Jeffrey D. Abney's Posts - Bluegill - Big Bluegill2024-03-29T13:26:51ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbneyhttp://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/510905436?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://bigbluegill.ning.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=19zkgohsczqb8&xn_auth=noBest Of October 2017....Tidal Crappie on The Albemarletag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2017-10-30:2036984:BlogPost:7406372017-10-30T00:15:53.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220402761?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220402761?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a></p>
<p>The month started on the Coastal Marsh with some solid fish on shallow cover.......</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220404805?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220404805?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a></p>
<p>All of these ventures are on pole and line........I loved this technique as a kid and go back to it every year.......…</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220402761?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220402761?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>The month started on the Coastal Marsh with some solid fish on shallow cover.......</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220404805?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220404805?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>All of these ventures are on pole and line........I loved this technique as a kid and go back to it every year.......</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220405991?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220405991?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>The Pasquotank River basin hasn't let be down in more than 20 years in the Fall........when the cotton turns white the crappie will be on shallow cover....</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2167488533?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2167488533?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>A quick stop on the Pecan Orchard proves worthy.....</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220406287?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220406287?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Spice Island did not disappoint........</p>
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<p></p>Bluegill Dreams: A cool Article About Childhood Dreams By James Prosektag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2017-01-16:2036984:BlogPost:7103802017-01-16T22:30:00.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
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<p> Ran across a cool short story by writer James Prosek and his childhood dreams about bluegill fishing.......It caught my eye when he said he found bigbluegill.com while browsing one night while working in the museum in Raleigh......</p>
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<p>Go to gardenandgun.com/article/bluegill-dreams for a cool short story.</p>
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<p>Jeffrey</p>
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<p> Ran across a cool short story by writer James Prosek and his childhood dreams about bluegill fishing.......It caught my eye when he said he found bigbluegill.com while browsing one night while working in the museum in Raleigh......</p>
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<p>Go to gardenandgun.com/article/bluegill-dreams for a cool short story.</p>
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<p>Jeffrey</p>Sunfish 2016 by The Numbers.........Six Species Breakdowntag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2017-01-01:2036984:BlogPost:7092852017-01-01T17:01:06.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p>Closed out 2016 yesterday with a total of 5,921 sunfish for 2016 with six total species caught on the Albemarle. Here is the breakdown by species during another great year.....</p>
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<p>Coming in at Number Six for the year is the REDBREAST Sunfish: Not as abundant on the Albemarle as other species but still doing well in several locations..........I release the ones I catch here hoping they will increase in numbers because they are very fun to catch.…</p>
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<p>Closed out 2016 yesterday with a total of 5,921 sunfish for 2016 with six total species caught on the Albemarle. Here is the breakdown by species during another great year.....</p>
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<p>Coming in at Number Six for the year is the REDBREAST Sunfish: Not as abundant on the Albemarle as other species but still doing well in several locations..........I release the ones I catch here hoping they will increase in numbers because they are very fun to catch.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220403620?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220403620?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a>I managed to catch and release 61 of these guys in 2016............</p>
<p></p>Field and Stream Outdoor Storetag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2016-08-25:2036984:BlogPost:6949192016-08-25T23:19:43.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p>Has anyone shopped at one of the Field and Stream Outdoor Stores? How's their fishing department? Grand opening this weekend about an hour from me ...........Looks alot like Bass Pro...</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220401762?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220401762?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p>Has anyone shopped at one of the Field and Stream Outdoor Stores? How's their fishing department? Grand opening this weekend about an hour from me ...........Looks alot like Bass Pro...</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220401762?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220401762?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p></p>How The Last Three Months Stack Up On The Albemarle.........2016tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2016-07-31:2036984:BlogPost:6912592016-07-31T21:46:56.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p><span class="font-size-4">As we close out what I consider to be peak on the Albemarle region of coastal North Carolina for Bluegill fishing, I wanted to take a glance back over the last three months and see how things went. Here's what I discovered for 2016:</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-4"> In May I fished 15 times for a total of 1,024 gills.........the largest creel was 120 and the lowest was 25........That worked out to an average bluegill creel of 68 for these fishing…</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4">As we close out what I consider to be peak on the Albemarle region of coastal North Carolina for Bluegill fishing, I wanted to take a glance back over the last three months and see how things went. Here's what I discovered for 2016:</span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-4"> In May I fished 15 times for a total of 1,024 gills.........the largest creel was 120 and the lowest was 25........That worked out to an average bluegill creel of 68 for these fishing adventures in May.........I personally rate MAY as the third best month in my region........</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2167489620?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2167489620?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a>In June we had our traditional Abney Family Fishing Vacation which included two weeks off for me but that only equated to 17 fishing trips for a total for 1,229 gills in June. The highest creel was 116 and the lowest was 17........This gave me an average of 72 gills a trip during this period..........June is the second best month on the Albemarle in my opinion......</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117787101?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117787101?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a>Finally I closed out July earlier today with my 15th trip for a total 1,146 gills.....the highest creel was 146 and the lowest was 16.........this gave me an average of 76 gills per trip in July..........Heat can be a factor and negatively impact the month of July but with more than 20 years of recorded data I have topped 1,000 in 16 of the last 20 years and caught a personal monthly best total of 2,102 in July 2003, the year I retired from the Military and took the entire month off.........</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117792086?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117792086?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a>This remains a great place to live and truly a bluegill angler's paradise.........I'm going to work a few more years and I will then spit my time between the Albemarle and Pamlico regions of coastal North Carolina.........dreams are part of a healthy balance........when they come true it's a great thing..........</span></p>The 2014 Diary for my Favorite Commercial Baits....Still Too Tough To Pass Overtag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2014-02-10:2036984:BlogPost:4773862014-02-10T00:10:14.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p>Assuming I still have a few minutes to fish an old reliable soft plastic or a new innovative jig......I have to have a place to document my results and catch it here first..........</p>
<p>Assuming I still have a few minutes to fish an old reliable soft plastic or a new innovative jig......I have to have a place to document my results and catch it here first..........</p>2014 Diary for the Tripp Carroll Collection.......A Panfish Frenzy on the Albemarle....tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2014-02-10:2036984:BlogPost:4773842014-02-10T00:07:14.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p>Looking forward to a full season with Tripp's baits in tow......an incredible array of panfish splender.....follow it here on BBG.com in 2014........</p>
<p>Looking forward to a full season with Tripp's baits in tow......an incredible array of panfish splender.....follow it here on BBG.com in 2014........</p>The Story of the Tabbert Collection in 2014........A Diary to Follow Dick Tabbert's Baits in Coastal Carolinatag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2014-02-10:2036984:BlogPost:4772962014-02-10T00:03:55.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p>I had tremendous success late last year after receiving some great baits from Dick......they are some incredible shrimp patterns in a wonderful collection of colors.......</p>
<p>I had tremendous success late last year after receiving some great baits from Dick......they are some incredible shrimp patterns in a wonderful collection of colors.......</p>James BLUTO Gillette Sneaks into the picture in 2014.......I Call his baits the "Yankee Doodle" line.....tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2014-02-09:2036984:BlogPost:4772932014-02-09T23:59:03.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p>James ties some beautiful bugs and I was stunned when I opened the box last month to see his baits in person.....He also ties some great jigs and we are both looking forward to see how things turn out........Find out here first......</p>
<p>James ties some beautiful bugs and I was stunned when I opened the box last month to see his baits in person.....He also ties some great jigs and we are both looking forward to see how things turn out........Find out here first......</p>McScruff Hits the Carolina Brackish Waters by Storm in 2014.....A Diary to Follow David's Successtag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2014-02-09:2036984:BlogPost:4771482014-02-09T23:55:21.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p>From one Carolina to the next......we believe we are on to something here and I look forward to see what David's baits will do here in the other Carolina.......</p>
<p>From one Carolina to the next......we believe we are on to something here and I look forward to see what David's baits will do here in the other Carolina.......</p>Talent From Tennessee......The 2014 Diary of the Rascals and Others from Carl Hendrix......tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2014-02-09:2036984:BlogPost:4771432014-02-09T23:52:19.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p>No picture does his baits justice.......he has created them in all of my favorite colors and in several sizes as well......Throw in a Phyllis Diller or a Sunrise Spider and I think we're going to make some noise on the Albemarle this season.....</p>
<p>No picture does his baits justice.......he has created them in all of my favorite colors and in several sizes as well......Throw in a Phyllis Diller or a Sunrise Spider and I think we're going to make some noise on the Albemarle this season.....</p>Can the "Okie Mantis" Ruffle Fins on the Albemarle in 2014......A Diary of Allen Morgan's Creationstag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2014-02-09:2036984:BlogPost:4771412014-02-09T23:47:07.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p>Allen has taken advantage of my personal love for jigs and has turned out some awesome baits for 2014.....I'm all stocked up and you can follow along here for the story of the "Mantis Jigs".........</p>
<p>Allen has taken advantage of my personal love for jigs and has turned out some awesome baits for 2014.....I'm all stocked up and you can follow along here for the story of the "Mantis Jigs".........</p>Silent Stingers Splash the Black Waters in 2014........A Diary of Tooty's Finest Creationstag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2014-02-09:2036984:BlogPost:4771392014-02-09T23:42:42.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p>I will follow the success of a great line of baits known affectionately as the "Silent Stingers".....New for 2014 are several refinements with the most significant for me being the creation of a # 6 bug........Will I ever be able to take off that Cotton Candy this year?........Fine out here first with testimony and great photos along the way......</p>
<p>I will follow the success of a great line of baits known affectionately as the "Silent Stingers".....New for 2014 are several refinements with the most significant for me being the creation of a # 6 bug........Will I ever be able to take off that Cotton Candy this year?........Fine out here first with testimony and great photos along the way......</p>2014 Diary for the "River Critters" on the Albemarle........Creations from Jim Gronawtag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2014-02-09:2036984:BlogPost:4772882014-02-09T23:38:09.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p>This is where I will follow the 2014 results of some great bugs from Jim Gronaw's collection.....This is the third year that I will fish Jim's baits and it will be a challenge for other baits to top these proven baits such as the Gronaw Grass Shrimp and the Green Darner to name a couple.......</p>
<p>This is where I will follow the 2014 results of some great bugs from Jim Gronaw's collection.....This is the third year that I will fish Jim's baits and it will be a challenge for other baits to top these proven baits such as the Gronaw Grass Shrimp and the Green Darner to name a couple.......</p>Top Five Baits In The Albemarle For 2013........A Tribute to The Bug/Jig Makers on Bigbluegill.comtag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2014-01-13:2036984:BlogPost:4702662014-01-13T01:51:34.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p> Being a lifetime bluegill fisherman I often reflect on the past and what baits worked well in what type of conditions.....For many years, I would often just fish a plain hook with live bait or a plain ball jig tipped under a float and experienced great success in many different settings, whether that be the swamps and canals in southern Louisiana, farm ponds of friends and family, lakes and reservoirs throughout the south......I always had pretty good luck......I would occasionally pick up…</p>
<p> Being a lifetime bluegill fisherman I often reflect on the past and what baits worked well in what type of conditions.....For many years, I would often just fish a plain hook with live bait or a plain ball jig tipped under a float and experienced great success in many different settings, whether that be the swamps and canals in southern Louisiana, farm ponds of friends and family, lakes and reservoirs throughout the south......I always had pretty good luck......I would occasionally pick up a new bait off the store shelves to try but more often for crappie or bass than gills......That all changed when I became a member of bigbluegill.com several years ago......I began networking with some of the lure creators and this evolved into testing a few baits at first in 2011 and that was soon replaced by routine use in 2012 and beyond.......I began fishing in 2013 with a wide selection of custom baits and it's very interesting to me how effective the various ties were throughout the year.......I thank the guys that have been gracious enough to allow me to fish some of their "go to" baits.......I caught gills every month in 2013 and wound up with a total of 6,082 on 51 different baits of many different colors and sizes but here are the top five in the brackish waters of North Carolina's Albemarle.....</p>
<p><strong># 1.......The Filament Jig in 1/32 ounce.......From the "River Critter" line created by Jim Gronaw.....These baits were employed under a float tipped with live crickets or grass shrimp for the best results......Almost two thousand sunfish were landed on this seemingly simple bait including over 1,400 during the three week Abney family vacation....</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220395701?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220395701?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p></p>2013 Daily Doubles....North Carolina Styletag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2014-01-04:2036984:BlogPost:4676612014-01-04T20:55:20.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p>My mom is an identical twin and when my cousins and I would fish as kids we would always put our two best fish together fro Janice and Donice and we called it the "Daily Double".....That family tradition lives on here in some of the quality Daily Doubles taken in 2013......Those were the good ole days when the same dollar could by you both your favorite soda pop and candy bar.........…</p>
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<p>My mom is an identical twin and when my cousins and I would fish as kids we would always put our two best fish together fro Janice and Donice and we called it the "Daily Double".....That family tradition lives on here in some of the quality Daily Doubles taken in 2013......Those were the good ole days when the same dollar could by you both your favorite soda pop and candy bar.........</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117571014?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117571014?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a>Most of these will be Coppernose...my favorite species and our dominant sunfish around here.....</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117570879?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117570879?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a>These fish were caught in heavy down pours in the middle of May.....</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2059841182?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2059841182?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a>Gills caught during a mild period in early April....</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220398108?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220398108?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a>Nice Mid April Gills...Bradford Pear Tree full and green in coastal N.C.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2059843503?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2059843503?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a>Some Late April Hybrids.....on my sister's birthday</p>
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<p></p>2013 NORTH CAROLINA COPPERNOSE CALENDAR........A Sampling of a Great Year......The Dirty Dozentag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2014-01-04:2036984:BlogPost:4676092014-01-04T02:27:40.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220397578?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220397578?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a> January......Liked the dark shades in an otherwise light colored fish......</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117529403?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117529403?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a> February....My mother was born in February and we shared the water on two nice trips in 2013 and she put it on us this day.......Great Fish Donice!…</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220397578?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220397578?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a>January......Liked the dark shades in an otherwise light colored fish......</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117529403?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117529403?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a>February....My mother was born in February and we shared the water on two nice trips in 2013 and she put it on us this day.......Great Fish Donice!</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117500062?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117500062?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a>March.....this fish could hide my entire hand.....what a tall brute with subtle banding.....looks like a mount..</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117570879?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117570879?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a>April.....showers, flowers and frisbee gills......no solo shots of the fish in my left hand because of bad weather.....what a beast......</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117493775?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117493775?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a>May.....enough said.....part of a 100 fish day........</p>
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<p></p>Seasonal Colors of Black Crappietag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-11-24:2036984:BlogPost:4558982013-11-24T15:22:52.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p>Many things that happen in nature are very interesting and the color changes for the Black Crappie species is pretty cool. Down here on the tidal waters these fish go through three distinct color changes which are easy indications of the season. Just curious if the other members that catch a few crappie along the way see similar changes in their region......I've included a few pictures to support these facts......…</p>
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<p>Many things that happen in nature are very interesting and the color changes for the Black Crappie species is pretty cool. Down here on the tidal waters these fish go through three distinct color changes which are easy indications of the season. Just curious if the other members that catch a few crappie along the way see similar changes in their region......I've included a few pictures to support these facts......</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2059843327?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2059843327?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a>In late Winter Black Crappie begin to transition into what I believe to be one of the prettiest fresh water fish colors....Almost appearing to look like an exploded ink pen if you will......they get their infamous "tuxedo" skins on for the spawn peaking in the colors like this fish caught on the 28th of April........</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117563441?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117563441?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a>As the spawn is completed and the waters warm for the Summer, black crappie go through another transition to what is often referred to as "calico" colors like this fish caught in September......they almost appear golden or the white bars will turn yellow on them........</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220397437?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220397437?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a>Finally as the waters begin to cool in Fall and into early Winter the fish go through yet another change and this time the greens are highlighted almost looking emerald like .......This fish was caught in late December and you see how brilliant the green on the shoulders are.......</p>82 Days on the Albemarle.........a view from the Bluegill Chariottag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-07-23:2036984:BlogPost:4121422013-07-23T01:48:03.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p>I decided on a recent trip that I would look back and reflect on a few of the memories of the 2013 season to date....If you have followed me at all on BBG you know that I traditionally count down to Good Friday as this usually marks the end of Winter and our water temperatures begin their slow crawl toward the 60s as we wait impatiently for our beloved Coppernose gills to become active..........Within 75 miles of my residence I have 12 river systems and over 50 creeks that regularly produce…</p>
<p>I decided on a recent trip that I would look back and reflect on a few of the memories of the 2013 season to date....If you have followed me at all on BBG you know that I traditionally count down to Good Friday as this usually marks the end of Winter and our water temperatures begin their slow crawl toward the 60s as we wait impatiently for our beloved Coppernose gills to become active..........Within 75 miles of my residence I have 12 river systems and over 50 creeks that regularly produce quality bluegills which I label as 10" or greater....When It's time to tear April off my calendar I get the chills knowing that May has arrived again and my three best months of the year are finally here.......I have checked every pole twice, retied again and again, put the battery tester on a half dozen times and written list after list to prepare for this moment, as the next 82 days will be a blur on the Albemarle........I have settled down in recent years so that I can really enjoy these moments with friends, family and gills.......I read in a local study that the grass shrimp hatch is one of the best ever and many may think, "well I'll never get a bite with all that forage in the rivers", but I think just the opposite.....it's very important to match the hatch and to fish with live grass shrimp and baits that resemble them.......Of course Doug has nothing to worry about at the local bait store as I have still been responsible for the purchase of 86 tubes of crickets since the first of May....A few local ponds near my neighborhood are producing quality grass shrimp and I go every couple days to fill up my aerated buckets with new specimens.....It would be abnormal to not hear the hum of dueling aerators in my garage this time of year.......I have big plans this season as several new anglers will join me on the Bluegill Chariot including friends from BBG.com and my grandsons also join me for the first trips for us together from a boat.....Twelve anglers fish with me during this 82 day period and 11 of them catch at least one personal best...It's both exciting and rewarding to provide friends and family with this great opportunity that is fishing........Folks from as far away as Louisiana join me in coastal North Carolina to pursue the big gills of the Albemarle.........During this period we experience three full moons and all are very productive and predictable........We have been unseasonably mild through April and the forecast is for more of the same in May.....But I have so many bugs and jigs to try and so little time to get it done......testing is fun and you never want to tell a guy or a gal that their bait doesn't catch fish! But when great imaginations are coupled with my bluegill addiction, big things can happen and in the days ahead I will document 82 days on the Albemarle Estuary between the first of May and the 21st of July..........2013 has been special as I have already topped 1,200 Crappie and 4,100 Sunfish.........If you get one thing from this blog, just remember how important it is to enjoy fishing for what it is and indulge in the memories as they happen....it creates bonds that are not easily broken if ever! Thanks to all the guys and gals that have got out with me this season and allowed me to share my addiction to the beloved Bluegill......I'm too old to change so you can rest assured that I'll be somewhere chasing gills or preparing a feast of those mouth watering fillets........</p>My "Coppernose" Mount Rushmore for May 2013tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-06-01:2036984:BlogPost:3918192013-06-01T02:44:22.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p>The sun has set on May 2013 but not until it went down in history as one of the best May's I've ever had.....traditionally I package my summer vacation every year around the Full moon in June and that is no different this year.......The quality of this year's gills has been better than this time last year.....actually it was 2008 the last time I saw this type of quality....I know Mount Rushmore only has four famous people on it but I couldn't narrow my favorite gills down that far from last…</p>
<p>The sun has set on May 2013 but not until it went down in history as one of the best May's I've ever had.....traditionally I package my summer vacation every year around the Full moon in June and that is no different this year.......The quality of this year's gills has been better than this time last year.....actually it was 2008 the last time I saw this type of quality....I know Mount Rushmore only has four famous people on it but I couldn't narrow my favorite gills down that far from last month....If I had a Bluegill Mount Rushmore for May 2013.....here are the five fish I would put up there.......</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117493775?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117493775?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>It started on the 4th of May...</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117500062?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117500062?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>This fish came along on the 17th of May...</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117502862?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117502862?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Caught this guy the next day on the 18th...</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117505734?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117505734?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>This guy came the following day on the 19th........one of the best bluegill fishing days of the year...</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117506171?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117506171?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>This guy showed up on the 22nd....you can see they have been on the bed a little while and are banged up a bit...</p>
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<p></p>St. Patrick's Day Panfish Bonanza in North Carolinatag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-03-17:2036984:BlogPost:3633272013-03-17T18:55:46.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
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<p>This weekend started with a pretty good Crappie trip on the Little River in northeast North Carolina on Saturday.....The fish were shallow and water temperatures were 51 degrees.....Knowing the eastern division of the North Carolina "Fishers Of Men" National Bass Tournament trail were fishing the Pasquotank River Saturday, I decided to let them have that river for the day.....But one of the teams had made the 20 mile run to fish Little River and I happened to run in to them....They…</p>
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<p>This weekend started with a pretty good Crappie trip on the Little River in northeast North Carolina on Saturday.....The fish were shallow and water temperatures were 51 degrees.....Knowing the eastern division of the North Carolina "Fishers Of Men" National Bass Tournament trail were fishing the Pasquotank River Saturday, I decided to let them have that river for the day.....But one of the teams had made the 20 mile run to fish Little River and I happened to run in to them....They mentioned that they had started on a creek off the Pasquotank and caught several large Crappie shallow on bass jigs....I made a mental note and they added that the water temperature was 54 degrees in that creek......They rushed on by as tourney anglers often do and I was picking up for the day.......</p>
<p> Decisions, decisions, decisions......as I woke up early Sunday morning contemplating whether to go back to the location I caught fish Saturday or head for the creek on the Pasquotank......My friend from Virginia was going to come down and fish with me but a forecast of rain and gusty winds mid morning discouraged him, so just like Saturday, I was to go it alone....I pondered a few more minutes while watching our local forecast on the Weather Channel and decided to go look for the fish on the Pasquotank River.......I had no sooner made the run to this location and got a 1/32 ounce chartreuse Jig head threaded with a 1" Gulp Chartreuse Shad minnow tipped with a live shiner in the water when the first Crappie hit.....Somewhat relieved, just a few minutes go by and another nice crappie takes the offering......I notice the water temperature is 54 degrees and the banks drop off rather quickly but the fish are tucked in to three to four feet of water. I go a little further in the creek and I'm pleasantly surprised by a nice gill taking the Crappie offering.....I'm now standing in my boat because I also recognize surface strikes in my vicinity also.....I send the bait tight to some old weeds and one Crappie after another until I had caught 18 in the first half hour......I changed over to a Crappie Streamer that Tooty had sent me to experiment and it didn't disappoint.....several more Crappie and still very overcast and chilly...Having caught a few gills on minnows, I decide I was going to fish a cricket tipped Cotton Candy micro jig next and the gills responded, so too did the Crappie....I caught 19 more Crappie for a total of 42 for the trip and added 17 more gills which gave me 19 northern strain Bluegill.......One 14" bass allowed me to take a picture too.......It was now 10:15 and knowing I had 20 Crappie to clean from yesterday's trip , I headed back to downtown Elizabeth City to pick up......All fish today were released since I had a nice mess at home already and the gills need to do their work shallow anyway! My friend couldn't believe he had missed such a productive trip and we discussed how our experience with Crappie during and after a cold front was always good provided you could get out and fish.....The moral of this story......listen to anglers conversations for clues.....in this case we only chatted about a minute and they gave me a key clue..........Now I'm excited because I have several creeks holding Crappie shallow and the gills may also be waking up too..........<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117471963?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117471963?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Big fish was 13" today.....solid Crappie..</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117471788?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117471788?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Active fish today..</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117472411?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117472411?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>And some decent Bluegill too....</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117471366?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117471366?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Happy St. Patty's Day Everyone!</p>
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<p></p>Second Best Bluegill for Mr. McKenzietag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-07-14:2036984:BlogPost:2911212012-07-14T01:30:00.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p><a href="http://www.finefishing.com/1freshfish/aaspecies/panfish/bgillrec.htm" target="_blank">http://www.finefishing.com/1freshfish/aaspecies/panfish/bgillrec.htm</a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2078051490?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2078051490?profile=original" width="243"></img></a> <a href="http://www.finefishing.com/1freshfish/aaspecies/panfish/bgillrec.htm" target="_blank"></a></p>
<p>I really enjoyed the story....Many of you may have already read it.....Pretty cool that a little…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.finefishing.com/1freshfish/aaspecies/panfish/bgillrec.htm" target="_blank">http://www.finefishing.com/1freshfish/aaspecies/panfish/bgillrec.htm</a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2078051490?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2078051490?profile=original" width="243" class="align-full"/></a><a href="http://www.finefishing.com/1freshfish/aaspecies/panfish/bgillrec.htm" target="_blank"></a></p>
<p>I really enjoyed the story....Many of you may have already read it.....Pretty cool that a little community lake would hold World Record Gills.....</p>
<p></p>Locating Quality Gills in a Lake Setting......tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-06-20:2036984:BlogPost:2811672012-06-20T01:18:42.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p> Folks have been taking advantage of information sharing on this site since it's inception.....I personally approach bluegill fishing like I can learn something from every member on this site...That's 3200 pieces of information that I can employ in my pursuit of the different Sunfish species.......Many things are important to me but I protect my family and my Bluegill fishing with a passion........I feel that three things make me a successful bluegill angler almost year round as I work to…</p>
<p> Folks have been taking advantage of information sharing on this site since it's inception.....I personally approach bluegill fishing like I can learn something from every member on this site...That's 3200 pieces of information that I can employ in my pursuit of the different Sunfish species.......Many things are important to me but I protect my family and my Bluegill fishing with a passion........I feel that three things make me a successful bluegill angler almost year round as I work to conquer cold water gills in the South.........Effort, Patience and a little fishing luck serve me well year round.......I catch consistent numbers of gills from March through November in the Carolinas with the challenge of finding fish in December and January keeping me sharp.....But this blog is more about the challenge of finding quality gills on the vast lakes and reservoirs of this great nation.......My experience on the nation's lakes is limited to the Southern states of Louisiana, Tennessee and the Carolinas......Many of our lakes are beautiful and very large......The size can be overwhelming to the angler searching for the cooperative species of his or her choice.....My parents moved to Toledo Bend reservoir in the 80s and I still remember the first time I drove to Florein, Louisiana and started seeing little sections of the lake 70 miles from my destination on the shores....I picked up a flyer and it said 1200 miles of shoreline await you on this gem on the Texas/Louisiana line......I asked my dad where do we start?.....Bluegill adrenaline worked against us in the early days as we kept pushing around the next bend........Never being patient and trusting our instincts and fishing an area thoroughly.....One example I'll share is we had always left our little cove behind the house for the big water until one year a severe drought exposed a point and when we took a walk we counted over 500 beds right under our nose and we had never even casted a line in this corner....Water came back in and we caught great fish and numbers right in the backyard......We had to learn and pay attention to our surroundings.......Gills want to naturally go shallow and away from heavy boat traffic in most cases.......I prefer areas with hardwood trees on the bank because this will indicate more sand and clay mix than mud.......In my opinion, most colonies will establish in the same general areas so when the fish are found, check those regions year after year....They won't always be there but many times the fish will be in the same area......Cover is good but Big gills will nest right out on sand bars....so it isn't necessarily a must this time of year......Little fish can be discouraging but catching something is always a better sign than none....I move quickly if I don't get a take rather quickly this time of year.....Lots of little fish and I'll tune my bait or change depths in the areas producing fish to search for the bigger gills........Toledo Bend has water up to 100 feet deep where as Lake Moultrie is not as deep......Moultrie has vast flats which meant I had to cover more water to locate gills........I'll continue to add more insight and feel free to help us out with your advice on lake fishing.......Many members can benefit from our advice and experience.....</p>
<p></p>Bigbluegill.com Hospitality scores big in Carolinatag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-06-14:2036984:BlogPost:2792992012-06-14T02:05:04.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p>Despite all the challenges at home these days, featured member Jim Gronaw took the time to make and send me some great hair jigs and grass shrimp in pink for me to try in my local waters..Been out twice since I received them and it is with great satisfaction that I report tremendous success on the blackwater rivers with Jim's creations......Great talent and a good imagination can create the luck every fisherman is hoping for....Thanks again Jim for the kind gesture.....Here are a few…</p>
<p>Despite all the challenges at home these days, featured member Jim Gronaw took the time to make and send me some great hair jigs and grass shrimp in pink for me to try in my local waters..Been out twice since I received them and it is with great satisfaction that I report tremendous success on the blackwater rivers with Jim's creations......Great talent and a good imagination can create the luck every fisherman is hoping for....Thanks again Jim for the kind gesture.....Here are a few pictures of fish caught on these homemade designs.......<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2167462065?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2167462065?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117366040?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117366040?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117365850?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117365850?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117365569?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117365569?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117364855?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117364855?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>Recognized Carp Fisherman-Jim Gronawtag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-01-25:2036984:BlogPost:2361812012-01-25T21:09:30.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220394808?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220394808?profile=original" width="101"></img></a></p>
<p>I would like to congratulate and thank Jim Gronaw for sharing his recent Carp fishing exploits with the members of Bigbluegill.com. It's a bluegill site and that's what really makes us go but it has been nice during the Winter doldrums to hear and see about some of the other options available right under our noses....Jim would tell us he's no expert but he has…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220394808?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220394808?profile=original" width="101" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>I would like to congratulate and thank Jim Gronaw for sharing his recent Carp fishing exploits with the members of Bigbluegill.com. It's a bluegill site and that's what really makes us go but it has been nice during the Winter doldrums to hear and see about some of the other options available right under our noses....Jim would tell us he's no expert but he has obviously hit on some things that have proven results and great fish.....I added a picture of a Carp honor badge and hope Jim will continue to satisfy one of the four basic wants of life....a little variety!.....I know there is plenty of big gills and hybrids on the way and I'm pumped up about that.....Thanks again Jim and join me in thanking Jim if you agree......A few short months ago I considered Carp a trash fish now I'm reading up and realize how many anglers enjoy catching a Giant Carp...It's now on my bucket list.</p>
<p></p>Color Variations in Bluegill- Anyone else experience this with your Bluegill?tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-01-24:2036984:BlogPost:2357932012-01-24T00:33:28.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117276563?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117276563?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117275999?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117275999?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117276160?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117276160?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a></p>
<p>On a beautiful late July morning last year I went to one of my blackwater rivers and had a great time with some active Coppernose…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117276563?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117276563?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117275999?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117275999?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117276160?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117276160?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>On a beautiful late July morning last year I went to one of my blackwater rivers and had a great time with some active Coppernose Gills.....I have attached five photos of different fish I caught on this morning and the color variation is incredible.....I'm just trying to determine if other members see these variations in their locations.....All of these fish were caught in the same general area yet some have distinct copper patterns, some have banding and one fish pictured has the most distinctive copper coloring I have ever seen on a bluegill.....His entire head was almost electric.......What's interesting to me, if you've seen a male Cardinal, you've seen the same bird everyone else has.......Many of these fish were different despite being the same species........Does anyone else experience this with their gills? Thanks for taking the time to provide input in advance........<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2167392533?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2167392533?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117277218?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117277218?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2167392533?profile=original" target="_self"></a></p>Familiar faces in the King Fisher Society "Bluegill Gallery"!tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2011-08-23:2036984:BlogPost:1977972011-08-23T01:29:49.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p>Congratulations Bruce Condello and Jim Gronaw for your featured photos in the King Fisher Society's "Bluegill Gallery". Richmond Mill Lake is awesome and they got it right when they featured you guys in the Bluegill section. Two passionate people about everything Bluegill and great contributors to this site. Its worth taking a few minutes to check them out folks when you can pull yourself away from Bigbluegill.com :-)</p>
<p>Congratulations Bruce Condello and Jim Gronaw for your featured photos in the King Fisher Society's "Bluegill Gallery". Richmond Mill Lake is awesome and they got it right when they featured you guys in the Bluegill section. Two passionate people about everything Bluegill and great contributors to this site. Its worth taking a few minutes to check them out folks when you can pull yourself away from Bigbluegill.com :-)</p>As the leaves start to change so too will the Gills.tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2011-08-17:2036984:BlogPost:1946892011-08-17T03:00:00.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117226602?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117226602?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a></p>
<p> I slow things down in the fall and obviously look deeper around structure adjacent to the bedding areas. Sharp contrast to a late Spring pattern or early Summer where the goal is to cover as much water as possible in those potential bedding locations. In the brackish waters in Carolina I will look for 4 to 8 feet of water and work those areas with a very…</p>
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<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117226602?profile=original"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117226602?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p> I slow things down in the fall and obviously look deeper around structure adjacent to the bedding areas. Sharp contrast to a late Spring pattern or early Summer where the goal is to cover as much water as possible in those potential bedding locations. In the brackish waters in Carolina I will look for 4 to 8 feet of water and work those areas with a very slow presentation often sitting in areas for several minutes.<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117226407?profile=original"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117226407?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" class="align-center"/></a> A look back at this photo reminds me that the bass also become more active with the cooling water temperatures and look at there, Mr. Crappie and the Yellow Perch are catchable as well. The changing weather is a relief to the fishermen who have endured the record heat of 2011...<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117227694?profile=original"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117227694?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p> Nice Fall largemouth are picked up in the same areas the gills are populating. Its always popular to get the kinks out of your light tackle!<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220396273?profile=original"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220396273?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p> Many of these fish were actually caught trolling deeper in a very productive creek in the Spring and Summer. So as the Ice Fisherman up North start looking ahead with excitement there is still time to find some nice gills in the South before the cold arrives. So keep your lines tight and remember Football is not the only thing happening in the Fall!</p>
<p> </p>Full Moon this month is Saturday night 8/13/2011tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2011-08-02:2036984:BlogPost:1895522011-08-02T01:30:51.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220393466?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220393466?profile=original" width="640"></img></a> Full Moon Brightens the Albemarle Sound. The last full moon of this Summer is coming up on Saturday night the 13th of August. In the Southeast, it is my opinion that this moon phase is a milestone for the gills moving out and off the beds. Fish have already started to transition in some areas and two more weeks of the heat will continue to bump the water temperatures up near…
<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220393466?profile=original"><img width="640" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2220393466?profile=original" class="align-full"/></a> Full Moon Brightens the Albemarle Sound. The last full moon of this Summer is coming up on Saturday night the 13th of August. In the Southeast, it is my opinion that this moon phase is a milestone for the gills moving out and off the beds. Fish have already started to transition in some areas and two more weeks of the heat will continue to bump the water temperatures up near 90 degrees pushing the fish out. Take advantage of this moon phase for some rapid fire action that will most likely be over until the Spring of 2012...Travis Jackson catches the North Carolina Shellcracker Record 5/19/2008tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2011-07-29:2036984:BlogPost:1882132011-07-29T23:35:52.000ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117277342?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117277342?profile=original" width="600"></img></a> Mrs. Jackson pulled her son away from his Sony Playstation that day in May three years ago and Travis soon landed the fish pictured in a farm pond in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. The fish measured 15 and 1/16 inches long and had a girth of 18 and 1/8 inches! The weight was certified @ a local Piggly Wiggly grocery store in nearby Rocky Mount. That's why I fish because you…
<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117277342?profile=original"><img width="600" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2117277342?profile=original" class="align-full"/></a>Mrs. Jackson pulled her son away from his Sony Playstation that day in May three years ago and Travis soon landed the fish pictured in a farm pond in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. The fish measured 15 and 1/16 inches long and had a girth of 18 and 1/8 inches! The weight was certified @ a local Piggly Wiggly grocery store in nearby Rocky Mount. That's why I fish because you just never know what the next cast holds! Great fish Travis. Five pounders are rare but many North Carolina rivers have consistent catches of 2 pound plus shellcrackers.....Nice to look back every once in awhile and congrats again Travis.