With 7,710 named lakes and ponds, and 12,000 miles of rivers to choose from in Florida, how can anyone narrow the state's best panfish spots down to 100, let alone just 15?

Let's face it. About any water body in the Sunshine State, regardless of size or locale, will usually contain bluegills and, probably to a lesser extent, redear sunfish (shellcrackers).

Offsetting this ideal circumstance, however, are the knuckle balls pitched at us by Mother Nature in the form of an unusually warm 1999/2000 winter season which may (or may not) alter normal bedding activities, plus severe drought conditions that drastically lowered water levels in some areas of the state to such an extent that it'll limit (or curtail) an angler's ability to even launch a boat or reach fishable areas. "Bream Guru" Steve Crawford foresees no significant changes to panfish prospects for 2000, but acknowledges a possibility that dates for bedding activities could be advanced slightly in the central and southern portions of the state. (see here for 1999 choices)

Crawford, a veteran biologist with Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, anticipates that shellcrackers will go onto the beds during the full or new moon periods of March and into April in many areas, while bluegills will rendezvous in April and May. According to Crawford, shellcrackers bed well into August, while bluegills periodically spawn throughout the summer months and, sometimes, even as late as November.

"Water depths for bedding bream may range anywhere from 3 to 10 feet. "However," he continued, "bluegills seem to opt for slightly more shallow depths, and it's not unusual to see shellcrackers and bluegills intermingle, using the same beds at the same time." Of the two species, bluegills are easily the more popular due to their availability.

Found in lakes, streams, rivers, ponds and canals, bluegills are caught on a wide variety of live offerings with earthworms, crickets and grass shrimp being the more prevailing. Anglers who use spinning gear won't go wrong when tossing or trolling small spinnerbaits and flyrod buffs particularly enjoy this little scrapper because of its eagerness to clobber both popping bugs and sinker flies. (See fishing tips for more details)

Ounce-for-ounce, the prolific bluegill is a strong battler when not over-tackled. Those caught will range from just a couple of ounces to an average of 6 to 8 ounces. Heavier fish in the 8- to 12-ounce range frequently occur during bedding activities where an occasional one pounder is not uncommon.

Florida's record blugill scaled 2.95 pounds while the world record for this specie was an impressive Alabama-caught 4 pound, 12 ouncer. To qualify for a "Big Catch" angler recognition certificate, sponsored by eAngler.com, you need to land a bluegill that is at least 11 inches long or 1.25 pounds.

A shellcracker is the Sunshine State's largest "bream" and is easily identified by the red spot at the end of its gill flap. The average size for shellcrackers is about 10 to 12 ounces, but one pounders are frequently caught on beds. Florida's record is 4.86 pounds, while the world record for this specie is a whopping 5 pounds, 3 ounces. The "Big Catch" angler recognition program recognizes catches of redears (shellcrackers) that exceed 2.25 pounds or 12 inches.

Favored live baits on a "shellfish" menu include snails, mussels, earthworms, crickets and grass shrimp. Any small artificial lure that spins or shines, such as a tiny Mepps spinner, will come under attack, as will sinker-type flies used by "wand wavers." Flyrodders can occasionally connect with this hard fighter casting popping bugs too.

Shellcrackers usually hang around areas with soft bottoms, but may also be targeted near grass patches, pads, reeds, snags and stickups. Enough already? Want specifics?

Okay. Here are opinions from Commission fisheries biologists based throughout Florida on which spots they think should be included on our Top 15 Panfish locales (in no particular order) for the year 2000:

ST. JOHNS RIVER (Steve Crawford, 352-742-6438). One of the world's few rivers flowing from north to south, Crawford pinpoints the stretch between Highway 50 and Lake Monroe, especially for bluegill. Also, don't overlook the lower St. Johns from Sanford to Melbourne, and from State Road 520 at Cocoa to State Road 46. A small jonboat is recommended for the latter two places because of low water conditions.

LAKE KISSIMMEE (Marty Mann, 407-846-5300). Numero Uno on the list of biologists Mike Hulon and Sam McKinney, this 35,000-acre gem in central Florida boasts the best bluegill and shellcracker populations just about anywhere following a drawdown a few years ago. Its newly cleared 24 miles of wadeable shoreline, plus its enhanced open areas, gives boaters and waders a super shot at spectacular catches.

LAKE OKEECHOBEE (Dan McCall, 863-462-5190). Even though waters have been held at levels too high for too long, thus killing off large areas of beneficial bottom grasses, the "Big O" still affords bluegill anglers an ample opportunity to fill a stringer, especially in the Rim Canal which encircles the 530-square mile oval. Just don't expect bluegill and shellcracker production to be up to snuff in the lake's vast open portions. NOTE: Unless the current 15.3-foot level isn't lowered soon, Lake Okeechobee may not be included on next year's list.

LAKE KENANSVILLE (Bob Eisenhauer, 407-752-3115). With a new launching ramp and easier access to open water, this 2,500-acre jewel in Indian River County was opened to public fishing in 1996, and will probably remain a bonanza for bluegill buffs for years to come. Here's how to find it: From St. Cloud, take U.S. 441 east for 35 miles to the town of Kenansville and then 1/2 mile south to a graded road on the left (Fellsmere Road). It's an 11-mile jaunt off 441 to the lake and boat ramp.

LAKE PANASOFFKEE (Sam McKinney, 352-732-1225). Now in the process of undergoing one of the nation's most expansive lake renovation projects, shallow Lake Panasoffkee in Sumter County has long been famous for its shellcracker and bluegill production. Shellcrackers are particularly cooperative during spring full-moon periods at Shell Point, Grassy Point and Tracy's Point.

LAKE WALK-IN-WATER (Marty Mann, 407-846-5300). Primarily noted for its world-class bass fishery, W-I-W is also a choice bluegill and shellcracker site, especially during its spawning periods from April through June. Mann suggests the northeast and northwest sides of the lake, along with a shellcracker bedding area off the point at Tiger Creek. Those after bluegills will do well all around the lake's perimeter, but, maybe, even better at the south end and offshore in front of bulrush patches. Alternate contact: Tim Coughlin (863) 648-3202

JOHNS LAKE (Bret Kolterman, 352-732-1225). Fluctuating water levels in recent years have contributed mightily to an outstanding bluegill and shellcracker situation at this 2,424-acre fishin' hole located in Orange and Lake County, one mile west of the Highway 50 Turnpike exit, or five miles east of Clermont off 50. Panfish tend to run larger here with shellcrackers frequently measuring 10 to 12 inches in length.

LAKE TALQUIN (Rich Cailteux, 850-627-9674). Anglers in the Tallahassee area are advised to break out their flyrods, cane poles or light spinning tackle early in spring, because shellcrackers are already bedding and bluegills are fixing to start up soon. What's more, both species should continue biting well throughout the summer months even though water levels might leave something to be desired. Cailteux recommends working the upper end of the reservoir and in the back of various creeks in depths ranging from 3 to 7 feet.

THE FAB FIVE (Jim Sweatman, 407-317-7329). Focusing on Orlando area residents and tourists, these Fab 5 lakes are small, easy-to-reach and convenient-to-fish water bodies that are being managed for optimum panfish production. Lakes in this program include Starke (202 acres) along the City of Ocoee waterfront, Turkey (339 acres) in Turkey Creek Park at the intersection of Hiawassee and Conroy in Orlando, Kirkman Pond (10 acres) near International Drive, Cane-Marsha Park (3 small ponds ranging from 3 to 7 acres) in Orlando, and Clear Lake (313 acres), also near International Drive.

TENOROC (Danon Moxley, 863-499-2421). Arguably the best all-around fishing site in America, this nearly 6,400-acre fish management area located on the outskirts of Lakeland has 14 lakes (with more on the immediate horizon) ranging in size from 7 to 227 acres. Harvest statistics for bluegill and shellcracker show a consistently higher catch ratio here than in any other Florida water body. If there's a "can't miss" place anywhere in the world, it's just got to be Tenoroc, which is open to the public four days a week.

LAKE HARRIS (John Benton, 352-742-6438). If you live in or happen to be visiting the Leesburg area and have a hankering to tussle with some heavier than usual bluegills and shellcrackers, both Big and Little Lake Harris will be to your liking. Some of the better locales include the grassy areas at the far end of Little Lake Harris in 4 to 6 feet of water, plus the lily pads and spatterdock tracts near the 9th St. Canal out from Leesburg. Bluegills also will be found in shallow waters tight to sawgrass shorelines.

LAKE MARIAN (Marty Mann, 407/-846-5300). Although this 5,740-acre "sleeper" lake in Osceola County doesn't receive much notoriety, it's still one of the best panfishing localities in the world, Sweatman enthuses. In past years, shellcrackers have been known to bed later than usual, while bluegills can be gang busters one day and just so-so the next. An angler's best bet might be to tackle Marian during the month's full and new moon periods.

LAKE ISTOKPOGA (Tom Champeau, 863-648-3202). Located a few miles southeast of Sebring, this large, relatively shallow lake gets tons of "ink" for its outstanding bass fishing. However, pananglers can concentrate their efforts from April through June around the inshore and offshore cattail and bullrush areas. In other months, likely spots for blues and shells include Big Island, Grassy Island, Bumble Bee Island, around various sandy bars and along the edges of eelgrass.

LAKE JESSUP (Joe Jenkins, 904-985-7880). Near Sanford, Lake Jessup is widely recognized as a top bluegill and shellcracker hotspot, especially from April through July at the lake's south end. Jenkins advises us to concentrate in sandy areas in or near cattails during low-water periods. When levels are high, both species may be found in and around all types of aquatic vegetation.

CHOCTAWATCHEE RIVER (Fred Cross, 850-819-3456). For river and stream lovers in Florida's Panhandle, this river is ideal, particularly for shellcracker aficionados. Shellcrackers usually bed in quieter waters during April and remain active through the early-fall months. If tooling around in smaller creeks off the main channel and sloughs during the late spring and summer months, be sure to check out redbreast bream, stumpknockers and warmouth perch.