If the BorderLayout option provided by our friends doesnot work, try adding ComponentListerner to the JFrame and implement the componentResized(event) method. When the JFrame object will be resized, this method will be called. So if you write the the code to set the size of the JPanel in this method, you will achieve the intended result.
Ya, I know this 'solution' is not good but use it as a safety net. ;)