We picked rods based on the species of fish you're after, from trout to panfish to walleye. Print Subscription-$35 for the Best Field & Stream Stories · Subscribe Today Gear ...

I coupled each with a St. Croix AVID Panfish rod and spooled each reel with Sufix Advance 4-pound monofilament to standardize my findings and level the playing field. From that testing, here are my ...

Bluegill readily grab flies like poppers, foam spiders, and tiny versions of the Clouser minnow. A 3- or 4-weight rod keeps it fun, but if bass bycatch is likely, bump up to a heavier outfit ...

These days, muskies, myriad saltwater species, bass, and even carp are pursued with fly rods. Panfish, however, don’t rank very high on the list of fly rod targets, which is a shame because they have ...

Johnson usually pairs his panfish rods with an in-line reel because they’re compact and efficient. Small spinning reels work fine, though, since line twist isn’t an issue with spoons.

The rod tip is too light to control a 3-mm or 4-mm tungsten jig, and the reel was designed to be used with a Schooley spring-bobber rod with a unique reel seat.

Pack up a fishing rod and bait and be prepared to reel in a catch when freshwater fishing on Long Island. Here are places where you might try dropping a line — and an idea of what might be ...