Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

This fish clocked in at just 1 oz. shy of 6 lb. and it fell for 1/2 a crawler on 4 lb. line with a size 12 hook. Ultralight indeed scored the biggest bass I have seen on our Annual August trip. I downsized my hook and followed this up with a 4 lb. fish that looked tiny... Small hooks equal big reward. She was released so we could catch her young in a couple of seasons.

Rating:
  • Currently 5/5 stars.

Views: 105

Albums: Ultralight Fishing
Favorite of 1 person

Comment

You need to be a member of Bluegill - Big Bluegill to add comments!

Join Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Comment by Johnny wilkins on October 7, 2010 at 5:26pm
That would be size 12 hook - not size 1.... Why can't we edit our own posts any longer?
Comment by Johnny wilkins on October 7, 2010 at 5:25pm
Well - not only did I see it, I switched hooks and rigs and put a size 1s on my rod with a single tiny split shot and I stuck a 4 lb. smallie off the same structure. I can appreciate the skepticism, but if you strike at the right moment, you can hit every fish in the lip (well... not every fish but you - er the fish gets the point)...

If you knew my brother-in-law he is one of the most honest persons on the planet and I stake my reputation on it - no stories from me - ever.

Lastly- is it better to get your hook back at the end of the day without a bite? Is it better to use a large fish hook but not hook fish or to use a small hook and have to cut the line on a few fish when they swallow it?

Most of the time, I use a float so I see when the tiniest of movements occurs. In this case, we were straight-lining the baits on the side of the crib. As soon as these bass sucked in our leeches we were setting the hook.

Also note that we had at least 4 fish each break us off when they rushed back into the crib... in order to make an omelette - you have to loose some hooks. : )

I have time coming up from my crazy-crazy schedule where I will be working on some content. I will show you a rig that you can fish gills where you can see 90% of gill strikes in front of you - AS they happen. I also have the ultimate hook-remover tool for gills where you can also retrieve 95% of the swallowed hooks on your gills and return the fish unharmed!

I am not super smart - I just have been taught by the best Gill Angler on the Planet in my humble opinion - he is a master - Mick Thill (Thill Floats in every tackle store across North America).
Comment by John Sheehan on March 6, 2010 at 8:43am
What a great Smallie!
Comment by Johnny wilkins on March 5, 2010 at 8:12pm
I am adding a comment. I fished this crib every August for the past 7 years and because we used just a hook and a 1/2 crawler falling slowly through the water the fish came out of the crib boards and were hammering our slow-falling bait.
We have fished it with jigs even small jigs and this was by far our most productive session going with size 12 & size 14 hooks. The hooks are so light, the bait has just enough weight added to sink it slowly- 15x slower than a jig so the falling bait is spotted faster and in the tea-stained water, I believe they pick the bait up on their lateral line as it moves and falls.
Our offering best-respresented food for them I guess. Bottom-line, we have fished it and had such little success in the past. I know now- when the fishing is slow I will go to a finesse hook and taunt them with live food.

Latest Activity

John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

maywwbassagain

"We did .Thanks Jeff!"
1 hour ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo
14 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
15 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
15 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
15 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"We enjoyed a taste of Summer today so I left at 4 to fish a little while…basically a pre fish for the holiday weekend…mixed bag of 63 fish"
15 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Pumpkinseeds on a Rock Pile….5/19/2024

"Thanks Tracy…..I rarely fish the North Carolina lakes……east of Interstate 95…"
15 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

maywwbassagain

"Very nice largemouth John….hope you and Greg shared a nice day on the water…."
15 hours ago
tracy willis commented on Jim Gronaw's photo
Thumbnail

5-4-24-9 Rotund PumpkinGill!

"beautiful fish, congrats."
15 hours ago
tracy willis commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Pumpkinseeds on a Rock Pile….5/19/2024

"wow.  there are only two lakes in my state that have them.  thought about trying one of…"
16 hours ago
John Sheehan posted photos
22 hours ago
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Late May catchers

"Pickerel into the Moderate Moving Baits more so than Bass. Only two Bass on MMB."
22 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Great Color Markings…..5/20/2024

"Thanks John…..I agree…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Great Color Markings…..5/20/2024

The distinct red ear tab coupled with the turquoise mottling in the cheeks are so vibrant in the…
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Another Fighter…..5/19/2024

Although quite Breezy…..once the heavy rain moved out overnight….I wanted to get out a bit…..a lot…
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Sunday

© 2024   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service