Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Three lakes that seem to be super hot right now are Western Branch in Virginia, and Barkley Lake/Kentucky Lake down at LBL. Western Branch has recently produced two crackers that I'm aware of that were 14inches apiece and 2.5-3lbs apiece. You can view these fish over on Crappie.com under the Virginia state board. The crazy thing about WB is that it's a smallish lake at about 800-1000 acres tops. It must have just the right mix to grow studly crackers.

 

Barkley/Ky Lake has come on STRONG the last ten years with their cracker population. Now these bodies of water are tremendously large, covering over two hundred thousand acres between them. They are connected by a channel at the northern end of the two lakes. These lakes seem to produce lots of solid 1-1.5lbers with quite a few fish pushing the 2lb mark being caught every year. 12-13 inch trophy fish populate these lakes according to the Ky DNR.

 

My goal is to go and catch that 1.75-2lb cracker and have it mounted. The crazy big redear seem to be out west and down in South Carolina/Georgia on that river Kelly Nobles fishes.

Views: 5002

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

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.

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.

 

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.

RSS

Latest Activity

John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Spoon Bass

"Thanks Jeff!"
17 hours ago
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Rattle Trap Bass

"Yes, the front one at least! What do you suppose happened there ,Jeff?"
17 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Rattle Trap Bass

"Another good bass…..his dorsal fin is almost gone completely….."
18 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

25"+Spoon Pick

"Big chain, very nice!"
18 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Spoon Bass

"Nice bass John!"
18 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
18 hours ago
John Sheehan added a discussion to the group Lure History
Thumbnail

Discontinued Lures

Some of my favorites I can't find anymore: Acme Fash King Flutter Spoon, Eppinger Flutter Chuck,…See More
yesterday
John Sheehan posted photos
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

25"+Spoon Pick

"25+inch Pickerel was best of the 13 Fish caught today a day after the Worm Moon. Two Bass and the…"
Tuesday
John Sheehan commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

IMG_0186

"1/16th oz., good!"
Tuesday
dick tabbert commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

IMG_0186

"These are my last build. I added more colors."
Tuesday
dick tabbert commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

IMG_0186

"No Jon I went with the 1/16 oz jig heads so I could have a larger hook for crappies. It's a #4…"
Tuesday
John Sheehan commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

IMG_0186

"Colors are great !"
Monday
John Sheehan commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

IMG_0186

"Thats a good Crappie size! Are they 32nd Oz Jigs?"
Monday
dick tabbert commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

IMG_0186

"They are right at 2" long."
Monday
John Sheehan commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

IMG_0186

"I Can see Crappie and Bass chomping on them, Dick!"
Sunday
dick tabbert commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

IMG_0186

"I made these up for crappie in mind. They might be a little big for gills unless it a bigger gill."
Sunday
John Sheehan commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

IMG_0186

"What Species you got in mind for these great Minnow ties , Dick?"
Sunday
dick tabbert posted photos
Sunday
John Sheehan commented on Sam k.'s group Trout Bums
""Trout Season opens April 6th 2024 in New Jersey. Waters are runnin' high for…"
Sunday

© 2024   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service