Do you love big bluegill?

Zach Pierce's Comments

Comment Wall (14 comments)

At 4:00pm on February 24, 2012, Bill "Musky" Modica said…: Filleting bluegills part 1

Part 2

At 5:09pm on September 14, 2011, Jeffrey D. Abney said…: I do keep alot of bluegill and actually prefer a 6 to 7 inch gill to filet. Our limit in North Carolina is 30 and I usually keep 30 but I'm considering a Catch and Release approach with the gills that are over a pound. That is a direct result of the recommendations received from this site. I already release hundreds of largemouth bass under 14 inches in length, which I prefer to eat over a larger fish, but I'm in compliance with all local fishing regulations. I hope to catch a big Seed someday so I choose to release nearly all of them in an effort to allow further growth, thats all. Sorry for the confusion Zach.

At 8:06am on June 23, 2011, Jeffrey D. Abney said…: Thanks for your comments Zach. I fish a total of twelve river systems in North Carolina and two in Virginia. Although I have caught over a thousand nice Bream the last month I do not over fish any one area. I have caught big fish in each of these rivers for 14 years in a row. Coppernose is my favorite fish to target. I've also been going to the Santee Coopoer lakes in S.C since 1983 and 1990 the year after Hurricane Hugo was the only year I didn't have large catches of Shellcrackers...The only experience I have with Ponds were in Louisiana by Interstate 55 and the fishing there was hit and miss regardless. Good Luck to you this week.

At 11:28am on June 16, 2011, Jeffrey D. Abney said…: Afternoon Zach, all of my fish have been in 1 to 5 feet of water using crickets. I fish brackish rivers in the flooded cypress banks. We caught some more nice gills this morning before the wind jumped above 20 mph. Thanks for the questions.

At 3:33am on June 15, 2011, Jeffrey D. Abney said…: I release anything over 1.5 pounds in an effort to catch a record someday. Hand size or a bit bigger is what I keep. But in my opinion some of the smaller gills must be harvested for a good balance in a particular area.

At 3:26am on June 15, 2011, Jeffrey D. Abney said…: Zach I filet 95% of the gills I catch and scale a few to fry whole for family that prefer them that way. As for the limit, North Carolina has a 30 Bream limit per person per day for a combination of all species. My dad and nephew are visiting this month so that accounts for 90. I can filet 30 fish an hour so I spend many evenings @ my fish cleaning station. Full moon is today, June 15th! I find the fishing to be better around the full moon but not all folks would agree. Thanks for your comments and good luck to you.

At 3:52pm on June 14, 2011, Jeffrey D. Abney said…: Thanks for the question Zach but I don't have a taste for Bowfin. Although many folks in my native Louisiana will eat them, we always release Bowfin.

At 10:26am on June 1, 2011, Jeffrey D. Abney said…: The fish in the picture were mainly good hand sized gills. In Northeast N. C. it is not uncommon to find beds with lots of 1 pounders on them. Full moon in June/July is peak!

At 11:41am on March 9, 2011, Derrick said…: Welcome to the group. Have fun share stories.

At 9:19am on March 9, 2011, Walt Foreman said…: Post photos of the fish and I'll give them a look.

At 6:56am on September 10, 2010, Magnolia Rick said…: The Texas Fish Stock ( I think ) they're in Bryan Texas got 4 to 6" for 45cent each. I'd go to Overton now for any fish I buy. Give them a call. I know they have them

At 3:03pm on August 1, 2010, Magnolia Rick said…: Zach
Don't get to worked up about you fish. The HBG produce 90% male. I found this out after I stocked my pond. I found a fish supplier down here by me and I add 100 6" long BG. With a small pond like you and I have we can fish out the ones we don't want and have fun doing it

At 1:11pm on July 23, 2010, Magnolia Rick said…: http://www.aquamaxbass.com/aqua_man_02.html
Check out this site when "Bob" The pond boss king say use this for big fish. I use this lol

At 4:45pm on May 26, 2010, Greg McWilliams said…: Hi Zach, Welcome to BBG. I love crappie but Bg and RES fight a lot harder the crappie. I fish a light weight fly rod REs fight harder than BG. Either on on a F.R. puts a big bend in the rod. Beautiful Vibrations.
Most city lakes are stocked with blue gill. I see you are from Bartlesville, Lake Hudson, Osage State Park are both good lakes.
Red Ear hang close to the bottom not nesisarily deep usually along weed beds.
Warmouths like rocky areas and are usually close to bottom
They like minnow paterns.