Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

i read the post on back seat bluegills,which i have no intention of continuing here,but Mike F. made a statement in a post ,that got me thanking about catching big gills.
what does it take to constantly catch big gills,i catch my share of big gills and chinks.
i fish one lake 90% of the time and have some success at this , i thank that has a lot to do with my success .
i have fished this lake now for over fifty yrs.and still from time to time have some trouble catching the big ones.
i thank big gills and chinks are more selective then the average size fish,and tend to hold in deeper water.the big fish i do catch in shallow water are mostly taken early and late in the day.
although you will find them in shallow water on the spawn,i thank to catch big fish you have to go deep,i know i do pre spawn and post spawn.
what do you say ladies and gentlemen.

Views: 68

Replies to This Discussion

I'll let you know when I finally catch some biggies! LOL

Makes sense, though. I believe In-Fisherman has published articles suggesting that BIG bluegills are generally found in/over deeper water during much of the year (when not spawning).

This then answers the question of "where". Of course you'll still have to determine where in your particular body of water the fish are holding on that particular day. Could be at the base of drop-offs...could be scattered over deep mudflats.

If we take this location a general rule, then the next question is "how to reach these fish with flies". Full-sinking line would be the best way to get the fly down deep.

A following question is "what fly". Could be anything. Big bluegills feed on small minnows, leeches, small crayfish, and larger aquatic nymphs. When fishing on/near the bottom with the sinking line, snags become problematical. So, flies tied in such a way that the hook rides up, or patterns that float above the bottom should be excellent choices.
i like to use flies that sink at a rate of one foot in a three count. i always count down my flies when fishing sinkers,nymphs exc.
the lake i fish at it's deepest is 12 to 14 feet,i use a bb split shot on the next to the last leader stage if they are on the bottom. the shot hits the bottom before the fly ,and lets you fish the fly above the bottom,and feel snags ahead of the fly.
i have used sinking lines and do in moving water,but in dead water ie lakes and ponds i use the bb on the leader with floating line ,i thank it helps me find the bottom quicker ,as more line stays exposed.
what fly ,yes i am with you on that one ,if we only knew what fly,if i did i would know the meaning of life.
i have worked skuds ,dragon nymphs,shrimp,crawfish exc. only to find they wanted a simple sinking guiena spider at ten feet.
oh the mighty gill,he just will not play fair.


gators eat my fish
i guess i fish like most people mow grass,i start at the edge and work my way to the middle,trimming those button wood bushes,cypress,and tupelo gum trees close.






can't mow duck grass

RSS

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
7 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Some quality Warmouth I caught in my early years on the Albemarle….."
8 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
8 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
8 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
12 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Thanks for sharing John……you have patterned your available species pretty good over…"
12 hours ago
John Sheehan replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Only caught five of these Species up here in New Jersey. Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Red Breasted…"
12 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Crackers Saved This Morning Behind A Cold Front…..7/23/2025

If I get out the remainder of July it will probably be a crappie stalk on the coastal marsh……
12 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
12 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
12 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Slow Moving Cold Front Went Through Overnight and Shifted the Wind to the North so our rivers were dumped, but we wanted to go anyway…."
13 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"There’s multiple variations in the Spotted Sunfish….in Louisiana the Red Spotted…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Growing up in Louisiana into a fishing family I got many introductions to the Sportsman’s…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"I have personally caught 11 of the 12 panfish featured in this discussion. I have never lived in…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a discussion
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Monday
DAVID L EITUTIS commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
Thumbnail

THIS COLOR COMBINATION SEEMS TO WORK THIS YEAR

"Yup blue and white is an essential with my oldest son......."
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"My glass boat is going to the shop tomorrow, need an ignition system tune up, figured I would give it up during this extended heat wave.."
Sunday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service