Basins where to start?

[ANYFISH2]

How does one break down a new lake, to find basin related panfish?

 

What kind of search lures work best?

[Jim Panfish Uran]

It depends on the size and the depth of the basins and their relation to shallower feeding flats. I like to work the edges of the basin near a shallower feeding flat, drill and move until you mark fish. I like to use a small rattle spoon that gets down quickly to the preferred zone. I'll stick to an area about 2/3rds of the way down to the bottom, that seems to have been the best area to find the fish in the water column.  

 

Some of the smaller basins you are better off just drilling all over them, you can find active fish over the basins at any time during the day, although those cloudier days put more fish on the ice. 

[Neighbor_guy]

If your targeting sunfish, crappies, or perch, and are willing to drill and search until you hit the school then I will do this...

 

find the area or structure you want to fish on the lake map and to get you into the general area. Drill a hole and drop the transducer in. Then I like to use a spoon like a daredevil, miss Cleo, or krocodile spoon. Heavy, gets down fast, think open water pike size. In either a bright color like pink and white, or chrome/brass and chase that down after transducer and rip it a few times. (I take the hooks off) and let it settle. You may need to work the water column a little if your in deeper water. If the screen lights up your in business, there are fish in the area and you can toss down your go to lure or jig to seal the deal. If not move on. 

 

This works good to eliminate a lot of water and find schools of fish away from others. Trouble is there are people who will sit and watch and if you do this a lot, then suddenly set up your shack they will chase you down. 

 

Panfish, especially gills and perch are very curious by nature and rely heavily on visual stimulus. They will travel a long way to investigate something new in their environment. 

[Borch]

Bring extra auger gas and sharp blades.  If fishing panfish they can literally be anywhere in the basin from the weed edge to the deepest hole.  I like flats, cuts and saddles as places to start.  But nothing replaces a willingness to search.

 

I like small spoons or plastics on a little heavier jig to search.  Once you find them you can downsize if you need to.  I'll also recommend a good flasher.  They are worth every penny for ice fishing. 

[river rat316]

As other have said. Drill, drill, drill. I personally like flats and working out from there. If the lake is just a shallow bowl drilling and chasing is the best option 

[monstermoose78]

I like to find something me different on the flat or basin. A skunked island a spot where it drops off faster a pinch point. Lastly away from everyone else it seems to help with getting those big gills!