Pan Man: Remembering Frank DeFrancisco and his fishing and teaching

Frank “Pan Man” DeFrancisco with a crappie from on May, 3, 2020 from Lake Sedgewick in Orland Park; “Frank would say Sock O Lay!,” Billy Miller said. “Frank was a big fan of Wally Marshall.” Sac-a-lait is the Cajun term for crappie.   | Provided by Billy Miller

“Pan Man” is gone.

Frank DeFrancisco, one of Chicago’s best anglers, died Tuesday.

“He could catch crappie out of a pothole,” Dale Rehus posted.

“He fished seven days a week,” Chicago fireman Billy Miller said. “His true love was crappie, white and black crappie. Frank would say Sock O Lay! Frank was a big fan of Wally Marshall.”

Sac-a-lait is the Cajun term for crappie.

“The best outing we had was at Tampier at last light,” recalled George Johnston, who fished with Mr. DeFrancisco often after work. “We were targeting walleyes and crappies. Frank pulled in walleyes one after another, and he made it look so effortless.”

“The Pan Man,” 68, a retired Cicero worker, was a great teacher, too.

Years ago, he was on perch panels at shows with Ken Schneider, Frank Brzycki and the late Chuck Thompson. Mr. DeFrancisco appeared regularly on Midwest Outdoors shows and in print; as well as in Outdoor Notebook.

Miller said it was easy to know when “Pan Man” was at a fishing spot because of his black Honda CR-V with a crappie on it and the “Pan Man 2” license plate.

Frank “Pan Man” DeFrancisco at Burnham Harbor with his easily identifiable car.

“I will always remember how much you were willing to share you’re knowledge of panfishing,” Angelo “Stackem” Garcia posted. “I will treasure the notes you have given me to share with others. You pushed me to start Wackem and Stackem Custom Baits in the parking lot of Pete’s.”

“He pretty much taught me how to fish Lake Michigan for jumbo perch and fall kings,” Rehus noted.

Steve Palmisano at Henry’s Sports and Bait said he was still coming in regularly.

“I would get him Shakespeare Wild Series rods,” Palmisano said.

Tributes are on his Facebook page. No other arrangements are known.

A classic photo of Frank “Pan Man” DeFrancisco.