Putting a few panfish in the livewell during mid to late summer is a different matter than the springtime, when spawning activities have fish in predictable locations.

Warm weather success with species like yellow perch and bluegills often requires a more aggressive approach, one where the business end of the line is rigged with some type of hardware.

Jerkbait yellow perch

Smaller versions of aggressive action hard jerkbaits like Rapala’s X-Rap slashbait and Yo-Zuri’s Pins Minnow allow an angler to quickly search for yellow perch, fish that often locate themselves, at this time of year, in open water near the outside edge of sub-surface weedbeds.

This pattern is particularly effective on clearer water reservoirs and natural lakes that have stands of milfoil, coontail or cabbage weeds growing out to depths of eight to 10 feet or more. Since lakes of this description are often heavily rimmed with such submergent growth, simply finding the perch can be a major factor in success. Cover-the-water baits like a minnow-shaped jerkbait allow you to rapidly hunt.

Pare down your hardbaits choices to smaller baits. No. 6 and no. 8 X-Raps and 2.5 inch Pins Minnows offer enough size to be cast effectively, yet are small enough to conjure hits from perch. I like to use a medium-light action rod like St. Croix’s six foot, eight inch Mojo Bass spinning rod (Wacky model) coupled with a Shimano 2500 Symetre spinning reel.

The reel is loaded with 20-pound test Power Pro braided line. A four-foot leader comprised of eight-pound test fluorocarbon line is tied between the braided line and the lure. This setup — thanks to a rod with some backbone and the no-stretch line — ensures the angler gets maximum action from the lure, a key in triggering bites.

Start your search along weed edges that have character. This includes stands of growth near the mouths of bays, inside turns along the edge, or a large weed point that juts out into the lake. Casts should be directed toward the weed edge, and also in the open water 20 to 50 feet away from the edge.

Work the bait by giving it sharp downward rod snaps, which force the bait to dart quickly from side to side. Every three or four snaps, rest the bait for a few seconds so it suspends (or slowly rises in the case of the floating Pins Minnow). Perch will often strike the bait while it lies relatively motionless.

Watch the bait as it nears the boat. On days where perch are reluctant to eat the jerkbait they will often follow it, revealing their location. You can then show them a slower presentation, like a small jig, that they might be willing to take.

This method also works quite well on quality-sized crappies, always a welcome addition to the livewell.

Spinnerbait bluegills

Even bluegills, which have diminutive mouths compared to crappies and perch, can be effectively fished with hardware, particularly underspin jig/spinner combos like smaller versions of the time-honored Roadrunner.

“All fish tend to look up,” said Alabama-based panfish expert T.J. Stallings. “Therefore underspins have an advantage over the safety-pin style of spinners. The blade position simulates gill-flash, a natural feeding signal. This gives the lure a ‘preoccupied’ look, like it’s feeding.”

During the summer Stallings first looks to flooded trees and stumps as places likely to hold bluegills. He also has great confidence in weedy areas that have a hard edge with at least four feet of water nearby.

“Bluegills like vertical cover that offers them some safety from predators,” he explained. “This vertical cover often holds bugs and minnows.”

When Stallings is in search mode, he typically uses a 1/16 ounce Road Runner. He often switches to a 1/32 ounce Road Runner when he wants to slow down, something of most importance when he’s fishing shallow water.

“There are a couple important tips to remember when fishing a Road Runner for bluegills,” Stallings added. “Remember to lower your rod tip as the jig approaches. This will keep the lure in the zone longer. Also, if you miss a bite, lower the tip a little and continue your retrieve, as bluegills love to do a fast, 360-degree turn to strike a lure again.”

Jeff Knapp is a fishing columnist for the Butler Eagle