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: 2844

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

John Sheehan posted a photo
53 minutes ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Great Fish That Has Begun Working Shallow….5/19/2025

If you look closely above the tail fin you can see the scuffs and missing scales of a nest…
22 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

The Masked Monarch Coppernose…..5/19/2025

Give me a couple of these fish and I celebrate any fishing trip……a beautiful 10 inch class male..
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Very Fortunate to be Able to Fish Quality Like This…5/19/2025

I never saw another vessel on the water for the four hours I was out…
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
"Had a beautiful May morning, light westerly winds…62 degree air temperature, 74 degree water at normal levels…slightly stained..let’s go!!!"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Well it’s official, after 42 years I’m retired….time to go fishing!"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

This One Got the Kinks Out….5/18/2025

Beautiful flexed out Shellcracker…..
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Had a decent morning on the water despite the turbulent weather this week….many areas stained but found a productive creek….39 fish mixed"
Sunday
John Sheehan posted a photo
Friday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

An Athletic leaper

"Vacuumed sealed for now ,Jeff. Those Colorado spinners are very effective for Trout and Pan Fish…"
May 14
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Nice Male Coppernose……5/13/2025

"Thanks wag…..growing up in southeast Louisiana I can remember the spring rains and our…"
May 14
wag commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Nice Male Coppernose……5/13/2025

"Yeap it's beginning in Louisiana but with high muddy water everywhere with all the heavy rain.…"
May 14
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
May 13

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service