name that panfish 👍 Beautiful Crappies and some solid gills in the mix as well. Great video as always brother!!

[@pistolcreek]

Thanks so much, Chris! You would enjoy a little boat like these, I think. My brother just bought the 10’ Pelican Bass Raider and it has 2 seats. It’s a blast to fish with and super convenient.

[@chipseiler1766]

Looks like a fun little combo. I still use my one piece ultra lite / fast action 6' 9" St. Croix Panfish Series like you have in the 6' version here, paired with a Daiwa Regal (4 lb. Vicious Mono and 4 lb. SOS leader) as my "float" rig. That's FUN!

[@pistolcreek]

Thank you for watching, Chip! Love the Regal.🐟

[@granvillej3316]

Listening to you commentate your videos is quite a soothing experience I bet you get this question a lot did you radio dj in your past life and do you have a video of you moving to this lifestyle lol! Thank you for your video content in really growing to live pan fishing again! Tight lines take care and God bless!

[@pistolcreek]

Panfish are the absolute best! Easy to catch, accessible to most folks, and flat out fun when you use ultralight gear. Thank you for watching and the kind words. Really appreciate you taking the time to comment. To answer your question… nope, no radio. Haha. That would have been a cool job to have, though.

[@nicholascounts6239]

Great Video. I subscribed!

[@pistolcreek]

Thank you so much!🙏🐟

[@krsone1585]

Great vid! I'm gonna subscribe.

[@pistolcreek]

Thank you!

[@krsone1585]

@@pistolcreek Thank you for taking the time...I love ultralight fishing. Back in early 90's I caught my biggest bass on 4lb trilene using ultralight 1/4 zara spook puppy. 13 lb large mouth. Good times for sure.

[@pistolcreek]

@krsone1585 Wow! That had to have been one heck of a fight getting him in. Same here, love ultralight. It makes catching fish super enjoyable.

[@krsone1585]

​@@pistolcreekIt was a fight...that was in Orlando, fla..one thing I miss about fla. Bass fishing was the best.

[@pistolcreek]

@krsone1585 Always wanted to fish Florida for bluegill.

[@bryanross5766]

Hello bud.irs Bryan enjoy every Video. Like ur style.still waiting on a video of ur fish finder and amo Box.

[@pistolcreek]

Thank you so much, Bryan! You know what… I actually mounted my finder onto the boat since then. I still have the box, though. If you want to email me, I’d be more than happy to send you some photos and help you set one up if I can.

[@bryanross5766]

@pistolcreek you also keep your boat simple..I haven't done anything to my pelican boat. Don't really want to drill and screw into my boat

[@pistolcreek]

@bryanross5766 Simple is good, I think. 👍🐟

[@krsone1585]

I just got in st.croix pan fish rod. 6'4 light power. About 2 months ago I got a st.croix avid spinning rod to go with my shimano vanford 3000 reel. Im saving for a old town 120 pdl or a 136 auto pilot.

[@pistolcreek]

That’s gonna be one sweet setup!👌🐟

[@brythegeek]

New subscriber to your awesome channel!! You have some great videos! I’m a big fan of Trout Magnet and Crappie Magnet! My two favorite fish to catch are crappie and bluegill. Keep making great videos! I’m in the market for a new rod, so I’ll have to check that out! Have you tried the new tungsten jig heads yet?

[@pistolcreek]

Trout Magnets and Crappie Magnets are the best! Thank you so much for the kind words and for watching. 🙏🐟 Yes… I have tried the Tungsten TM jig heads and they are a game changer. More casting distance and deeper penetration into the water column. Love them!

[@brythegeek]

@@pistolcreek Thanks for your quick reply!! I've really been debating on them! I've actually never used the 1/64 oz jig heads from them either. Thinking about picking some of those up along with the Panfish kit. Bison is my favorite color, but I really want to try the bulldog and catalpa colors too. You have any favorites?

[@pistolcreek]

@brythegeek They are awesome! The 1/64oz have a slow fall rate which is killer for triggering panfish bites. The Shad dart shaped head is also designed to keep the lure horizontal as it falls. If you like to float fish or vertical jig, a loop knot is a great way to go. The hooks are the perfect size and keep the fish pinned.

[@brythegeek]

@@pistolcreek Thanks a lot for all the info! I'll be ordering tonight! Will also be adding the new 50 pack natural color trout magnet that my buddy Troy Seal helped with!

[@pistolcreek]

@brythegeek The natural looks so good! Good luck and hope you catch a bunch of nice ones.🐟

[@budwhite9591]

Spending a good bit of the winter with my grandparents in Tennessee during the winter. Is there anything worth fishing for in December and January? Bluegill and bass?

[@pistolcreek]

What general area of Tennessee? East/Middle/West? Crappie can be good on certain lakes. Trout are very fun in December and January if you live near a place that stocks them. Bluegill can usually be found in about any pond or creek if you fish the deeper sections. Of course, every body of water is different. If you have access to a small creek or stream, usually plenty of small bass to be caught on Trout Magnets, Curl Tail Grubs, Beetle Spins, Micro Crankbaits, etc. If you have access to an ultralight rod… will definitely make things more fun!

[@ronmayo8591]

Great little rod and reel. I have never had a budget that would have afforded a St. Croix rod. That's neither here or there. It was still a great video Chris.

[@pistolcreek]

The St. Croix Panfish Series is currently, by far, the most expensive rod I own. I have to say, though, in my opinion it’s worth every penny. I LOVE this little rod. If you are looking for another very good ultralight that is about $60-70 less, the 6’ Daiwa Presso 2-piece is terrific. For a solid budget option, the Okuma Celilo, Handing Magic L, and Shakespeare Micro Series are all very fun rods that won’t bust your billfold. Thanks so much for watching and commenting, Ron!🙏🐟

[@ronmayo8591]

The most expensive crappie rod that I have bought was the ACC 8'. I currently have 14 BnM rods that I got on clearance sales. The TCB rod has been my favorite one of the bunch. I definitely don't have a shortage of light and ultra light rods as upon last count there's 48 of them. Your videos are treasured Chris. Thank you.

[@pistolcreek]

@ronmayo8591 48!😳 Wow. You may have a crappie fishing addiction, Ron.😄 The ACC rods look very nice. I love my TCB rod, too. I also have been looking at the B’N’M Sam Heaton rods. Have you tried that one? Looks great.

[@ronmayo8591]

Yes sir, I have the Same Heaton 7' as a backup for my TCB rod.

[@pistolcreek]

@ronmayo8591 I need to buy that one.

[@joshgrimes9554]

I have the same set up...how do you like that fishing line? I have never heard of it....i usually have mine spooled with Gamma panfish 2lb.

[@pistolcreek]

Varivas lines are out of Japan. I learned about them from Randy Goad @troutmagnetman here on KZbin. The Super Trout Advance Nylon is incredible. Can’t get over how smooth the Varivas lines are. This stuff lays perfectly straight with no twist or curve and casts like a dream. I highly recommend it. If you create a free account on their website at www.Varivas.Fishing, I believe you get $10 off the first order, which covers shipping plus a few bucks more. I absolutely love this line and the Blue Moon Fluorocarbon in 1.7lb test, also. @varivas_america

[@61ranger188]

What jig head are you using? Thanks for the videos.

[@pistolcreek]

@@61ranger188 Thank you so much for watching! On this trip, I was pairing the Trout Magnet with a 1 gram Finesse Jig Head from Mustad and Sons. I found them at my local Walmart in 5 packs. They have the smaller hooks which is awesome for having more weight to get the Trout Magnet or other micro plastics deeper into the water column. They were next to the Aberdeen and Bass hooks at my local store… so not near the usual panfish/crappie jig heads are.

[@rbiel100]

Hi new subscriber here. working my way through your (outstanding) videos, I'm a bit older and have moved from a sit in kayak - to a sit on kayak - to a solo canoe presently. I have maybe another year of being able to put the canoe on top of my vehicle, I am intrigued by the prowler boat (it's within my price range) but can you tell me if you use a trailer ever to transport it? I have a minivan and would need to trailer. thank you much in advance and Happy Thanksgiving! PS I also fish ultralight or a light fly rod 95% of the time

[@pistolcreek]

Thank you so much for watching and subscribing! I really appreciate that. There is a video or two here on the channel where O cover loading on my 5x8 trailer and also in a truck bed. The trailer works perfect. I may do an updated video on my boat soon sharing some of the more recent mods and go over loading/unloading. Thanks again!

[@rbiel100]

@ thank you I will check your videos

[@8bitfrenzy376]

How would you compare this rod to the presso? I have the st croix and like it but it's a tad wobbly. Was thinking about getting a presso as a backup or travel rod.

[@pistolcreek]

I will say that right now, the St. Croix Panfish Series is providing a ton of fun for me. I really love this rod. That said, I tend to prefer a rod with significant bend and flex to it. The two piece Presso 6’ rod is another fantastic option. I would say that it may be a tad bit stiffer in the lower section, but not by too much. I think part of what gives the Panfish Series its feel is that it’s a one piece. I purchased a 7’ four piece Presso travel rod last year and didn’t enjoy it as much. Much stiffer and the 7’ was tip heavy for a small 1000 or 500 size reel, in my opinion. Still a solid rod though. Just my personal thoughts.

[@chipseiler1766]

if i may, I'd like to weigh in on this please. I own both a 6' 2 piece Ultra Lite Presso and a 6' 9" 1 piece Ultra Lite / Fast Action St. Croix Panfish Series. I much prefer the feel and action of the St. Croix. Working the lure and casting is a bit better as well. The Presso is a bit tip heavy for me. Playing the fish once hooked is about equally enjoyable. Having said that, I also prefer using both of these with 1/16 oz. and above lures. (Right now I have a 1g i_fish BG-1 jig with a trout magnet tied on the Presso, and it is working well as far as casting and retrieving goes.) I also own a 6' 2" one piece Ultra Lite Fast Action Dobyn's Sierra Trout and Panfish and a TFO 6' 6" Trout and Panfish II one piece Ultra Lite / Fast Action. For "twitching" a small jig, which I do MOST of the time, I prefer either the Dobyn's or the TFO. If you are just going to "swim" and maybe "swim and let your lure fall a foot or so" on the way back, the Presso and the St. Croix are awesome. If you are going to "twitch / twitch and fall" method, either the Dobyn's or the TFO work a lot better. The fights on any of the 4 rods are fun. The Dobyn's tips are VERY thin and break fairly easily. I've seen "Fish Anything" have 2 different Dobyn's tips break on him. Out of those 4 rods, my favorite all around is the TFO. The handle and bottom section of the Dobyn's is a bit thick for me, and the tip scares me every trip. The TFO handle is very sensitive but a bit skinny/ smaller in diameter. I do switch rods a lot per trip, so it usually doesn't bother me. I find that the TFO is my most versatile of the 4 as well. I throw weightless homemade panfish "bugs" and up to 1/8 oz. jigs on it. I also use it for my micro drop shot rig and right now, I have a small 1 5/8 inch Rebel Tracdown lure that I use as a small jerk bait tied onto it. If I could only have one, after fishing with all four on a regular basis (3 - 5 times per week, 4 - 6 hour sessions) for the past three years (St. Croix), 2 years (Dobyn's) year and a half (TFO) and 4 months (Presso), the TFO wins hands down. I know you said as a travel rod, so this is almost a pointless answer. I have heard such bad things about the Presso Travel rod, BUT, some good. Check out "Fish Anything" channel for a couple of trips he took using, I think the 4 piece travel rod. They are almost impossible to find in stock. I was actually looking at that option myself awhile back. I'm going to my mother in laws this week, and my answer to that was to buy a 6' 6" Bass Pro Micro Lite uktra lite / fast action rod, and have it delivered to her house. I'm going to leave it there. Not really a travel rod solution, but one that works for me. I'm taking a Shimano Miravel 1000 (2.3 lb. Varivas line) and a Daiwa Regal 1000 (4 lb. Vicious mono) with me in y suitcase. I also have some 4 lb. line I'm taking as a leader. That and an old fanny pack (leaving it there). Since that's pretty much the only plane trip I take each year, that works. Everything else I do will be in a car. For an ultra lite car trip I can take my 2 piece 6' Presso. I did look at a TFO travel rod option, but couldn't find an ultra lite or a larger spinning rod I could "afford" to buy just for 1 - 3 trips per year! Blessings!

[@8bitfrenzy376]

@@chipseiler1766 Thanks for your input, I agree that action and recovery of the St. Croix is just a bit slow for effective twitching and casting very light baits, both of which I am trying to do. I like the rod but I'm just trying to use it outside of what it was intended to do effectively. I was debating selling it for the new TFO pastime but I'm not sure.

[@chipseiler1766]

@@8bitfrenzy376 Yes. Get the pastime! It will be prove to be the best American made / Amaerican style rod decision you could make in it's price point! It's the same TFO rod that I have with upgraded components. I personally am going to all Japanese SUL and UL rods, but that's whole other story! I'm still using the TFO TPF II for my jerk bait and drop shot, but the Japanese SUL's / UL's for twitching and slow swimming jigs.

[@WayneHays-f4x]

Chris what knot do you tie with these small jigs? I’ve always used a Palomar or uni knot but some people say you should use a loop knot to give the jig more action. Just wondering what your preference is.

[@pistolcreek]

Since I mostly use 2lb line, I like to use the Palomar knot due to its strength. A loop knot can definitely be helpful for fishing jigs under a float or vertical jigging, since it lets the jig head lay horizontal easier. The Trout Magnet and Panfish Magnet Shad Dart jig heads that I like to use with Trout Magnets, do a great job of falling horizontally when you cast them. Many times, a fish will snatch them up on that initial fall. If I were fishing 4lb or heavier line and using one of the methods mentioned above, I’d probably experiment with a loop knot more often. The Palomar just works well for me and how I enjoy fishing. Thanks so much for watching!🙏🐟

[@WayneHays-f4x]

@Thanks!

[@scottthomas6741]

Do you like the St. Croix better than the Diawa Presso? Have you tried the Trout Magnet TCB rod?

[@pistolcreek]

I actually have one of the TCB rods and love it. I fish with it regularly. Fantastic all-round ultralight rod for multi species. I really like my Presso rods a bunch. For $70, amazing action and quality. That said, I think the St Croix Panfish Series is currently my favorite rod I own. It’s so good! If you have a Dick’s Sporting Goods in your town, they may have them there where you can check one out for yourself. That’s what sold me on it. When I picked it up and felt the weight and the action, I was sold. It’s a bit more expensive at $125, but worth every penny in my book. Check out my buddy Nomad’s channel over at @TheFishingNomad . He has some really nice St. Croix panfish rods and does a great job reviewing them. He’s part of the reason why I was looking at them in the first place. Thanks so much for watching!🙏🐟

[@nicholascounts6239]

I use the TCB! It’s a nice rod.

[@pistolcreek]

@nicholascounts6239 Yes!

[@dann.294]

Why do you not fill the spool?

[@pistolcreek]

@@dann.294 I enjoy trying new lines and test weights on a fairly regular basis, so I will often only fill my spools with about half to three quarters capacity at a time. I also like to use some lines that come in 100 meter spools… and don’t use a “backer”. Thank you for watching.🐟