Things You'll Need:
- Rod and reel spooled with line
- Hooks size 6 or 8 (a good size for panfish) and bobbers
- Canned corn or a fresh ear of corn
- Pocketknife for scraping kernels off the corncob and rigging lines
- Lantern or flashlights
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Step 1
Set the lantern or flashlight on the edge of a dock or a flat surface near the banks of a lake in a spot close to the fishing hole, yet not so close that someone could trip over the lantern or kick it into the water. The light should be bright and cast a wide enough beam to reflect onto the water. Battery-powered lanterns that run on several D cells are a good choice because they cast a powerful light that lasts for hours.
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Step 2
Turn on the lantern and watch for insects to begin gathering over the water. You may also notice baitfish, such as minnows, schooling near the light.
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Step 3
Set up the fishing poles with size 6 to 8 hooks tied directly to the end of the line. Clip a small bobber 8 to 12 inches above the hook.
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Step 4
Bait each hook with two to three kernels of corn. Pierce the corn on the softer side and thread the kernels onto the curve of the hook. Place a kernel on the hook point and press gently to hold it in place. Fresh corn scraped off a cob will last longer than canned corn, although the canned variety will give off a sweeter taste in the water that may be more attractive to panfish.
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Step 5
Lower the lines into the water where the light casts upon the surface, then watch the bobbers. When a float begins to twitch, resist the urge to pull back immediately on the rod. Wait for the bobber to disappear underwater, then raise the rod tip sharply to set the hook.
