Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

I know this is a bluegill site but just wondered how many fellow walleye fisherman belong to this site. Been gettin a few here and there and just wanted some info from the group.

Views: 795

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I get my share every year about this time, shore casting at night.

awesome!... shallow flats with rapalas?

 

Nice eyes Bill !Yeah, what lures and areas do you catch them .I want to try this at a nearby lake!

I target fall walleyes when surface temps drop below 50 degrees....The areas I fish are basically shallow areas 3-7 ft deep that are affected by wind....night time is key in clear water. These fish have the feed bag on this time of year, and move shallow to feed at night. 20 plus years ago, we used to make our own suspending minnow baits by drilling holes into floating Rapalas, and inserting just enough weight to make the lure suspend.....Nowadays there are countless amounts of suspending baits available to walleye anglers. Bass pro shops makes the XPS suspending minnow that has taken many fish over 8 lbs, and runs about 4 ft deep....Smithwicks Rattlin' Rogue is also a very good bait, it runs 5-7 ft.....one of my favorite baits is the Lucky Craft Flash Minnow 110......it runs 2-3 ft deep. All of these baits suspend when the retrieve is at pause.

 

Wind is your friend, and location is key.....necked down areas, points, and shallow hard bottom flats that have been affected by prevailing winds for 2 days are more will concentrate big fish. Having a small selection of suspending baits that run at different depths will allow you to cover all productive areas. Doug Stange and myself have found that the most productive retrieve is a very slow, and steady retrieve with possibly one or two pauses, no herky jerky presentations....walleyes need to zero in on the bait before they commit......long casts with 6/14 crystal fireline, and steel leaders where toothy critters are present as many 40"+ Muskies have been incidentally caught while shore casting for night eyes.

 

During my pursuit for large walleyes, I have found that the best nights of the season always seem to fall on the 3 days prior to the full moon of November....that would be this Tues, Weds, and Thurs night ( decent weather with overnight lows above 32 degrees must also be worked into the equation)....here's a few pics from a small 77 acre lake that everyone thought only had small walleyes.

Fantastic fish and advice .I really appreciate your reply Bill .Thanks very much!
How can you fish at night, Bill? I can't see the bobber, hook, anything. Do you take lights out? Leave your headlights on?
I am mainly fishing a couple of roller dams right know. Sure love those Sliders awesome plastic.

do you slip float those slider jigs to keep from hanging up or do you fish it on clean bottom?

 

 

I dont use slip float at night! I tried it with little light on top of the float to see in the dark with large minnows but too much work! I like to simple is casting lure like Rapala, jig with twistertail or long thin deep diving crankbait! I caught lot of walleye on slip float during cloudy days around woods in deep water, hump, rock walls and bridge! Large flathead minnows from Fall until Spring and I like leech in the summer! Lot of bass, catfish and nice bluegills on leech while fish for walleye! Always have small flashlight with red cover at night for tie lure, change lure, etc.
Great ,thanks much John!
I am lucky enough to have a roller dam on two different rivers that are good fisheries each only bout 35 min away. I been smacking that 1/8th oz jig directly at the face and hopin for the best while it bounces around for a while. The larger fish of multi-species like that whitewater area for feeding, I think.

Thanks for all the great photos by the way guys

Thanks

RSS

Latest Activity

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

Always Calm Behind Heavy Thunderstorms…..6/17/2025

"We've had nothing but rain here in south-central, PA. The farmers can't plant and…"
6 hours ago
Bruce Tomaselli commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Colorado Spinner gets 3 species

"Nice, John. Is that a generic name or the name of the spinner?"
6 hours ago
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…
19 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Got a window this morning after all the storms the last four days…water falling on the coastal marsh was a beneficial thing with the crappie"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Wanaque river Trout

"Thanks Guys,a leaper from the fast water always excites!"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

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

"Thanks wag….I imagine the summer heat has set in down in Louisiana!"
yesterday
wag commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Monday
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…"
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Ducks in the shade Wanaque river

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

Wanaque river Trout

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

Wanaque river Crappie

"Nice crappie….I like seeing the old school baits…."
Monday
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."
Sunday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Sunday
dick tabbert commented on John Sheehan's photo
Sunday
dick tabbert commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Wanaque river Crappie

"John, nice looking crappie."
Sunday
John Sheehan posted photos
Sunday
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

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service