Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Well the Summer here in Michigan is going fast,and so is catching gills.The drop shot is working once again.My rig is 2 truturn hooks,size 8.The first hook off bottom should be about a foot up.Because I found out bottom weeds will snag the hook otherwise.I would like to hear from other users of this rig.I went home with 25 yesterday,all on this rig.Good fishing everyone,and remember,if you don't MAKE time to fish,you'll never go!!

Views: 473

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

What are you baiting with and can we see a picture of how your rig this?
I also live in Michigan and have fished in the lakes around Brooklyn for many years. I have not used the precise drop shot rigging but my summer time tactic is much the same. I also prefer a turturn hook in a size 8 or 10. I tie the hook to the end of the line. Eighteen inches up I attach a small swivel. Above the swivel a small bead and above it a cone shaped sliding sinker, starting with a quarter oz. and adjusting to lake conditions.

I prefer using small night crawlers or leaf worms. A key part of this technique is to hook the worm head first through the tip of the nose. Earthworms have a muscular pharynx in this region and the worm will stay on the hook surprisingly well. The gills suck these babies in like noodles.

This works best in deeper water. I usually start with a very slow drift or troll while rowing the boat. The second I get a bite or catch a fish I anchor. This never seems to scatter the fish. I then drop the line straight down until it hits the bottom then pull up about two feet leaving the bait about 6 inches off the bottom.

When the bite stops I then cast (more of a lob) on all sides of the boat letting the rig sink close to the bottom and then slowly reel in. If I don't get anymore bites it's time to start rowing again. This has been a very effective method of fishing for me and Bill I don' think we are far apart in our approach to Michigan gills.
Hey Jeremy,my oldest son is same name.Thanks for the info.Tomorrow I am going to troll for panfish.I have so many lures and have not ever used them.I'm retired now,so no excuses,right? I will be on a lake that is a challenge this time of year.It is 40+ feet in the middle,and about 50 acres.Big panfish have been caught here.Saw a picture of a gill at 13+ inches,and a crappie 18 inches.I have been reading on trolling,so wish me luck!!
How do you attach the hook/lure ? Which knot ? steve b
I tie a foot up the line with a polomer knot.I also use a red bead above that as an attracter.round sinkers also,so they won't snag.Hold your rod at 45 degrees,wait for the line twitch,and hang on.Your Welcome!! Now go get em!!!
I always have a panfish rod rigged with a dropshot. I use a very simple presentation which is a "downsized" version of what I use for bass fishing. I use a size 8, long shank, gold Aberdeen hook. I use a Palomar knot and leave about 2 - 3 feet of line below the hook. I use a 1/8 ounce drop shot weight. Drop shot weights are great because you can adjust your depth without having to re-tie. I tip the hook with crawler chunks and at times, add a small piece of plastic for color. I typically use 4 lb. mono; however, I will be setting up another panfish dropshot rod using braided line. Here is a great web site for tying the Palomar knot: http://www.animatedknots.com/palomar/index.php

Simply cast out, allow it to get to the bottom, slowly retrieve, keep the rod at an angle (app. 45 degrees), and twitch the rod tip every so often.

RSS

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
Thumbnail

THIS COLOR COMBINATION SEEMS TO WORK THIS YEAR

"Glad you’ve had success with it………I always use pink to locate…"
1 hour ago
DAVID L EITUTIS commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
Thumbnail

THIS COLOR COMBINATION SEEMS TO WORK THIS YEAR

"Thanks for the  comment jeffrey, it has worked in the past but seems to work berret this year…"
1 hour ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Great Habitat on the Albemarle Estuary…….7/20/2025

Always search for clues to why you’re catching fish in the area you’re in when so many areas look…
2 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Beautiful 9” Class Warmouth……7/19/2025

Growing up in southeastern Louisiana the two most abundant species of sunfish in the bayous and…
15 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
19 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
Thumbnail

THIS COLOR COMBINATION SEEMS TO WORK THIS YEAR

"Bleeding pink Silent Stinger and all pink jigs work on multi species in brackish water…..I…"
19 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Nice Round Specimen…..7/19/2025

Bleeding 🩸 tail working in the cypress roots……all of the coastal counties in the northeastern part…
23 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Some Bleeding 🩸 Coppernose Behind Last Week’s Buck Moon…7/19/2025

"The busted fins are also a dead giveaway to colonizing gills….."
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
DAVID L EITUTIS posted photos
yesterday
DAVID L EITUTIS commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
Thumbnail

AN LATER SHOT OF THIS FISH BEFORE IT WENT IN THE FREEZER FOR A MOUNT

"it won't be back from the taxidermist till this coming winter some time, I CAN'T WAIT TO…"
yesterday
DAVID L EITUTIS commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Pleasantly surprised with a multi species morning totaling 78 fish…..we've had a week of thunderstorms and triple digit heat index. Wet July"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
Thumbnail

AN LATER SHOT OF THIS FISH BEFORE IT WENT IN THE FREEZER FOR A MOUNT

"Very good! These fish fight so hard……can’t wait to see the art work…."
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
Thumbnail

DSCN1061a nice gill on the old fly rod

"On the fly rod…….love it…."
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
Thumbnail

PERSONAL BEST FOR ME AN HONEST 11 " RED EAR

"Beautiful Tooty…thanks for sharing….."
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
Thumbnail

PERSONAL BEST FOR ME AN HONEST 11 " RED EAR

"Good Man ,Tooty . Congrats!"
yesterday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service