Do you love big bluegill?

Anybody smack'in big one through the ice?

Just wondering if you guys hit the hard water and if you are doing any good? I have been doing ok when I cab get out, but not many hogs.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tony on February 1, 2009 at 6:33am

hey everyone im new to your site and think its the coolist thing ever.i live in bloomington il. its about 1.5 hour drve south of chicago i my self havent had a chance to hit the hard warter but my bubbys keep tlling me they are bringing them home by the bucketful at lake evergreen and dawson lake in 8 to 10 feet of water on small jigs and berkley gulp maggots. if there is anyone out there from my area drop me a line il bite

Permalink Reply by Mark on February 2, 2009 at 8:35am

I fish the central part of Indiana. Haven't had a chance but once and did pretty good. Mostly 7-8" range. A friend of mine has been out 3-4 times and they slayed'em! Around the Hartford City area.(can't give exact location, I might get shot) I have been using the gulp stuff, started using it last fall. I have to say it works pretty well. But I still love my spikes! Add those little babies to a verticle jig(mostly orange and green) and I seem always to go home with a bucket full.

Permalink Reply by John Sheehan on February 2, 2009 at 9:39am

I have caught zip on Berkley Gulp maggots.If I don't tip my jigs with mealworms or waxies I dont catch Blue Gills,fish for that matter.I've gotten 15 this year through the ice on small ,medium to fairly large jigs.Orange ,Orange and black and even took one on a Hildebrandt spoon with a meal worm and a waxworm on it.

Permalink Reply by Tony on February 2, 2009 at 4:51pm

went out from2-430pm to a small pond on the edge of bloomington il, ihad only fished this pond twice ever this past summer with moderate success but i got skunked today but all i took with was gulp maggots. iguess i should have known better thats what i get from listening to my drunk fishin buddys.i plan to try again tomorrow with waxies and small minnows try for a good mix bag of crappi and gill ihope some one eles had better luck than me today if so lets hear about it

Permalink Reply by John Sheehan on February 2, 2009 at 5:25pm

Hey Tony ...At least you went and thats not time wasted!

Permalink Reply by Bill "Musky" Modica on February 2, 2009 at 7:49pm

Friends and I did well last weekend on spoons in North central Illinois.

Permalink Reply by Bruce Condello on February 2, 2009 at 7:53pm

Cool hat.

Permalink Reply by Jim Gronaw on February 2, 2009 at 8:19pm

Hey Bill...looks like you and your gang have got it together on the hardwater. Hopin to try a local pond 5 min from the house sometime this week if the ice holds up, did have 5 in before it got warm. I fished there 2 weeks ago and got 4 gills to 9 in and 4 bass of about a pound.

Permalink Reply by Bill "Musky" Modica on February 3, 2009 at 5:58am

I wish we had the same ice conditions....15+ inches makes for one serious yearning for the turning!

Permalink Reply by John Sheehan on February 3, 2009 at 8:11am

Great photos and great fish! What kinda spoons were you using? Soon I'll be posting some photos of jigs and spoons that have been catching fish for me.

Permalink Reply by Bill "Musky" Modica on February 3, 2009 at 8:43pm

These are my favorite spoons....all have been rigged with a single hook and are regulary presented during open water on braided line with fluorocarbon leaders.

These are all proven big Bluegill lures.....notice the scratches on the 1/4 oz Swedes, all from big Bluegill attacks in deep water.....see rest of story here,

Permalink Reply by Bill "Musky" Modica on February 3, 2009 at 9:21pm