re: Panfish versus crickets

Best baits for panfish in the south IMHO

grass shrimp



brown crickets
earth worms
red wigglers
field crickets
grasshoppers




any other meat (original slim jims work and stay on a hook FOREVER)








but for fast fishing with kids without the troubles of live bait try a wet fly as mentioned above.



I use a small weighted cork,

with a small wet fly (scuds, midges, small wooly buggers), or unweighted baitkeeper hook with a a small soft plastic bait tied 18 -30 " below the cork.







Frequently the rate of fall is the key. Crickets sink slowly and so should your bait. So cast out, wait 3-5 seconds and pull the cork forward 6" and then wait again. Repeat and load the cooler.