Fly Fishing?

[MuskieBait]

4-wt is perfect for panfish. Just have to realize that, as OT said, the wind may inhibit your casting on some days.

You can still get a decent 50-70 feet cast on the 4-wt. If your rod is a bit stiffer (for a 4-wt action), I suggest for you to go one size heavier in line, that is, to use a 5-wt line for your 4-wt rod. That way, you can load the rod better and cast that line further. If the rod is not as stiff, using the 4-wt fly line is adequate.

For most panfish situation, you don't need a full sink line. A sink tip line will get your fly deeper, but most often a floating line will suffice. You can add a small splitshot on the leader to help carry the fly down to the right depth. You can use foam strike indicator to signal bites if you like. If you are slow stripping a wet fly, you may not even need the strike indicator as you will feel the take. You will not need any strike indicator for dry flies.

Panfish are not too picky. I tie my own flies and I find nymphs like Beadhead Pheasant Tail, Hares Ear, Prince Nymph or Zug Bug to be productive. You can also use micro leech, San Juan Worm, and smaller minnow patterns. For dry flies, I like Elk Hair Caddis a lot for its visibility and floating ability. It is also very durable and can last many, many fish.

Presentation is key (like any other fishing). If you are fishing in a lake, simply suspend a nymph under an indicator is less attractive. Usually, slow stripping is the technique I like. If you are drifting in the river, you can drift the nymph in the current then allow it to swing in the current.

Fish for them on the fly just like you would with spinning gear and artificial gear. Really, it's not that different. You wouldn't just let a panfish tube sit motionless for a long time under a float...so is the same with fly fishing nymphs and wet flies.