>>2070207>>2070227If you are fishing a panfish lake from shore, try a bobber rig. I prefer the style like pic related, but any small bobber would work. Use a small hook, enough split shot to slightly sink the bobber to add weight so you can cast, and a worm. It can be hard to find small worms for sale, so either dig your own or use a small piece of a nightcrawler. Crappie jigs like Beetle Bou jigs also work if you don't want to use live bait, but you will need to add a little action rather than just letting it sit. Any shallow weedy area will work, but especially look for holes in the weeds, or weed edges leading to deeper water if you can find them from shore. Look up how to set up a slip bobber if you want an even better chance, that way you can easily get your bait closer to the bottom which tends to be better.
As for time of day, panfish will bite pretty much all day long. Carp will also bite all day, but are best in the morning. As a pretty universal rule, predators feed during the morning and evening so if you want a bass make sure to get out there as early as you can, it really does make a massive difference for bass.
If you are up for a bit of an adventure, hit up a walleye lake like Chatfield. Walleye are on the post spawn right now so this is the best time to catch them. Get out there an hour before sunset with a headlamp and stay out after dark. Find somewhere rocky and fish shallow, casting a spoon or crankbait along the shore or bounce a jig, tipped with a worm or minnow if you are feeling fancy, along the bottom. Keep the headlamp off whenever you can to avoid spooking them. Walleye are also the best tasting fish you can find on the front range if you want to try eating a fish.
>>2070237Rod line size limits are based on the strength of the rod. If you use 8lb braid all the way, you could break your rod if you crank down the drag. What I would do is use 8lb braid, then a leader of 2lb-5lb mono or fluoro.
