Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

I keep finding these in my minnow trap.  They are about 1". Anyone know what they are, do they bite, do they sting, do bass eat them?

 

Views: 1805

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I think that is a Predaceous Diving Beetle, the adult stage of the larval nasty water tiger, which is kind of like a Hellgramite.  I believe the water bugs can fly too.  Not sure, but I think they do bite, so be careful.  Probably in your trap looking for minnows.

Sounds nasty, Jeff. I'd squash the thing and move on.

Thanks, I looked that name up, you're right. And, they can bite. Strangely enough, they are considered beneficial because they also eat other insects, and small fish.

I recommend a #6 Tru-Turn suspended below a Thill ShyBite float.

For fishing with? They BITE!

so do crawfish but fish still line up at the banquet table for them

I think I'd hold the thing with a pliers or heavy gloves. According to Wikipedia, "immediately upon biting they deliver digestive enzymes." That bite would be a gift that keeps on giving for a while.


Seems that it's not only fish that line up for them. Also on Wikipedia:

"Adult Dytiscidae, particular of the genus Cybister, are edible. In Mexico, C. explanatus are eaten roasted and salted to accompany tacos."

I think I'll stick to salsa with my tacos, thanks :p

It also says they are eaten in Japan. Maybe, somewhere, but in my 8 years living there, I never saw anyone eating any insect or selling them, or anything.  I rather suspect that's gone out of fashion.

I read that too. Doesn't seem worth messing with them. Also, I have poured them back in the pond where the bass are, and I haven't noticed any bass jumping on them. It is also very hard to get a hook through shells such as shrimp, and this bugger would be the same.

Possibly, the fish do not find them palatable.  I see insects on the surface in warmer weather that the fish never seem to bother with. Those crazy whirligig beetles come to mind.

Great call on the identification, Jeff.

I've never seen a fish eat a water strider, either.  Anyone else?

Giant Diving Beetle and they could bite. They eat fish ,salamanders, aquatic insets and frogs.

Well, here's the problem, as I see it: "They eat fish, salamanders, aquatic insects and frogs..."

In other words, they are in competition with and even killing the fish I may want. That settles it - giant, friggin' predatory diving beetles must go. Grind 'em up for chum!


RSS

Latest Activity

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…"
yesterday
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…"
yesterday
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…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
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…"
yesterday
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…"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
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…"
yesterday
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…"
yesterday
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…"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"I think all fresh water fish like to relate to cattails…..the most cattails I’ve ever…"
Sunday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"Up here the Pickerel can be found by Cattails and other tall reed areas. The first spawning…"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

This is always a great spot with cypress, cattails and now a blooming hibiscus..next time I’m there…
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Fish Attractant in the Coastal N.C. Marsh…..7/4/2025

"Thanks John…anytime you get close to them there’s hundreds of different insects…"
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Joe Struck Copper on a Sand Bar….7/5/2025

The wind was building on the main river so we splashed back to the ramp after 42 gills, 1 bullhead…
Saturday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Fish Attractant in the Coastal N.C. Marsh…..7/4/2025

"Good work on finding fish habitat!"
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Pretty Masked Copper Shallow ……7/5/2025

Preparing for next week’s buck moon on 7/10……
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Up early this morning, heard we were going to have a tropical storm in the Carolina’s…so Joe and I went and burned some crickets…"
Saturday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service