The truth is out there, found in the same general abyss used by panfish. But some panfishermen can't handle the truth. Panfish go deep. From postspawn through winter, most species of panfish suspend in open water, hold on deep structure, or populate deep basin areas at one point or another.

Rockpiles rising off the bottom of a 25-foot flat, for instance, are classic summer haunts for giant bluegills and crappies. But hunt panfish there in spring, or in early summer just after the spawn, and chances are the spot will hold perch, walleyes, or pike, but few panfish. So, until surface temperatures have topped 70F in spawning areas and until panfish have had time to disperse, humps, rockpiles, and other deep structural elements are poor locational choices for anglers. Timing is the first key.

July, August, and September are perfect times to probe deep panfish haunts. Even then, only a few panfish might position deep, like the minority that stays on deep weedlines, or the one that stays in shallow slop, or the minority that cruise open water, following wind-driven veils of plankton. Things like fishing pressure and forage density ultimately determine which pattern involves a majority, if any. But, because so few bluegill anglers hunt deep in summer, deep fish tend to be bullish in lakes where deep patterns persist.

Precise location is the second key. During the same time frame, crappies alternate between suspending off structure during the day and holding on it during low-light periods. Like bluegills, crappies also position on deep rockpiles, but more likely suspend up and away in morning and evening. And, like bluegills, crappies cruise open water, too, sometimes suspending over the deepest basins in the lake in search of plankton, or chasing minnows that also feed on open-water plankton. White bass will be nearby. And all species of panfish gather on deep weedlines, especially when the wind's been blowing into the area for several days.

Presentation is the final key to the final door. Put the right bait or lure on the right rig and it's lights out for deep panfish. Boat positioning, sonar savvy, and wind watching are all part of the game, components we've discussed at great length in past issues. Here we recap rigging options for panfish in various open-water attitudes, including tackle considerations, timing, and a few locational keys.

Bluegills and crappies aren't the only critters populating the abyss. Angling efforts and recent radio-telemetry studies in Wisconsin prove that perch also suspend in open water. And white bass are notorious open-water minnow rustlers. So, like it or not, big panfish are out there. And that's the truth.