Do you love big bluegill?

PR'ed at RM

After getting broke of twice, I hooked a heavy fish in the spatterdock and wanted to just break it off as the boat drifted with the wind. But Clyde Douglas insisted on backing up to the tangled fish and weeding it out. Good thing, as it was the bluegill of a lifetime for me...12 1/2 inches and 2 lbs. and 2 ounces.

Thanks, Clyde!

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Comment by Xeev Xwm Vang on November 11, 2009 at 6:47am: wow! that is a crazy fish there! Love the area you were fishing too!

Comment by Jim Gronaw on November 4, 2009 at 1:50pm: John...both gills and bass at RM benefit from automatic feeders that expel pellets of high-protein food twice a day. There is also plenty of natural forage for gills and bass in the form of goldenshiners, banded sunfish, tons of freshwater shrimp, many aquatic insect types and other species in the mix like pickerel, shellcrackers and a few crappie.

The water there drains out of swampy lowlands known as the 'sand hills' region of NC. The lake was impounded in 1835 and it has a coutinuous overflow at the spillway of 7 to 10 thousand gallons per minute. It is very similar to many lakes in Delaware that have the same species...DEL record gill is 2 lb 11 oz and shellcracker is 3 lb 1 oz, not bad for a 'northern' state.

Comment by John Cachel on November 3, 2009 at 8:50pm: The water in Richmond Mill is very dark and tannic stained is very interesting because I search for trophy bluegills is clear to light stained water.
Do you think that very dark and tannic stained is because of plenty of food for 'gills to grow? Lot of 5 lbs bass must be to control small bluegills! I like to learn more about Richmond Mill and see why bluegills grow that big!

Comment by John Cachel on November 3, 2009 at 8:43pm: Jim, you deserve that big 'gill because you search for trophy bluegills for years! I have your article in an In- Fisherman as early as 1980's ..... Springtime Pond 'gills! I am looking forward to read your future articles!
Great job on that 2 lbs 2 oz 'gill!

Comment by Jim Gronaw on November 3, 2009 at 4:40pm: As Bruce points out in his blog, it is a privately owned, intensly manage 120 acre lake geared primarily for bass fishing with a 'by-catch' of huge bluegills, and available to paying customers. But it is not a 'pay lake' but rather a unique and consuming experience that goes far beyond the routine 'guided ' fishing trip.

Comment by Greg McWilliams on November 3, 2009 at 4:00pm: Is this a private lake, is there a way to get a guide or is it by invitation only. Sorry you didn't have any fun. Nice hog!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Jim Gronaw on November 3, 2009 at 3:49pm: Yes John, this fish was from our recent Richmond Mill trip. Some of the regular bluegills are very dark and most of the coppernose gills are the same. The water is very dark and tannic stained and it may have an effect on the coloration of these fish....would have to confer with a biologist for the facts on that.

Comment by John Cachel on November 3, 2009 at 6:55am: Ohh! RM ...... you mean Richmond Mill? I am JEALOUS!

Comment by John Cachel on November 3, 2009 at 6:53am: WOW! Over 2 lbs or over 12 inch is super fish! Rare and lifetime fish! Look like from Richmond Mill? Backgound, sky and dark skin 'gills look the same as Richmond Mill Blog!