Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

So many variations of color during the spawn, and even throughout the summer.....does anyone know why?

Views: 1732

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

All of these fish were caught and released from the same bed on the same day

Warning: The following statement is purely speculation.

I think it's the same reason the bucks have different variations of antler size, length, girth, width, etc. Every male is essentially taking his own unique approach to attracting a mate. Different girls like different kinds of guys. Eventually, through selection over hundreds of generations, the males settle on a general theme that advances their species through ability to reproduce effectively. Variation however still drives evolution.
Facinating, and absolutely logical!
I am curious as to the relationship between changing light conditions and fish coloration...Sun going in and out of the clouds and how we percieve or see fish color and how fish may react "emotionally" and express their colors along with the changes...I am curious but dont know anything.. Ha !
Bruce, interesting explanation. Following your logic, now I have another excuse for going bald....I need to set myself apart from other males!!
I can agree with Bruce's logic, however - Bluegills are like a "Living Mood Ring" - and their color at any given time seems to reflect their dispoition.

I think it would be very interesting to tag a few 'gills - and catch the same ones at different times, photgraph them and see if they, themselves have different colors at different times - or see if they seem to adopt a specific color scheme.

Great pics BTW

FH
Farm Hunter, that's a very good spin on the subject. Good discussion.
I have a gill in an aquarium for this reason. AND YES THE MOON HAS AN EFFECT ON THE COLOR! If I keep the temp at the 72 mark he throws on a bright chest 3 days before the full moon.
HAAAAAA.... HAAAA HAAAAA! Thats awsume. I will have to remember this one to tell other folks. Oh Lucky me. Wheres some wood to knock on. Im blessed with the I need a hair cut every other week people! I love the glass half full aproach though!
Well now, IMPO, sure, I think that the fishes mood, the water temp, whether or not the fish is spawning, etc, will affect the fishes coloration.

> However, I think if you look at a fish (just for an example, lets say, like shot #4 from above) at different times, it's color would range from darker, more colorful, and with more contrast, to paler, with less contrast.....

But I do not think and individual fish would vary from say the colors of fish #4, to say, fish #3.

I could be wrong, but I'd almost bet my new truck on it :-)

Peace,
Fish
I like some others don't have an explanation. Beautiful pictures of the different phases however.
Bill, Bob Davis from the Rock Lake area. Didn't know how to email you so decided to jump in and let you know the big gills are staging for suspension right now. They are being taken in 12-15 feet of water on the edges of most of the drop-offs and out on the structures that are about that depth. Also I'm off work the entire week of June 29th thru July 3rd so will be fishing most of those days if you're interested in coming up this way. You have my phone #. Sincerely, Bob

RSS

Latest Activity

John Sheehan posted photos
22 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Quality Gills…Caught and Released….7/9/2025

"Thanks Bruce…..I think they’re here for the Buck moon tomorrow and a week from now…"
Thursday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Beautiful Crappie Replica Mounts…..7/9/2025

"I thought they tuned out great…..the tuxedo crappie looks real…."
Thursday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Wednesday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"We’re in another heat wave so I got to my first spot ten minutes before sunrise….left the ramp at 5:30 and back on the trailer at 8:30…"
Wednesday
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…"
Jul 7
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…"
Jul 7
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…"
Jul 6
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Jul 6
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…"
Jul 6
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…"
Jul 6
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Jul 6
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…"
Jul 6
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…"
Jul 6
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…"
Jul 6

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service