Hey I am moving to Western North Carolina in a couple of weeks. Got a new medium action 6'6" spining pole. What do I do to target panfish like Crappie, and Bluegill? What tackle do I need? What pound fishing line do I need? I will use it for Bass to so I don't want to go too light on the main line. What area's do I target on a lake, pond, resivore, or river? Any help is much appreciated. I live in the North West so I only have experience fishing for Salmon, Steelhead, and on a rare occasion Trout.

The medium combo you have will do, and if using it for bass spool up some 10-12 lb braid as a compromise. Southern crappie can get fairly large. For bluegill (call 'em bream down south) a lighter rig is probably in order. As far as bait goes, I would find a bait shop in the new neighborhood and find out what works locally. I have caught crappie on everything from a wax worm on a #8 hook to a 3/8 oz spinner. Hope this is some help. Tom

I would use 10-12 lb mono. If I knew what the places you would be fishing are like (structure), I could tell you what lures/baits you should use.

The Classic Michigander 

Thanks guys. Yeah I decided to put 6 lb mono on. I like a challenge! I figured hooks no bigger than #4 would work. Got some jig heads and small plastic worms in a assortment of colors. I also figured the rooster tails I use out here for steelies would work good to! Thanks for the help any info is very much appreciated. I have only fished for Steelhead, Salmon, and Trout. So I am heart broken that I am not going to be able to target them everyday, when ever I want. I am excited to slay some Panfish and Bass though!

Sounds like you are off to a good start. You might find the 6# mono a bit light if you run into one of the larger bass the south offers, but having fished steelhead you should know the drill. The big difference you will find is that most of your fishing will be in reservoirs with lots of submerged timber and the bass really know how to use the cover! Tom

Here in Arizona I catch several of them for flathead cat bait on my fishing trips. I have found an awesome bait to catch greenies. Buy some frozen squid at an asian supermarket. Cut off a section of the squid head so you have 2 tentacles joined together, and hook that up so the tentacles trail in the water during the retrieve. The motion is irresitable to the sunnies. Also, the squid is very tough and difficult for them to steal your bait. I catch a livewell full of bait with usually no more than one or two squid heads.