Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Late last summer my pond turned over and I lost most of the largest bluegill and bass.  Since then the small bluegill population has exploded and they are very skinny due to over population and lack of food.  I haven't caught a bass larger than 6 or 7" and I am importing 1-1.5 lb. bass from other ponds to help get the bluegill back under control.  I also started feeding them.  The only food I could find initially was Sportsman's Choice catfish feed.  The bluegill eat it well but since have found a multi-species food.  I do have channel cat in the pond (I put 50 10 inchers in almost 2 years ago) so they are eating the food as well.  Since I can't selectively feed the bluegill one type of food and the catfish another I was wondering how much it matters which type of feed I use.  The bluegill have responded well to the catfish feed as they aren't as skinny as they were a few weeks ago.  Would appreciate any feedback anyone has on this.

Thanks!

Views: 1388

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Phil;; ask Tony Livingston;; Walt Foreman; or Dick Tabbert;; all of these guys have ponds;; and raise blue gill..

Asking which feed is best is about like asking which is better....Ford or Chevy....you're going to hear a lot of opinions! Nevertheless, there are a few constants. Bluegills will grow well on 32-36% protein feed, which is commonly what is found off the shelf in box farm stores. I suppose it also depends on the level of seriousness(?). By that, I mean are larger bluegills for a moderate investment the goal, or are trophy bluegill wall-hangers in the hopeful forecast?

A lot of folks, myself included, feed a higher protein feed which gets the bulk of it's protein from fishmeal, rather than a plant or poultry based subject. As an example, chicken feathers are high in protein, but are difficult for a fish to digest. A top shelf feed will probably have fishmeal listed in the first 2-3 ingredients on the label, and have a 40-45% protein level. The price will reflect that, so factor that into your plans as well.

Species wise, most feed one product and let everything that wants too, eat it. The more important aspect, is pellet size. Ideally, you should feed a pellet the same approx. sixe as the eyeball on your target species. Some will feed a product that has multiple pellet sizes in the bag, like Purina Gamefish Chow, while others will mix feed of different sizes.

I normally feed Purina Aquamax, which is available in many different sizes. Cargill makes a similar feed, as does Skretting. I'm currently involved in field testing a new feed, specifically formulated for bluegills....the first of its kind. My fish go crazy for it, and it reportedly will help encourage longer lifespans by building healthier fish. So far so good.

RSS

Latest Activity

John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's status
"We are exploring/learning the three permit lakes late in life. Today was Canistear Reservoir. Hot…"
Tuesday
John Sheehan posted a status
"Just dink smallmouths and Largemouth Bass for Greg and I, fishing a third Reservoir this year."
Tuesday
John Sheehan posted photos
Tuesday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Sunrise Shellcracker…..7/23/2025

"I love your kind of fishing!"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Sunrise Shellcracker…..7/23/2025

"I’m very fortunate that the fishing  in coastal North Carolina is so great and most…"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

JULYWP

"Summer colors on this white perch!"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

JULYP

"Nice Yellow John….good colors"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Often bass fisherman will catch Warmouth on 9” worms……..they. don’t fight…"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"This is a great comparison John…..I added another photo to give perspective….."
Sunday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Sunrise Shellcracker…..7/23/2025

"I sure envy you, enjoy!"
Sunday
John Sheehan replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Hey Jeffrey! Does the Warmouth have about the same sized Mouth as a Black Crappie of equal size, or…"
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Jul 23
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Some quality Warmouth I caught in my early years on the Albemarle….."
Jul 23
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
Jul 23
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
Jul 23
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Jul 23
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Thanks for sharing John……you have patterned your available species pretty good over…"
Jul 23
John Sheehan replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Only caught five of these Species up here in New Jersey. Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Red Breasted…"
Jul 23
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Crackers Saved This Morning Behind A Cold Front…..7/23/2025

If I get out the remainder of July it will probably be a crappie stalk on the coastal marsh……
Jul 23
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Jul 23

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service