Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

I fished one of my favorite lakes today: Lake Manatee, located nine miles east of Interstate 75 off State Road 64 in eastern Manatee County. It's about 25 miles from my house.
I've been fishing this lake regularly for the past three years and it has been productive.
Today was no exceptions. Fishing wasn't fast, but it was steady. I caught a lot of quality fish.
I used my FLY (Fuzzy Leach Yarn) Nymph on a No. 8 hook. First time for this fly. I was about ready to give it up when I hooked the first decent fish.
Ended up catching some nice bluegill, speckled perch (black crappie), golden shiners and bass (all small).
I used a 1-weight fly rod with 3.5-pound leader. I put a striked indicator about three feet above the fly.
The tilipia probably went 4, 4.5 pounds. Put up a terrific fight. So did the specks, which average about 1 1/2 pounds.
Lake Manatee is a wonderful lake and I love fishing there.

Speckled perch:


Tilapia:


Another nice speck:


Bluegill:

Views: 416

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Sounds like a great fishery you have there Steve. They must be loving that buggy pattern. Great photos.
How does one get the drool off the keyboard???? lol ole Mike
That tilapia is a horse!

You've got a real knack for beautiful photos. That coppernose bluegill practically jumps off the web page at me!!! I also think that I can see the reflection of the horizon in that crappie's eyes.

Beautiful.
Nice fish, what are you fishing out of ?
I fish out of a Native Watercraft Ultimate 14.5.
Wow!......That big ole Gill is really dark...the resolutions are fantastic!.......now I need a new camera.

RSS

Latest Activity

John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

octcbp2

"You know it ,Dick!"
Friday
dick tabbert commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

octcbp2

"Great eating fish for sure."
Friday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Had to Pause on This Evening……11/22/2024

"What a beautiful site to behold."
Friday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's group Multi Panfish
"hit a spin Jig.9""
Nov 29
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Nov 28
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's group Piscatorial Pursuit of Perch
"Fall Perch on big Crank Bait:"
Nov 26
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Nov 26
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's group Piscatorial Pursuit of Perch
"It amazes me how big a bait a late Summer/ Fall Perch will take! "
Nov 26
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

octcbp2

"It amazes me how big a bait a late Summer/ Fall Perch will take! "
Nov 26
John Sheehan commented on Wade Jones's group Crappie Crew
"2024 Crappie Fall catches from shore. Live Grubs, Gulp 1" Minnow, 2" paddle Tail Minnow…"
Nov 26
John Sheehan posted photos
Nov 19
John Sheehan posted photos
Nov 16
John Sheehan posted photos
Nov 14
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

11cupsawc

"Crappie have always impressed me with the way they look! A very fond memory is the first one I…"
Nov 13
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

11cupsawc

"More beautiful golden Fall colors on the Black Crappie…..nice fish!"
Nov 12
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

cupsawbg9bs

"Nice gill on the beetle spin!"
Nov 12
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

cupsawc

"Like the calico colors of the Fall…..nice crappie John!"
Nov 12
Bruce Tomaselli commented on John Sheehan's photo
Nov 11
John Sheehan posted photos
Nov 10
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

STCrappie

"You bet Bruce! Fishing for an hour to an hour and a half each day I 've been getting three or…"
Nov 10

© 2024   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service