Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Late Fall - Early Winter Dock fishing

Hi Everyone,
Took the boat out last week to do some fishing. Came across a pattern for catching Crappie several years ago which seems to be reliable, as it occurs every year around this time in midwestern Illinois.

The Crappie start moving shallow once the water temperature starts to drop into the lower 50's to mid 40 degree range. I target the ends of boat docks in the marinas. Many of the docks have two poles at the sides of each boat slip, which the dock floors slide up and down on with the waves. The poles are set in the bottom of the lake, and most have a horizontal crossbar which connects and supports the two poles. The poles get covered with algae, which attracts insects, minnows, and game fish which stay suspended around the cover.

I started out fishing with jigs & minnows, and a slip-cork. Caught several Crappie, but they were just shy of the 10" length limit on Crappie at this lake. So I switched to my jigging pole which had a 1/20th ounce Yellow Chartreuse jig head with red soft plastic bait.

Vertically jigging slowly up and down...around the docks, it didn't take long to get bit. And the first fish was a keeper. Water temps were in the mid to upper 40's, but the fish were hitting the bait hard.

Caught a number of nice Crappie & landed a very nice Largemouth Bass, which was a surprise! I released the Bass after a quick picture.

Hoping to get out a few more times, but Ol' man winter is approaching fast. Won't be long till we are ice fishing!

Till next time....tight lines!

Greg

Views: 479

Comment

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

Join Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Comment by Jim Gronaw on December 2, 2010 at 8:24pm
Chubber largemouth!

Latest Activity

John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
4 hours ago
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's album
Thumbnail

Watershed Fishing 2025

"Thanks Dick, hoping for bigger Smallmouths after we get used to this 425 acre body of water, with a…"
4 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Love This Netted Coppernose……Best of 2025

"Thanks Dick…..my favorite picture of 2025…..loved the markings"
23 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

More From Great Fishing on 5/18 & 5/19…….

"We are very fortunate to have an abundant supply of fliers Dick…..I’ve made a lot of…"
23 hours ago
dick tabbert commented on John Sheehan's album
Thumbnail

Watershed Fishing 2025

"Lookin good John,."
yesterday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

More From Great Fishing on 5/18 & 5/19…….

"That guys on my bucket list."
yesterday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Love This Netted Coppernose……Best of 2025

"Nice coppers as always Jeff."
yesterday
dick tabbert commented on Jim Gronaw's photo
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Lots of Predators in May…..5/22/2025

"Thanks Slip…..hope you’re doing well!"
yesterday
Slip Sinker commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Lots of Predators in May…..5/22/2025

"Thanks Bruce….Have a great Memorial Day weekend…."
Friday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Friday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Lots of Predators in May…..5/22/2025

A lot of largemouth are guarding Frye…..when you cross through the pod with your bait it may be…
Thursday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Clinton Reservoir Smallie 3

"Bucktail!…..old reliable……"
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Clinton Reservoir Smallie1

"Very nice…..we had great weather over the weekend but now we have a May Noreaster tomorrow…"
Wednesday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Greg's 1st of two

"Watershed Property ,Jeff. Yes very pretty .I told Greg ,Indians still live there ,lol!"
Wednesday
John Sheehan posted an album
Wednesday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service