The best way to fish for gills

[joshua2236]

I would like you all to help me out with how you all like to fish for gills/sunfish. Whether it be the bait you use or electronics you use to find schools of them swimming around.

Thanks,
Joshua2236

[Zig]

I've never graphed any 'gills lower then the thermocline on my home waters. Within in, but never below it.

Can't speak for MM's situations; we fish at it, or above it.

[Bill "Musky" Modica]

The post-spawn giants I target in deep water exist on very deep flats that coincide with the thermocline at 35 ft....a proverbial block party.

[Steve Crowder]

Joshua, as I mostly fly fish and bluegill being my favorite sport, I think you will truly love fly fishing for them. There are many flies to choose from to fish for bluegill. If you tie your own flies, experimenting is the way to go. Go to www.warmwaterflytyer.com for some good recipes. Try the Panfish Polecat. You'll like it. Good luck.

[joshua2236]

yes steve as a matter a fact i do tie my own flies. I find it very relaxing. thanx for the site.

[Ken G]

Joshua,

The really great thing about bluegills is that there are so many ways to catch them. The methods change through the seasons, and they change slightly from water hole to water hole.

We all owe Bruce a big THANK YOU for this website. For years I was embarrassed to tell people that I was a big bluegill fan. I also enjoyed a lot of other fishing too -- but bluegills have been pretty high on my list for over 50 years.

Probably my most favorite method of fishing for bluegill, whether in ponds, lakes, or rivers, is to use a #2 long shank gold hook baited with about 1/3 of a night crawler, or 2-4 redworms. I put a small split-shot sinker 12-16 inches above the hook. I mostly use 4-6 lb. test line, sometimes it is on a lightweight spinning combo, sometimes it is on a modern version of a telescoping fiberglass 13-foot "cane pole." A minor variation is to use a floating jig head. I let the hook and sinker sink to the bottom. If I don't get a hit within 30-60 seconds, I pull it up about a foot, and again let it settle, and let it sit for another 30-60 seconds.

However, I've also had very good luck using the same basic technique using small rubberized baits. I prefer white or pumpkinseed grubs, or natural colored 4-inch worms. I just pull them in a little faster than using natural bait.

Since you tie flies, I've certainly had a lot of fun with flies and small poppers. Actually, I've caught most of my largest bluegills with flies or small poppers. If the fish are rising to bugs on the water, the flyrod is out almost immediately.

Good luck,
Ken

[Alex]

I really like to use A white 2inch twister tail with I think A 1/32 ounce jighead, its been killer for Gills and hybrids. The way I like to fish them is just simply cast out let it sink down as far as you want and then slowly retreive it maybe with a couple twitches here and there. This is just what has been working for me, so try to vary your retreives.

good luck,
Alex

[joshua2236]

I have another guestion for you all. I am having two problems with my open face reel. One of the problems are that my reel is not casting very far. Another problem is that my line keeps on knotting up on me. If any of you can help it is most appreciated.

[Ken G]

"I have another question for you all. I am having two problems with my open face reel. One of the problems are that my reel is not casting very far. Another problem is that my line keeps on knotting up on me. If any of you can help it is most appreciated."

Joshua,

It sounds like your line is twisted. Twisting comes from at least two sources. The first is due to loading the line incorrectly from a spool of new line. The second is because your baits and lures are twisting the line as you reel them in.

You have two choices:

You can replace your line. Make sure to read the loading instructions with the line. It can be loaded three different ways - Right, Left, or Sideways. If wound the wrong direction, it sure can make casting difficult, and it will cause lots of knots and twists in your line if it is allowed to be just a little loose. Not all lines and all reels are created equal.

Your second choice it to take the twists out of your line. The easiest way it to put a swivel at the end of your line.

Tie a swivel to the end of your line. Tie it to something solid. Keeping tension on the line, walk backward until all the line is off your reel. Pull the line hard several times, trying to get the swivel to unravel the twists. Then, using reasonable tension, reel the line back in.

That should get you back to casting.

Keep us posted,
Ken

[jdfish]

I was having the same problem with my ultra light Daiwa 500Cs even though I was sure I was spooling the line correctly. After respooling I stretched my line using a ball bearing swivel and pulled the line behind my boat to untwist the line. All with no luck. I finally respooled with a light weight braid (Spider Wire) and have had no further problems with twists. I am getting considerably longer casts with the braid. I know braids have their own sets of problems but so far I like it better. At least it is a option to try.
JDFish

[creekx]

I usually always start out with a lure ( small jerkbait, small crankbait or jig) of some kind, if this plan fails I fall back to using a nitecrawler tail on a drop shot rig don't laugh this rig was made for deep big gills.

[Steve Crowder]

Ken G is right Joshua, about winding the line the right way on your spinning real. Also make sure you completely fill the spool with line. Not enough line on the reel will shorten your cast. Make sure you are using the right size line for your reel size. Good luck.

[Michael J. Searl]

This being my first post, I wish to thank Bruce for the great site.
I use many methods for fishing bluegill. My most favored is a 7' to 8' UL rod w/Shimano Symetre 1000 reel. Power Pro 8# to conserve jigs.. I have many other set ups with rods from 16' to 4' 1/2" but like the 8' best. I love to use my Fat Cat float tube and getting it set up pretty much the way I need it now. I run an Eagle 320C sonar ,powered by a 7 amp-12v gel cell battery. This may well be an overkill but was advised that it is easier to see and find it true. I use this rig in ponds,lakes and strip pits. There are times when I just deadstick a hair jig w/ shot a foot above, and times in shallower water when I use a float. I normally tip my jigs with wax worms or the giant red worms I'm raising.
I tie jigs and gill flies for my own use and gifts for friends. . I'll see if I can include pics. of my tube set-up. I have 3 rods in the picture, but seldom take but one. ole Mmike