Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

I have read a few discussions and see lots of great photos of and about gilling with crankbaits. They are loads of fun! I want to pass along a trick I started doing many years ago. Most bluegill size cranks have the smallest trebels known to man on them, makes sense. Problem is getting those trebels out without causing damage to the gills mouth and your fingers. To resolve that issue, I like to remove all tiny trebels, especialy the front one, if it has one, and replace them or it with the smallest circle hook I can find. You want to use the smallest because bigger hooks may throw off the action of the crankbait. Play around with it. You will catch just as many fish, if not more! The reason more, is you'll be able to get the fish released quicker!

Views: 189

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Clueless here, what's a circle hook?

Boogieman
Will any make circle hook do...are the eyes big enough to go around an o ring?
John, I like Owner's Mosquito circle hooks size 10. Gamagaktzu makes the Octopus circle hook as well. It takes some finessing to get them on. It is easier to get smaller split rings, thread the hook on the ring, and then thread the ring on the crankbait.
I did something similar yrs ago with my smallest Rapala's. though I replaced stock mini trebles with doubles one size larger. Yeah, them tiny trebles are a pain. steve b
Hi Patrick,

Normally, crankbaits come with 2 treble hooks, one on front and the other on the tail.
So, do I need to remove all of them and place one circle hook on the tail side only leaving front of the body without a hook?

I have noticed that Bill "Musky" Mod recommended size 6 O'Shaughney hook wiht long shank on the spoons. Do you think it would work well also on the cranks or do you have any particular reason to use Mosquito circle hooks?

James
Hi there James! You are exactly right! No hook on the front (toward the head) of the bait. Crankbaits are going to be considered a big meal for a gill and from my expeirences 98% of the time they are caught by the rear hook. I like circle hooks because they require virtualy no hook set and the hook lands in the corner of the mouth all the time! Good luck, friend!
Thanks a lot for the nice tip.
I can't wait to try it.

James

RSS

Latest Activity

John Sheehan posted photos
17 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Good Shoulders. On this One….6/12/2025

This was a fun day…..80 black crappie dominated this party…
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Finally got a low wind morning on the coastal marsh….coangler and I had falling wind tide and the tidal crappie were chewing.. this was fun!"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
Troy Dorman commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Beautiful Coppernose Which Just Pushed Shallow This Week….6/9/2025

"Thanks Tracy……all of these fish were released and I hope to see them again…"
Wednesday
tracy willis commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Tuesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Tuesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Tuesday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Fish of Dreams on the Albemarle…..6/9/2025

"Thanks Troy…..major league fishing were on Kentucky and Barkley lakes this…"
Monday
Troy Dorman commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Beautiful Coppernose Which Just Pushed Shallow This Week….6/9/2025

Out of 61 male Coppernose, over half were ten inch class….an amazing thing in public waters
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"After a week of warm nights and high humidity, our bluegill push shallow for the strawberry moon is in full swing…caught 61 Coppernose today"
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Few More Ahead of the Coastal Storm…..6/5/2025

"Thanks Dick…..we finally have heat and humidity so plenty of thunderstorms but no…"
Monday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service