Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Hi Everyone,
Just had a quick question. I never thought about using crickets before for bluegill but what a great idea. I might have to try it next time I go. Just a quick question.
Where do you hook crickets?
I have never used them before but I am willing to trying it out and see what I can catch. Let me know
Thanks
Scott

Views: 1601

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Yes the Eagle Claw 215 is the Cricket hook. They come in size 4,6,8,10
And its sharp 2! My fav size is a #8. If crappie are in the same hole then I go to a true turn long shank #4. Its kinda small as most people prefer a #2 for crappie but it gets the job done and I can still harvest the smaller bluegill. If the crappie are getting in the mix a slower down fall a side to side or a lift on the cork means its most likely a crappie so I letem swallow it so I can get a good hook set.

Theres your hook tip of the day!
I was thinking about a drop of superglue on back hardshell cricket then put bottom edge of hook on the superglue and wait for a few seconds then ready to go. It would keep cricket alive much longer but will it work? Might need a small file to remove old superglue on the hook before add new cricket with a drop of fresh Superglue. Sounds might work but be careful with Superglue!
Theres this stuff called bait stick. You just dip your hook in and then dip the coated hook in the cricket bucket. Ive never used it but according to the website theres some pretty good reviews on it. Try it out and let us know.
I will admit that I've learned a lot of new stuff on this website. But "bait stick" blows my mind.

Wish I'd've thought of it.
Its pretty cool stuff but it takes to long to use and it makes a big mess. Just stick that joker and ROLL ON!
I have a friend who uses plastic crickets on jig heads for crappie he is a awsome crappie fisherman, he orders them by the thousand, really, so I would think gills would respond to them as well.
What brand plastic cricket does he use ?
I am stunned that there are brands of "plastic crickets". I googled and found one on Cabelo's. D & J Plastic Cricket. The following is a review on that page. It sounds like one of my reviews for gulp! Yes the reviewer is from Alabama. No I don't know him.

JLCFosters from Fosters, Alabama


"I've had absolutely no success with the product. I used them on an outing when I had both live and the artificial crickets. I constantly had success with the live cricket. But, whenever I placed the artifical cricket on, I had no bites! I would then change back to the live bait and the fish would immediately bite again. At one time I placed the artifical cricket on along with a live cricket. The fish would take the live, but not the artifical cricket."

Get REAL John. Real crickets that is.
More than a few folks have brought Crickets to fish in my ponds and all have struck out. For some reason BGs in my ponds shun Crickets. Worms always work. There are lots of places on Kentucky & Barkley Lakes that Crickets are the preffered bait and many a BIG BG has been taken on them.

I wonder what makes the difference?

Clint in far west Kentucky
Whats the weather like when they bring the buggers. If its cold then crickets aint worth a flip! They go into a deep sleep when there exposed to those colder temps and just look like a dead blob on the end of a hook. Worms can take that colder water temp and are able to get there wiggle on wich triggers that oh so famous bobber poppin reaction. I dont have any scientific studys or pages of reserch to prove it just trial and error from bluegill fishin 3 days a week for the past year now.
Sounds like match the hatch and seasonal availability is KEY .I have a Crayfish ...excuse me CRAWFISH pattern on a certain brook that works for trout but it's a June thing.

RSS

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Under a Dock….6/21/2025

"Appreciate it John…..fish was very shallow roaming looking for herring fry……."
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Under a Dock….6/21/2025

"Thanks Bruce…..these fish grow well on the available forage, crabs, shrimp, herring, shad…"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Tuesday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Under a Dock….6/21/2025

"Biggest perch I've ever seen."
Tuesday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Under a Dock….6/21/2025

"And this one is producing a lot of eggs for the future.."
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Another Male With the Copper Mask…..6/22/2025

"Thanks Dick….I’m always amazed at our local populations of Coppernose….."
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Monday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Under a Dock….6/21/2025

"looks like some good genetics there."
Monday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Monday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Beautiful Grape Faced Male Coppernose…..6/22/2025

"Thanks Bruce…..we are blessed to have such a huge population of Coppernose in northeast…"
Monday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Monday
John Sheehan posted a photo

Colorado Spinner gets 3 species

So far this year, this little cost-effective Colorado spinner has gotten many a Bluegill as well as…
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Joe and I got in a morning trip ahead of the heat wave….a mix of 64 fish with mostly Coppernose in a sandy creek channel…..82 degree water…"
Saturday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Colorado Spinner gets 3 species

"Sorry Bruce! A before Coffee reply to your question was addressed to Dick! Giving these Colorado…"
Jun 20

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service