Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

I fished one of my favorite lakes today: Lake Manatee, located nine miles east of Interstate 75 off State Road 64 in eastern Manatee County. It's about 25 miles from my house.
I've been fishing this lake regularly for the past three years and it has been productive.
Today was no exceptions. Fishing wasn't fast, but it was steady. I caught a lot of quality fish.
I used my FLY (Fuzzy Leach Yarn) Nymph on a No. 8 hook. First time for this fly. I was about ready to give it up when I hooked the first decent fish.
Ended up catching some nice bluegill, speckled perch (black crappie), golden shiners and bass (all small).
I used a 1-weight fly rod with 3.5-pound leader. I put a striked indicator about three feet above the fly.
The tilipia probably went 4, 4.5 pounds. Put up a terrific fight. So did the specks, which average about 1 1/2 pounds.
Lake Manatee is a wonderful lake and I love fishing there.

Speckled perch:


Tilapia:


Another nice speck:


Bluegill:

Views: 429

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Sounds like a great fishery you have there Steve. They must be loving that buggy pattern. Great photos.
How does one get the drool off the keyboard???? lol ole Mike
That tilapia is a horse!

You've got a real knack for beautiful photos. That coppernose bluegill practically jumps off the web page at me!!! I also think that I can see the reflection of the horizon in that crappie's eyes.

Beautiful.
Nice fish, what are you fishing out of ?
I fish out of a Native Watercraft Ultimate 14.5.
Wow!......That big ole Gill is really dark...the resolutions are fantastic!.......now I need a new camera.

RSS

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
7 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Tagging Black Crappie on Shallow Wood…..6/12/2025

"Thanks Dick…..got a few areas that remain productive for shallow crappie… never…"
7 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Ducks in the shade Wanaque river

"Always enjoy nature when I get out…."
7 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Wanaque river Trout

"Good job with the Colorado spinner….."
7 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Wanaque river Crappie

"Nice crappie….I like seeing the old school baits…."
7 hours ago
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Tagging Black Crappie on Shallow Wood…..6/12/2025

"Looks like the crappie bite is on."
yesterday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
dick tabbert commented on John Sheehan's photo
yesterday
dick tabbert commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Wanaque river Crappie

"John, nice looking crappie."
yesterday
John Sheehan posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Good Shoulders. On this One….6/12/2025

This was a fun day…..80 black crappie dominated this party…
Thursday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Thursday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Thursday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Thursday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Finally got a low wind morning on the coastal marsh….coangler and I had falling wind tide and the tidal crappie were chewing.. this was fun!"
Thursday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thursday
Troy Dorman commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thursday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Beautiful Coppernose Which Just Pushed Shallow This Week….6/9/2025

"Thanks Tracy……all of these fish were released and I hope to see them again…"
Wednesday
tracy willis commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Jun 10

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service