what does it take to constantly catch big gills and read ear on flies

[shooter]

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.

[David Merical]

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.

[shooter]

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

[shooter]

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