Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

can anyone suggest some effective cranbaits for gills?   i've a few but am not familiar with all the newer stuff on the market.  i'm well stocked with the smallest rapalas and some crawdad patterns.  thanks.

Views: 2347

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

rich; these are but a few of the ones I use for bluegill;; all proven catchers !!  I also changed the rear treble hooks; for a single hook;; makes for easier un-hooking;;;;  also;; on the main page; Jim Gronaw tells of a tail gunner tactic by using a -- behind the crankbait offering;;  its deadly to !!   hope this helps some buddy !

Wow ,quite an arsenal Carl!! There's also a teeny torpedo prop bait ( Not really a crank bait) and snap Beans that are good sized .If you can suspend a tiny crankbait with a bit of split shot and work it slow its a great panfish technique when they are active .

thanks John;; thing is;; I couldnt get all of my blue gill crank baits into one pix; for clarity;; and;; I have always been one for going a trifle-- overboard; getting fishing stuff;; LOL.  I always get ; 2 or 3 of the same crankbaits-- that WORK !!    because sooner or later; your going to loose one !

Yo Zuri Pin Minnow with a chain dropper tipped with a GULP Pink Waxie

 

Rapala mini cranks, yozuri snap beans ( if u can find em ) there is a good replica of them available on eBay you can get ten for eight bucks and they are beautifully made, in China obviously ..rebel and strike king make some effective crank baits for bluegills good luck.

I use the Strike King Bitsy Minnow in all colors but solid white and fire tiger seem to work best for me. I also like the Arkie Crappie Crank and the Rebel Teeny Craw is one of my favorites. I hope this helps Rich.

The smallest bomber fat a. Eighth oz, 1.5 inches long with #10 trebles works great for me. Retrieve slow so it acts like a wake bait. Bluegills won't be the only species you hook.

I'll have to try that one if I can find one. What color do you catch them on? I have caught plenty crappie and bass on mini cranks. I have lost a few really big largemouth that spit the tiny hooks or break off.

Been try'n to find some gill sized crank baits also, stumbled across a write up on the snap beans, never heard of them untill then, done a google and found some on ebay, may have to get a few before spring gets here.

 

Fire tiger and craw, but think just about any color will work. Majority of strikes from 'gills will happen during a pause.

Johnny;; just for thought;; trout magnate  also makes some good crankbaits; skinny; a bit long; look like rainbow trout;; but still excellent crankbaits for blue gills.  and dont forget about Jim Gronaws tactic; of tail gunning blue gills !!  tie a nymp type fly onto the rear of a crank bait;; work it slow ;; its deadly !!

RSS

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Wanaque river Crappie

"Below is a sample of what I call a cricket spin…my belief is that the rubber legs a ways…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

1st2026Pickerel 43.7 WATER TEMP

"Pickerel and Bluegill are my only open Water 2026 fish so far, Jeff.! Hope to get on the Perch,…"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Grabbed a paddle tail swimbait in 44.7 degree water

"I wanna stay on this and see and hope activity improves."
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Kept Twenty-Three Fish on Sunday……3/20/2026

Nice mess of medium gills and some tuxedo crappie…
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Monster River Crappie….How Do You Do……3/23/2026

"Released to fill the thrill again!"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Crappie Was Still The Top PlayerToday…..3/23/2026

"It was 64.2 on Monday but it has fell back to 60 today after two nights in the…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Wanaque river Crappie

"I love this…….we throw a cricket spin more often than a beetle spin but both are very…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Grabbed a paddle tail swimbait in 44.7 degree water

"My surface temps are right around 60 degrees today, down a few degrees from Monday before the cold…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

1st2026Pickerel 43.7 WATER TEMP

"Nice….you’re still bundled up but it was cold down here this morning…"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Wanaque river Crappie

"Yes Jeff ! Using old school nostalgic Baits ramps up the enjoyment for me! Brother Greg too."
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Crappie Was Still The Top PlayerToday…..3/23/2026

"Nice! What water temps you getting?"
yesterday
John Sheehan posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

My First Crappie With a Spawning Scar……3/23/2026

This is an indication to me that these fish are getting very tight to shallow wood so I wanted to…
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

My Very Next Cast Was a Nice Black Crappie at Sunrise….3/23/2026

I felt real good about the fishing ahead of the cold front but kept waiting for the big winds to…
Wednesday

© 2026   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service