Do you love big bluegill?

Down the hill Bluegills

Post spawn is officially upon us in northern Illinois, and this is my favorite time to start chucking spoons over the edge. Recovering fish have now positioned at the base of the weededges and subsequent drop-offs.

The depth these fish are holding at a range from 10-20 ft, and make them easy victims of the spoon......1/10 - 1/5 oz spoons have been very productive when long casting through the concentrations of fish that inhabit this pivot area. These spoon weights will be my choice for at least the next month until the big gills head for really deep water in August.

When they finally reach their deep water haunts, the use of 1/4 oz and heavier spoons will be implemented, and launched into the abyss.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by patrick j mclaughlin on June 29, 2011 at 6:00pm

I am stoked to try these spoons I don't have the braided line do you think I will miss alot of hits because of the mono?

Permalink Reply by Bill "Musky" Modica on June 29, 2011 at 6:13pm

Braid is a very important tool when spooning. The ability to detect a subtle strike after a long cast is paramount, and braid is the only line that can deliver the no-stretch sensitivity needed for successful spooning.....I would highly suggest you spool up with Berkley Fire-Line Crystal in 2lb dia./6lb test, and use a small barrel swivel to connect 18" of Fluorocarbon leader to a small snap, and your choice of spoon.

Permalink Reply by patrick j mclaughlin on June 30, 2011 at 7:53am

thanks BILL I WILL BY BASS PRO SHOP TOMARROW WHAT SIZE SWIVELS AND SNAP DO YOU SUGGEST? I ALSO HAVE 9' NOODLE RODS ARE THEY TO WHIMPY? I USE THEM FOR CASTING SPINNERS FOR PERCH ON LAKE MICHIGAN

Permalink Reply by Steve Connell on July 2, 2011 at 12:52pm

Fished my favorite WI. lake this morning and did well again.Got fish on a spawning rock pile in 10 fow early then moved out to 17-18 fow.Big fish today was 9.5.Small sweed was good in the AM then a silver castmaster in 1/8 oz for deeper.Tipped with waxes today cause thats what they were eating.Had another boat drift past us chuckin spoons ,was that you Bob from lake mills?Water was 77 deg.

Permalink Reply by Steve Connell on July 16, 2011 at 1:51pm

Found fish this morning holding 20 foot down over a 28 foot hump surounded by 30-40 fow. Fish hit spoons ,dropshots and jigs and waxes.Didn't seem to matter.2 largest wenr 9 3/4 inches 6 or so between 9 and 9 1/4 with lots of 8 1/2's. 2person limit in 4 hours. Lot's of fun in the sun in southern WI. today.

Permalink Reply by Bill "Musky" Modica on July 17, 2011 at 7:13am

I was also out there yesterday.....did a lot of searching before we found good numbers of big bluegills. Didn't start keeping fish untill 6:30 pm. 1/8 oz RFS tipped with waxies