Shellcracker lakes that seem to be HOT right now - Bluegill - Big Bluegill2024-03-28T11:22:17Zhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/forum/topics/shellcracker-lakes-that-seem-to-be-hot-right-now?commentId=2036984%3AComment%3A292466&feed=yes&xn_auth=noWhat Kip said is the best she…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-07-21:2036984:Comment:2938812012-07-21T22:21:05.775ZTroy Dormanhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/TroyDorman
<p>What Kip said is the best shellcracker advice I've read on this site. From right now through the end of October or early Nov., these fish will be primarily in 12 foot of water or so and directly on the bottom. I'm going to go after them pretty hard starting in August and fish right up through the first of November. The Fall is usually a great time to catch redear because they're feeding fairly well for the winter.</p>
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<p>I watch people in boats fish right next to the bank, happens…</p>
<p>What Kip said is the best shellcracker advice I've read on this site. From right now through the end of October or early Nov., these fish will be primarily in 12 foot of water or so and directly on the bottom. I'm going to go after them pretty hard starting in August and fish right up through the first of November. The Fall is usually a great time to catch redear because they're feeding fairly well for the winter.</p>
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<p>I watch people in boats fish right next to the bank, happens all the time. These folks generally don't do very well because the bigger bluegill and especially redear, are in deeper water during this time of year.</p> I have used a similar techniq…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-07-19:2036984:Comment:2928352012-07-19T02:45:00.193ZVince Fuscohttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/VinceFusco
<p>I have used a similar technique on the lakes I have been fishing here in GA. I am not catching nearly as large of crackers, but this method is definately a winner no matter where you live. I use a size 6 circle hook to keep the number of gut hooked fish down.</p>
<p>I have used a similar technique on the lakes I have been fishing here in GA. I am not catching nearly as large of crackers, but this method is definately a winner no matter where you live. I use a size 6 circle hook to keep the number of gut hooked fish down.</p> western branch as well as the…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-07-19:2036984:Comment:2927262012-07-19T02:02:12.782Zkip noblitthttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/kipnoblitt
<p>western branch as well as the other four lakes within 5 miles of there all contain big shellcrackers, and a couple of those lakes to me are alot better than branch. I'm not bragging but Iv'e never registered a cracker for a citation, and have caught hundreds over a pound. If ya want to come down here and try for them, the dead heat of the summer is the time when you stand a better chance of scoring a big one. the mistake alot of people make is fishing those beautiful shorelines and nothing…</p>
<p>western branch as well as the other four lakes within 5 miles of there all contain big shellcrackers, and a couple of those lakes to me are alot better than branch. I'm not bragging but Iv'e never registered a cracker for a citation, and have caught hundreds over a pound. If ya want to come down here and try for them, the dead heat of the summer is the time when you stand a better chance of scoring a big one. the mistake alot of people make is fishing those beautiful shorelines and nothing else. the best fishing Iv'e had is in about 12-13 ft of water, they like that depth alot there, as the visibility is pretty clear. oh, redworms are tops for bait, put two or three on a size 4 or 2 lite wire crappie hook, with two or three large split shot up the line about 2 or 3 foot, throw several lines out, let them go to the bottom and watch your rod tips. If you are hanging up on wood, leave the bait there, they hang around stumps and debris on the bottom.</p> What you say is true David, t…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-07-18:2036984:Comment:2923742012-07-18T16:35:56.952ZTony Livingstonhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/TonyLivingston
<p>What you say is true David, the fish could very well expire, especially if it were hooked deeply. Still, I now favor photographs over a mount.....just my personal feelings, not meant to influence anyone else's decision at all.</p>
<p>When I catch a large fish, I take numerous photos of it, including some on a scale and against a rule. Take a few more with myself or someone else holding the fish for perspective, and I'm satisfied.</p>
<p>I used to be all into quantity, with large catches and…</p>
<p>What you say is true David, the fish could very well expire, especially if it were hooked deeply. Still, I now favor photographs over a mount.....just my personal feelings, not meant to influence anyone else's decision at all.</p>
<p>When I catch a large fish, I take numerous photos of it, including some on a scale and against a rule. Take a few more with myself or someone else holding the fish for perspective, and I'm satisfied.</p>
<p>I used to be all into quantity, with large catches and big numbers of fish providing the benchmark by which I measured my success. Not anymore.</p>
<p>The truth? I would rather grow Bluegills than catch Bluegills. If I were to give up BG fishing tomorrow, I've been fortunate to have caught enough for several lifetimes. Now, it's about big fish, not big numbers. And a big fish, is a rare fish.</p>
<p>Bob Lusk once mentioned that catching a 2 lb. BG is the equivalent of catching a 15 lb. Largemouth Bass. Kinda' puts things into perspective. I've seen too many trophy walls, with more than one big BG hanging on them. There always seems to be a bigger fish caught down the road, one that negates the smaller fish already mounted, fish that might've reached a greater size had they been released back when.</p>
<p>As I mentioned, my original goal was a BG weighing 1.5 lbs. However, after watching a fish grow from 3" to 10.5", and seeing what it takes for a fish to reach that size, my desire to hang it on the wall is gone. I would love to catch a 2 pounder, and I tell myself that if I do, I'll keep that fish. But deep down, I know I won't. And I won't be unhappy with that decision.</p>
<p>"To each his own". I am a firm believer in this philosophy, and encourage every angler, as well as BBG members, to harvest as they see fit, within the legal guidelines. And this includes keeping fish for the wall. Life is short, and happiness sometimes hard to come by....make the most of your fishing, take someone else fishing and share what you love, and if you catch a biggun' for the wall, post a photo right here.... I would be thrilled to see it, (as would we all! )</p> HEY TONY,
When I mounted my…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-07-18:2036984:Comment:2925562012-07-18T15:39:04.639ZDAVID L EITUTIShttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/DAVIDLEITUTIS
<p>HEY TONY,</p>
<p> When I mounted my gill I didn't hesitate cause I figured I'd never have that chance again . That was 15 years ago and no regrets. It hangs above my fly tying bench and see it ever time I'm down there. <br></br> Still looking for my two pounder and it will go on the wall too, much better than eating it! I can go to the store and buy fish to eat if I wanted , but truely big gills are rare for most of us. What if the fish you released to grow bigger died with in an hour anyway.…</p>
<p>HEY TONY,</p>
<p> When I mounted my gill I didn't hesitate cause I figured I'd never have that chance again . That was 15 years ago and no regrets. It hangs above my fly tying bench and see it ever time I'm down there. <br/> Still looking for my two pounder and it will go on the wall too, much better than eating it! I can go to the store and buy fish to eat if I wanted , but truely big gills are rare for most of us. What if the fish you released to grow bigger died with in an hour anyway. NOW that is a real waste, no memories of the fish or something to look at on cold winter days etc.<br/><br/></p> I have said the same on a big…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-07-18:2036984:Comment:2924662012-07-18T15:30:48.030ZVince Fuscohttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/VinceFusco
<p>I have said the same on a big gill. I will have a fiberglass replica made of my first 2lb Gill. So far my best has been 1lb. 10oz. on a postal scale, and that was about 20 yrs. ago. I am still looking for that magical 2lb.'er. Maybe a trip over to Santee Cooper will be what it takes. </p>
<p>I have said the same on a big gill. I will have a fiberglass replica made of my first 2lb Gill. So far my best has been 1lb. 10oz. on a postal scale, and that was about 20 yrs. ago. I am still looking for that magical 2lb.'er. Maybe a trip over to Santee Cooper will be what it takes. </p> I told myself that the first…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-07-18:2036984:Comment:2925482012-07-18T14:46:17.268ZTony Livingstonhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/TonyLivingston
<p>I told myself that the first BG that I managed to catch that went 1.5 lbs was going on the wall. Now that I'm nearly there however, I no longer desire it. I see nothing wrong with keeping a once-in-a-lifetime fish, I just wonder how much bigger it will get if I release it.</p>
<p>I told myself that the first BG that I managed to catch that went 1.5 lbs was going on the wall. Now that I'm nearly there however, I no longer desire it. I see nothing wrong with keeping a once-in-a-lifetime fish, I just wonder how much bigger it will get if I release it.</p> Daniel...I have seen your pic…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-07-18:2036984:Comment:2924602012-07-18T14:05:16.537ZJim Gronawhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JimGronaw
<p>Daniel...I have seen your pics of those outstanding shellcrackers, and indeed, there is good reason not to report the successes due to increased angler pressure and harvest.</p>
<p>Trophy crackers are a tough gig anyway you look at it. They are traditionally fewer in number than bluegill and other sunfish species, just about anywhere. Throw in the 5 buck fee for a citation and I, too, would likely only register a single fish per year, if not any at all. Yet there are numerous anglers on the…</p>
<p>Daniel...I have seen your pics of those outstanding shellcrackers, and indeed, there is good reason not to report the successes due to increased angler pressure and harvest.</p>
<p>Trophy crackers are a tough gig anyway you look at it. They are traditionally fewer in number than bluegill and other sunfish species, just about anywhere. Throw in the 5 buck fee for a citation and I, too, would likely only register a single fish per year, if not any at all. Yet there are numerous anglers on the list who have entered many fish during the season...an expense I can surely due without.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input on this topic!</p> These are impressive numbers…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-07-18:2036984:Comment:2926032012-07-18T11:49:42.761ZTroy Dormanhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/TroyDorman
<p>These are impressive numbers because there's no telling how many folks catch big fish and simply don't report their successes. But for reported numbers, these are very good IMO. The middle number is ridiculous, 22 crackers over two pounds?? Wow, that lake is a dandy. Any shellcracker I catch that's 1.12ounces or above, is probably bound for the wall. I've spent a lot of money chasing that wall hanger so it'll be a GREAT day when I finally boat him/her.</p>
<p>These are impressive numbers because there's no telling how many folks catch big fish and simply don't report their successes. But for reported numbers, these are very good IMO. The middle number is ridiculous, 22 crackers over two pounds?? Wow, that lake is a dandy. Any shellcracker I catch that's 1.12ounces or above, is probably bound for the wall. I've spent a lot of money chasing that wall hanger so it'll be a GREAT day when I finally boat him/her.</p> I've been fishing the Suffolk…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-07-18:2036984:Comment:2926002012-07-18T11:29:37.035ZDaniel Salvittihttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/DanielSalvitti
<p>I've been fishing the Suffolk lakes for the last few years and have had some success. I believe that the reason the citation numbers are not as high as in the past is because they now charge $5.00 a piece for the certificates, in the 80's / 90's they were free. And most of my shellcracker addict fishing buds don't want any recognition. Recognition = heavy pressure and a depleted resource without catch and release. Alotta of monster fish don't get reported. If anyone on the board is ever…</p>
<p>I've been fishing the Suffolk lakes for the last few years and have had some success. I believe that the reason the citation numbers are not as high as in the past is because they now charge $5.00 a piece for the certificates, in the 80's / 90's they were free. And most of my shellcracker addict fishing buds don't want any recognition. Recognition = heavy pressure and a depleted resource without catch and release. Alotta of monster fish don't get reported. If anyone on the board is ever in the area, especially during the bedding season which runs April - June, let me know, I'll help you out.</p>
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