Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

If I could remember the lake or pond where I caught them I would have a better idea. That's what happens when your memory starts going. lol

I'm sure this is a bluegill because I caught it in a Michigan lake.


This fish was taken in Alabama but I can't remember where, One of the ponds I fished has both copper nose and regular bluegills. It is however darker than most bluegills. What do you think?


This fish came from down south and I'm pretty sure it is a shellcracker and I think you will confirm that.


I'm not sure about this one, but I suspect it is a copper nose. I think it came from Georgia.


Anyway it was something to do on a cool rainy day. My river is almost over its banks after the last 3 day warm up and most of the snow is gone too. Snow is in the forcast for tonight. Cabin fever!

On the positive side, the high water will draw the steelhead up. The river is closed until April 1st, but that isn't far away.

Views: 2838

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

1. Standard bluegill--dominant younger male, probably currently nest guarding.

2. Standard bluegill--dominant older male, not currently nest guarding.

3. Redear sunfish (shellcracker)--female

4. Standard bluegill X coppernose bluegill hybrid--male. Seems to have mostly standard characteristics, however appears to have the white fin fringe of CNBG.

Just guesses. Anybody else?
bruce hit the nail on the head 100 percent
I agree with you Bruce
Casey
I don't believe #3 is a shellcracker due to the lack of mottling in the facial area....possibly BGxPS cross
Whats a PS?
Pumpkin Seed, I think.
Just for the heck of it, here's a photo of a purebred RES caught on my farm.

This is another picture of the same fish. Looks like the one in your picture Bruce except the gill flap on yours is red and kind of yellow on mine. Could be a cross, but since I haven't caught as many as you guys, I'll leave it up to you. The fish is about 12" if that helps.

Good photo. There's a lot of variability in eartab coloration on pure redears. I strongly suspect a pure female redear, but oftentimes you can get fish that are hybrids that strongly resemble one of the parent species, or you can get a fish that has maybe 1/16 or 1/32 of a particular parent----it's very hard to tell, and truly a guessing game. It's fun, but difficult to prove either way.
This pic is much more defining.....female RES.
ray that is a female chink for sure,and good eaten too.






gators are ugly
Very helpful, so much in fact, I have a couple more. This is just a guess, but I think this fish is a green sunfish?


This fish I caught in southern Flordia. I'm saying it's a bluegill, but the southern fish seem to be darker than the bluegills in Michigan. Are they a different strain?

RSS

Latest Activity

wag replied to Danny Phillips's discussion Boats
" Sold 17 ft and bought a 2017 Xpress 16 ft front stick steer with 40 hp Yamaha ob.  "
9 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Big Sow Full of Eggs….3/30/2025

"Understand John….we were so windy in March ……..hope it drops off…"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Big Sow Full of Eggs….3/30/2025

"I have yet to see 50 degree WT and it's too windy today."
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Big Sow Full of Eggs….3/30/2025

"Always welcome…….I waited 16 days to go from 50 to 60 on this river….its a…"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Big Sow Full of Eggs….3/30/2025

"Great intel, Jeff! Thanks!"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Big Sow Full of Eggs….3/30/2025

"Not in my region Dick….typically our shallow crappie bite centers around the March full…"
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Nice Predator up Shallow….3/30/2025

"Thanks Dick…..the Bassmasters Elite series comes to town for the North Carolina open next…"
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Monday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Big Sow Full of Eggs….3/30/2025

"Jeffrey don't it seam like the crappy bite is a little early?"
Monday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Nice Predator up Shallow….3/30/2025

"A great test for any panfish gear. Congrats."
Monday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Monday
dick tabbert commented on Troy Dorman's photo
Monday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Troy Dorman's photo
Monday
John Sheehan commented on Troy Dorman's photo
Thumbnail

Big male redear from today!!

"Fine Fish1From shore also!"
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Troy Dorman's photo
Thumbnail

Big male redear from today!!

"Pretty Troy…..let’s go!"
Sunday
Troy Dorman posted a photo
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Grandson Cody and I splashed this afternoon…mixed bag of 38 fish dominated by shallow black crappie…surface temperatures up to 66.2 degrees"
Sunday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service