Bluegill - Big Bluegill2024-03-28T12:09:03Zjason grimmhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/jasonalangrimm878http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2192393168?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://bigbluegill.ning.com/group/bbfro/forum/topic/listForContributor?user=0gm3i6yeiy1tq&feed=yes&xn_auth=noWater temps and their effect on Bluegills.tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-02-05:2036984:Topic:2388182012-02-05T01:17:10.617Zjason grimmhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/jasonalangrimm878
<p>I've been surprised, confused, and downright wrong more times than I would like to admit when it comes to predicting where my favorite fish will be found during any given month of the year. However I have noticed patterns which, for the most part, usually enable me to catch at least a few nice fish, and the key to figuring out those patterns revolves around water temperature a lot of the time.</p>
<p>I'll dispense with ice cover as this is a science unto itself, and not everyone lives in an…</p>
<p>I've been surprised, confused, and downright wrong more times than I would like to admit when it comes to predicting where my favorite fish will be found during any given month of the year. However I have noticed patterns which, for the most part, usually enable me to catch at least a few nice fish, and the key to figuring out those patterns revolves around water temperature a lot of the time.</p>
<p>I'll dispense with ice cover as this is a science unto itself, and not everyone lives in an area where they can exploit this facet of BG fishing. Instead, I'll begin with water temps in the 40-50 degree range. Shortly after ice out, I begin finding a few fish making forays into shallower water, especially if the weeds are greening back up. I don't think they're committed to this location, as a cold spell will drive them back deeper again, but they are at least thinking about it. Once water temps hit 45-50 degrees, I look for a broad, shallow flat, with easy access to deeper water. On warm sunny days, a dark bottomed shallow area like this, on the order of 3-5' deep, will warm up faster than the surrounding deeper water, and the gills seem to find it. I don't know for a fact, but I've always assumed that the aquatic life that burrows into the mud becomes more active with the warmer water, and the gills move in to feed on them. Again, at this stage my fish are not committed to the shallow area, they simply move in to feed, then back out again as the conditions allow.</p>
<p>From 50-60 degrees (water temp), I find the fish spending more time on the flats, moving even shallower as the water warms. This is the time I refer to as the pre-spawn, when I notice the fish really chowing down, building up their energy reserve for what lies ahead. There can be some truly great, fast paced action during this times. I have caught big gills' in 16 inches of water, right up next to the bank under overhanging branches. The combination of shallow water, dark bottom, and overhead vegetation proves irresistible to my fish year after year.</p>
<p>The range between 60-68 degrees is what I call staging. I typically find fish located in deeper water adjacent to spawning areas. They school loosely, swimming in and back out, just waiting for the final warmup to move in and start building nests. I think they can be quite opportunistic feeders during this time, and the fishing can be exciting. I have also noticed that they are prone to move back out if a cold front passes through and lowers the water temps.</p>
<p>As a bonus, in my ponds the Redear are the first lepomids to build nests, (by just a couple of degrees before the Bluegills), so while I'm fishing for staging Bluegills, the Redears are there too, and usually more stable..... as in they seem more committed to the idea of nest building. Some incidental Redear catches add a nice bonus.</p>
<p>That's it for now, I'll touch on the rest of the year later. I would love to hear other folks observations regarding water temperature and Bluegill location.</p>