Bluegill fishing with artificials only

Comment

Comment by Allen Morgan on May 1, 2012 at 7:29pm

Ok, I just joined this group, and I have a serious question for you all.

I'm thinking about picking up a new lure for panfish.  Normally, I'd just drop down and get it, but this one's kind of pricy.  $8.49 + sales tax, probably push it close to $10.

I was at my local Dick's Sporting Goods.  They have a Rapala X-Rap XR-4 sized bait.  They only have one color, Baby Bass.

This little bugger is a little over an inch long, and I know from experience that Sunnies in my area will tackle a minnowbait that small.  Add to that the action and suspending qualities, and I think it's a given that it will catch fish.

However......

I've never used the Baby Bass color before.  Will sunnies hit it?  I know bigger bass will.  Also, the aforementioned price tag is steep.  I know the big-chain stores tend to be a little pricier, but I haven't seen that size anywhere else.  I'm also reminiscent of the fact that most lures are designed to catch fishermen, not fish.

Any thoughts?  Should I take the plunge, or save my money?

Comment by robert b reid on April 29, 2012 at 3:45pm

i am getting better with the arties for pan fish, but i will still have a small thing of either crickets or worms with me just in case.  i am in the process of separating all my  arties crankbaits and spinners in one tackle box and jigs in another and all sof plastics in one too. it makes it kind of difficult when you are fishing from a kayak  and you can't take everything with you.  so i take just a few and keep the rest in the truck or at home. 

Comment by DAVID L EITUTIS on April 15, 2012 at 8:38am

I JUST JOINED THE GROUP AND ABSOLUTELY HATE WAXY'S!!!!
JUST NOT FOR ME and of course have nothing against any one useing em, just not in my boat.

  My favorite lures top 4 anyway are of my own design and do use one store bought item. I use a thing called Panfish Stingers made by Southern Pro and are dynamite on crappies.Colors that work for me are Blue bodies with White stinger and Silver body with white stinger.

 I have lots of pics on my page of my stuff I make .
   TOOTY

Comment by Jacob Hill on April 15, 2012 at 8:26am

small jig and 1-2" gulp plastic is my favorite. but spinners, small cranks, flies, small swimbaits and of course spoons can catch loads of fish if the conditions are right

Comment by John Sheehan on April 15, 2012 at 7:38am

 

To clarify Nick . Worm pieces on small jigs are still taking most of the fish for me at this time .

Comment by John Sheehan on April 15, 2012 at 7:19am

Makes sense Nick .Live bait is still taking most of the fish for me at this time  but I hear ya when the Water temps are more preferrable  and fish are more active .There have been times where I 've caught tons of Crappie or Gills with an untipped Buck tail ,feather or Marabou jig .

Comment by Nick Holt on January 5, 2012 at 4:25pm

Hey folks,  I hope this group is still up and running.  I just posted 7 pictures of some of the gills I caught in 2011.  They were all caught on my hand poured 1" curl tail grubs.  John, I remember what you said about prospecting with live bait, but I feel I can cover more water with a grub and shoot them up under trees or docks.  I use a variety of colors and found that black or chartreuse with anything added to it works well.  Nick Holt

Comment by John Sheehan on July 30, 2010 at 5:40am

I've recently discovered a great Yellow Perch lure that works on Sunfish and smallies too.It's a Mister Twister 'Twister Mite' on a floating jighead with a split shot 8" up the line.I use the natural brown color.
http://www.bigbluegill.com/photo/perch-pickerel-and-bass-8?context=...

Comment by Josh Holley on May 24, 2010 at 11:20am

i use livebait most of the time but have started using artificials more and more. So this group is a place for people to discuss and trade lures, rigs, and tips. Also Photo's of your catches (listing the lure u used to catch it) are also welcome

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