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

Troy Dorman posted photos
12 hours ago
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's group Lure History
"Shad Rap collection. My first three Walleyes were caught on the small sized back in the 80's.…"
20 hours ago
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's group Lure History
"More classic end of April Baits .Water temp got to 62-64 and the Stick worm worked a charm on Good…"
20 hours ago
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

End of April Lures

"Killer color Stick worm for overcast conditions. Black/Gold Fleck 5" "
20 hours ago
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

aprilbass

"You bet Jeff!"
21 hours ago
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

aprilperch13.5

"Tracy, not sure. This could be a later Perch spawner but not sure if 62–64-degree Water Temp,…"
21 hours ago
tracy willis commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

aprilbass2

"healthy looking LMB!!"
23 hours ago
tracy willis commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

aprilperch13.5

"very cool.  are those spawning colors on that fish?  the fewni catch are never that dark."
23 hours ago
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

aprilbass2

"Thanks Jeff! Good action yesterday."
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

aprilperch13.5

"For certain, Jeff!"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

aprilperch13.5

"Nice perch….."
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

aprilbass2

"Nice Predators John and Greg!"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

aprilbass

"Largemouth party….."
yesterday
John Sheehan posted photos
Wednesday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

late April Bully

"That's a whippy 4 piece Eagle Claw rod I used there .6'6""
Tuesday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

late April Bully

"You bet Jeff !They swim around pretty quickly then start rollin'.Feisty characters."
Tuesday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

late April Bully

"Got on the bullies…….they’re fun to catch on panfish gear John…."
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Troy Dorman's photo
Thumbnail

Mixed bag!

"Panfish blitz….l"
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Troy Dorman's photo
Thumbnail

2lb7oz., 1lb14oz., and 1lb10oz.

"Crazy…..very nice!"
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Troy Dorman's photo
Thumbnail

My personal best redear

"Congratulations Troy…….fish of a lifetime……"
Monday

© 2024   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service