Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

On a large clear natural lake in Southeastern Wi.... friends and I contacted large concentrations of nice sized gills suspending deep over the abyss.Using 1/5-1/4 oz modified spoons tipped with waxies, we cohersed dozens of nice gills to attack our offerings.......we counted our spoons down to the active layer in 22-25 ft before starting our retrieve.

Most of the fish in this layer were of the "keeper" variety........however, as we probed deeper, we connected with some real giants of the abyss.

This pattern will remain strong well into mid October, when these giants migrate back to the deep weed edges in protected bays......It's time to start chuckin'!

Views: 618

Replies to This Discussion

Excellent info on the deep gills! I will try my luck spooning in a similar water body in PA very soon.
Very imformative post! Will have to really work on this technique. Thnx Musky
Nice images of some very nice gills Bill!....I lost my last "Pimple" a couple weeks ago to a northern pike...need to stock up once again......
2lb....I'm sure those same patterns still exist today......I'd like to find and target those fish, but would be afraid that those deep giants may not be releasable due to the massive pressure change they would experience during capture.
This is fascinating!
Bill, Tried spoonin' on our lake Saturday in almost 85 degree surface temps.  The fish were there but they just didn't seem to want any of my offerings.  Got a dozen and a half on trout worms but the bite was really slow due to the lack of any kind of wind at all.  When you're set up for drifting, no wind means a tough bite.  Thought spoonin' would resolve that issue but I wasn't getting  the count down to the right depth or color issues.  I know they're there but just couldn't connect on the spoons.  Just gotta keep tryin' I guess.  Bob

Bob I fished you're lake most of this summer including the Conditions you mentioned. I found a silver cast master in 3/16 oz. to be a super star under those flat conditions.My wife and grand daughter caught fish but the castmaster put 2/3 of them in the well on several trips. A 4/5 oz pimple in siver crushed ice was a close second. I was using a 15-20 count and just kept the trolling motor on low to cover new water.I tiped my spoons with waxes. Hope this helps. The fish I was targeting were 15-20 foot down in 35-40 fow.Under cloudy or windy conditions these baits still work but I have been leaning twards shades of orange or blue.

 Steve from Milwaukee.

Steve,  Bob Davis here.  Wish I had known you were hitting the "Rock" this past summer.  Would have made a strong effort to meet you at the "North End" Park just to shake hands and possibly hit the water some.  I will be retiring in Jan.  of next year and plan to spend a lot of my free time back out there again, both on the ice and when the water opens up again.  Maybe we can get together anytime you're in the area.  Sincerely,  Bob

The big bite continues.......this morning before a large storm front, 9-11am.....caught a few giants, and a handful of keepers just prior to the deluge.

It was a beautiful morning to hunt bluegill in the abyss......kudos to my girl and trusty photographer, Shelley.

RSS

Latest Activity

John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's status
"We are exploring/learning the three permit lakes late in life. Today was Canistear Reservoir. Hot…"
6 hours ago
John Sheehan posted a status
"Just dink smallmouths and Largemouth Bass for Greg and I, fishing a third Reservoir this year."
6 hours ago
John Sheehan posted photos
15 hours ago
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Sunrise Shellcracker…..7/23/2025

"I love your kind of fishing!"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Sunrise Shellcracker…..7/23/2025

"I’m very fortunate that the fishing  in coastal North Carolina is so great and most…"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

JULYWP

"Summer colors on this white perch!"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

JULYP

"Nice Yellow John….good colors"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Often bass fisherman will catch Warmouth on 9” worms……..they. don’t fight…"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"This is a great comparison John…..I added another photo to give perspective….."
Sunday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Sunrise Shellcracker…..7/23/2025

"I sure envy you, enjoy!"
Sunday
John Sheehan replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Hey Jeffrey! Does the Warmouth have about the same sized Mouth as a Black Crappie of equal size, or…"
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Jul 23
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….."
Jul 23
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
Jul 23
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
Jul 23
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Jul 23
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…"
Jul 23
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…"
Jul 23
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……
Jul 23
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Jul 23

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service