Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Hey Guys and Gals...

I have been searching the net for likely spots to catch trophy gills in our country and came up with Escambia County Lake, also known as Leon Brooks Hines Lake, in southern Alabama. Recent catches in the past two years have produced cn bluegills to almost 2 1/2 pounds and a lake record red ear sunfish of 3 pounds and 13 ounces, caught this past spring.

This is a 185 acre lake with some facilities like boat ramp and concession/bait shop. It has Only daytime hours and they vary throughout the seasons. It is located near the Florida border in Conecuh National Forrest. I think the park is currently closed on Weds and Thurs. There appears to be a variety of local regulations on this water, so a call to the park manager (251) 809-0068 would be a wise move if anybody is interested.

If you google 'trophy bluegill photos' you will see some of those giant gills. This may well be a small public waterway that has all the components to yield world class gills in a public venue. Numerous 10 to 13 pound largemouths are caught there as well.

This one, I think, is still under the radar. Check it out!

Views: 2657

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

IF AT FIRST YOU DONT SUCCEED !!!!!! TRY TRY AGAIN!

Boogie on down my friend
Mayo
Boogieman,

I'm coming down to Panama City in Feb., my grandma has a condo down there. Would that be a good time to hit some of those lakes you're talking about? I won't have a boat, so it'll have to be a little bank fishing. I'd love to catch some hog shellcrackers and big gills. I go right through Defuniak Springs and also go through Florala where there's a big lake behind that Hardee's. That lake looks good from the road and that's a cool town too. 55 from Georgiana runs me through those little towns. Anyway, coming down for my birthday, Valentines day, and I'd love to wet a line. What would you suggest?
Come on down Troy. Mid February is still a little early in my mind for gettin' on 'em but what do I know. Depends on the weather, might be some crackers bedding that early. I'll put on my thinking cap and see what I can recommend later this month. I've never heard of anything coming out of the lake in Florala. In the warm months it's too busy with water toys. Escambia would have some decent bank fishing areas near the bait shop as would most county lakes in Alabama. A lot of them also have rental john boats and trolling motors. i'll see what I can find closer to PC for you and get back to you.

Boogieman
Hey Troy, keep us posted on the exact dates of your visit. I gotta do a little work on my boat, but hope to have it ready before then. Like Boogieman said, it all depends on the weather at the time, but we might can find a puddle to drag a line through. ;-)
Hey Boogieman or Jeremy...can you guys offer some info for Troy here about the best timing for gills and crackers in y'alls area? What I am hearing is that March and April will have fish near the banks. Jim
http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/where/lakes/escambia/

heres the web site to find out everything you need from maps to times, managers, rates, rules and baits!
The best time to catch bluegills and red ear's is WHEN YOU CAN!!!!!
NAAA ITS JUST GOTTA BE WET!

RSS

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Nesting Pair of Ospreys......

"Yeah most nests are not this close to the water and this river is remote with alligators and large…"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Nesting Pair of Ospreys......

"Guess the Osprey knew it was a great spot too. The Cormorants up here are murder on the stocked…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Nesting Pair of Ospreys......

"This was a great fishing spot for me until the osprey nested……I’ve seen chicks…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

So many spots to place your bait...

"These cypress trees are now in the water….still producing great fishing…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

The big Cypress downed by a Hurricane.....

"This is a good example John…..I posted this picture in 2012 and a couple weeks ago I caught…"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"Thanks John…..being in the south we’re always drawn to cypress trees and the…"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"Nice info, Jeffrey! Up here my main Crappie habits have been wood cover near deep water and willow…"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

My Dad Doesn't know Where to Cast Next.......

"This is my dad who loved fishing…..this cove is similar to the one with all cattails but in…"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"I think all fresh water fish like to relate to cattails…..the most cattails I’ve ever…"
Sunday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"Up here the Pickerel can be found by Cattails and other tall reed areas. The first spawning…"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

This is always a great spot with cypress, cattails and now a blooming hibiscus..next time I’m there…
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Fish Attractant in the Coastal N.C. Marsh…..7/4/2025

"Thanks John…anytime you get close to them there’s hundreds of different insects…"
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Joe Struck Copper on a Sand Bar….7/5/2025

The wind was building on the main river so we splashed back to the ramp after 42 gills, 1 bullhead…
Saturday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Fish Attractant in the Coastal N.C. Marsh…..7/4/2025

"Good work on finding fish habitat!"
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Pretty Masked Copper Shallow ……7/5/2025

Preparing for next week’s buck moon on 7/10……
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Up early this morning, heard we were going to have a tropical storm in the Carolina’s…so Joe and I went and burned some crickets…"
Saturday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service