Where are all the panfish?

[Lhersh]

I've been fishing the Conestoga and lower Susquehanna river (falmouth to safe harbor) the last couple years for smallmouth and It seems to be a down year for smallies overall although it's picked up recently. However, I was wondering where are all the other panfish/redeye's etc- I see a lot of carp but not much else. I haven't caught any other bycatch when going after smallmouth this year and it was pretty bad last year too - is it the flatheads or just me?

 

[sandflyx]

flatheads need to eat.

 

[barrybarry]

I agree with the panfish statement. There are two answers: flatheads and people fishing for panfish as bait for flatheads. Also, there seem to be quite a few Cormorants this year.
It hasn't been a bad year for Smallies for me.