Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

If I could remember the lake or pond where I caught them I would have a better idea. That's what happens when your memory starts going. lol

I'm sure this is a bluegill because I caught it in a Michigan lake.


This fish was taken in Alabama but I can't remember where, One of the ponds I fished has both copper nose and regular bluegills. It is however darker than most bluegills. What do you think?


This fish came from down south and I'm pretty sure it is a shellcracker and I think you will confirm that.


I'm not sure about this one, but I suspect it is a copper nose. I think it came from Georgia.


Anyway it was something to do on a cool rainy day. My river is almost over its banks after the last 3 day warm up and most of the snow is gone too. Snow is in the forcast for tonight. Cabin fever!

On the positive side, the high water will draw the steelhead up. The river is closed until April 1st, but that isn't far away.

Views: 2841

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

1. Standard bluegill--dominant younger male, probably currently nest guarding.

2. Standard bluegill--dominant older male, not currently nest guarding.

3. Redear sunfish (shellcracker)--female

4. Standard bluegill X coppernose bluegill hybrid--male. Seems to have mostly standard characteristics, however appears to have the white fin fringe of CNBG.

Just guesses. Anybody else?
bruce hit the nail on the head 100 percent
I agree with you Bruce
Casey
I don't believe #3 is a shellcracker due to the lack of mottling in the facial area....possibly BGxPS cross
Whats a PS?
Pumpkin Seed, I think.
Just for the heck of it, here's a photo of a purebred RES caught on my farm.

This is another picture of the same fish. Looks like the one in your picture Bruce except the gill flap on yours is red and kind of yellow on mine. Could be a cross, but since I haven't caught as many as you guys, I'll leave it up to you. The fish is about 12" if that helps.

Good photo. There's a lot of variability in eartab coloration on pure redears. I strongly suspect a pure female redear, but oftentimes you can get fish that are hybrids that strongly resemble one of the parent species, or you can get a fish that has maybe 1/16 or 1/32 of a particular parent----it's very hard to tell, and truly a guessing game. It's fun, but difficult to prove either way.
This pic is much more defining.....female RES.
ray that is a female chink for sure,and good eaten too.






gators are ugly
Very helpful, so much in fact, I have a couple more. This is just a guess, but I think this fish is a green sunfish?


This fish I caught in southern Flordia. I'm saying it's a bluegill, but the southern fish seem to be darker than the bluegills in Michigan. Are they a different strain?

RSS

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
16 minutes ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
19 minutes ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Caught Some Slabs Today….4/5/2025

"Although black crappie tend to run smaller than their cousins the white crappie , this is a great…"
2 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Last Fish of the Trip….4/6/2025

It was already 84 degrees headed to 90 today….
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
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
"We knew it was going to be tough today with gusts over. 30 knots.but good surface temperatures of 68 helped…couldn’t fish where I was 4/5/25"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's status
"Just a perfect day….water level…..perfect color…….a little…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Very Nice Perch This Morning……4/5/2025

"I agree Bruce, the bands seemed very distinctive on this one…."
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's status
"Amazing numbers and good variety!"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Very Nice Perch This Morning……4/5/2025

These fish were hitting very shallow as well….
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Special morning on the Albemarle…..44 black crappie, 21 copper nose, 9 largemouth and 5 yellow perch…surface temperatures up to 70 already…"
Saturday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service