Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Information

The Shellcrackers

If you've caught a redear sunfish, or if you want people to THINK you've caught a redear sunfish, this is the group for you.

Members: 152
Latest Activity: Mar 16, 2023

Comment Wall

Comment

You need to be a member of The Shellcrackers to add comments!

Comment by mike doering on January 15, 2010 at 7:59pm
go to my photos in pics
Comment by Bruce Condello on January 15, 2010 at 6:49am
Wow! That's all I can say....Wow!
Comment by mike doering on January 14, 2010 at 11:27pm

Comment by mike doering on January 14, 2010 at 11:26pm
Just found your site here, hoping to contribute. I'll put my biggun up.
/Users/mikedoering/Desktop/th_P2110008.jpg
Comment by Brian on January 4, 2010 at 7:25am


i found a spot where there are a million shelcrackers this is one of the bigger
Comment by shooter on December 31, 2009 at 12:40pm
Dan i have wanted to fish Merrit's for years,i thank the state record red ear came from there,at 4.86 lbs.
man you should fish that pond.

gators have a bad attitude
Comment by Dan Gwaltney on October 5, 2009 at 1:32pm
I don't know why I haven't joined this group before! (?) In the places I fish, I rarely catch just one species, and 'crackers are almost always in the mix. I live about 30 miles from one of the most famous shellcracker lakes in the Country, Merrit's Millpond in Jackson County, Fla, but I don't care to fish there too much. The water is crystal clear, but stays choked with Hydrilla much of the time, both of which make it difficult to fish successfully, Besides that, there is a rather unusual size limit on that particular lake. There is a 10 inch minimum size. Anything smaller goes back in the drink! I'm sure a lot, perhaps all, of you would cringe at the thought of tossing back a 9 1/2 incher 'cause he is too little!! Of course, I might change my opinion of the place if I were to ever catch a keeper! :-D
Comment by Troy Dorman on June 18, 2009 at 7:48am
Just joined this site, I've been lurking here for over a month and just am amazed at the pictures of quality fish being caught.

I'm a shellcracker fisherman at heart, but love to catch the big bull bluegills too. Shellcracker are a much more difficult species to target and catch, but the payoff when you do hit the mother lode is an awesome feeling.
Comment by Bill "Musky" Modica on June 13, 2009 at 10:29pm
That has been my experience as well, I always see the reds move up to spawn just after the gills....mid June is also the time frame in Northern Illinois.

Comment by Jim Gronaw on June 13, 2009 at 9:09pm
Hey guys...it has been my experience that the redears seem to spawn a little later than the gills in the Mid Atlantic region. I have caught spawning crackers at Rocky Gap State Park in western Md on June 15 which is the bass opener in MD. I have caught them in Mid June in Amelia County ,VA, farmponds and all were bedding fish that seemed to overlap the gill spawn in these waters. I must say that they can be quite challenging when they are on bed.
 

Members (152)

 
 
 

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Very rough weather pattern, ready to get out if the wind will break…all the creeks are blown out and holding low….had a good dinner tonight…"
Wednesday
John Sheehan posted photos
Sep 6
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Cool Air Spawns Great Sunsets……9/1/2025

"Absolutely…….I missed many sunsets by being underwater in the submarine force for…"
Sep 5
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's status
"Thanks Tracy……it was very good as you know……"
Sep 5
tracy willis commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Cool Air Spawns Great Sunsets……9/1/2025

"ted sky at night, a sailors delight."
Sep 4
tracy willis commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's status
"mine too.  have a good supper."
Sep 4
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Sep 1
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Got 15 medium gills scaled for Sunday supper…..my wife’s favorite way to enjoy a fish fry, fresh and fried whole in crispy corn meal…"
Aug 30
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Rose Skimmer…..8/29/2025

I’ve seen these guys in Louisiana and North Carolina…..one of the reasons I like pink jigs, the…
Aug 29
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Check Out The Emerald Green Cheeks on this Flier……8/29/2025

They kind of have a distinctive black line under the eye similar to a chain pickerel but not as…
Aug 29
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Aug 29
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

One of a Dozen Largemouth in a Feeding Frenzy….8/29/2025

This river was pretty steady around 76 degrees for surface temperatures…..
Aug 29
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Aug 29
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Aug 29
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Soaking Live Cricket Tipped Jigs on Bridge Pilings….8/29/2025

"Zoom in to see those popping emerald colors at the base of the tail……this pod of…"
Aug 29
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Aug 29
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Hit a different river today, this time working beavers are more beneficial than river otters……surface temperatures at 76.4 degrees"
Aug 29
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

augpick

"The black under the eye and a business mouth……..👍, a true predator!"
Aug 28
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

augpick

"Yes, and mean eyes, Jeff. A bandit with the black across the Eye!"
Aug 28

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service