Bluegill are the cure for nightmares

[JBplusThuy]

.... well, sorta :-)

Our three year old woke us up at 5:00 AM because the had a nightmare. After getting her settled again, I was still awake at 6:00 because of the adrenaline of being suddenly awakened, and getting hungry besides. So I did what any reasonable person would do: got out of bed, told my wife I was going fishing and have a nice day at work, then drove over to the local ponds.

I got there at sunrise, under a heavy overcast. It was a bit slow, and when the sun burned through the overcast around 10:00, everything absolutely shut down except for the fingerling LMB that continued to harass me. I added a handful of gills to what I caught last night, now we have enough for dinner. I'm starting to think the only bluegill in the ponds bigger than 6 inches was the one I saw somebody catch a couple weeks ago that looked to be around 8 inches. She's the person who told me that wax worms are about the only thing that consistently works here, and my research seems to indicate she was right.

If I caught a gill that big here, I'd release it. Kind of wish she had. OTOH, I heard today that they're about to drain the ponds again to bulldoze out the silt. The last time was 7 or 8 years ago, and the fishing seems to have about recovered. What timing :-(  Still, if I catch any really big 'gill, I'll release it in the hope that somehow they'll leave enough water for it to survive.

[Rick King]

Very well stated/. And a nice story.........

[Leo Nguyen]

As long you have a nice morning at the water hole to catch a few relaxation hours, and gills. Wait until you fully settle down here in the local southern waters. Plenty of private and public water to make your mouth water when you can get to them.

[JBplusThuy]

I recently heard the term "bass thumb" and saw some pics of what it looks like. After the 19 'gills I kept for dinner this week (on the menu for tonight :-)  and the dozen or more baby bass I released, I have bluegill palm :-)  Punctures and scrapes galore, but I'm glad to have them :-)

About halfway through it, I learned a new trick I wish I'd known or thought of years ago: cut the dorsal fin off with a kitchen scissors as step one. It prevents most punctures, and my bluegill palm would be even worse if I hadn't learned that.

You have access to private water in a SoCal (a thing that makes hen's teeth look downright common)?!  Leo, I think you're my new best friend ;-)

[Leo Nguyen]

LOL. I hear you about the BG palm. I've learned that mistake years ago prepping fish while I was in high school. I've learned a few techniques to descale fish without worrying in getting the fishy palm. Although, I would be covered in scales afterwards, minus any scrape, cuts, or injury. My wife loves to fish, but she gave me the pleasure in cleaning up the fish. Joy..glorious joy..

I do know a few private lakes and ponds around here. However, special permissions are needed, which, working for and under certain city and state agencies has its benefit.