SPAWNING TIME

[KEN BROCK THE FISH DENTIST]

I JUST HEARD THAT GILLS AND EARS START ON NESTS 3 DAYS BEFORE THE FULL MOON. SO, WATCH OUT IN JUNE. IS THAT TRUE? ALSO IF THAY HAVE EGGS IN THEM THAY WILL ABSORB THEM IF FULL MOON IS'NT CLOSE BY. HAS ANY U GUYS FOUND THEM IN DEEP WATER ON NEST? I'M SURE THAT I HAVE. I AM ASKING U GUYS TO PROVIDE US GILL AND EAR HUNTERS WITH ANY PROVEN INFO ON THIER SPANNING HABITS. I KNOW, BED FISHING IS FUN AND EASY. I GUESS CATCHING A BIG ONE IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. I TRY TO CONCERATE ON HUNTING FOR THEM OFF THE BEDS AS WELL. AS FOR AS EARS GO, HAS ANYONE USED ANY OTHER LIVE BAIT AND CAUGHT THEM ON IT. SUCH AS SNAILS, LEACHES , CRAWFISH OR SMALL MINNOWS. I THINK WE SHOULD BE MORE CREATIVE WHEN IT COMES TO LIVE BAIT. I WANT A BAIT TO CATCH AN EAR WORTH BRAGGING ABOUT. 11" or BIGGER. HAS ANYONE HEARD OF GREEN WORMS? I CAN DIG THEM ON THE OHIO RIVER BANKS. THE RIVER IS UP TO HIGH RIGHT NOW. BUT, I AM GOING TO TRY THEM. WE ALL NEED TO BE INFORMED, IF WE ARE TO CATCH BIG ONES THANKS E-MAIL ME AT [e-mail]

[Michael J. Searl]

I'll also be looking on to see what the experts say.
I look for the two to three days before and after the full moon, and again to a lesser extent the same on the new moon.
I seen with interest a previous report that the primary spawn would be in June. That worked very well for me as the spots I like to go were relativly empty of fishermen during the heavy May spawn. lol I still haven't come down from that awsome experiance. ole Mike

[Michael J. Searl]

I was fishing yesterday and found and released a bunch of plump girls heavy with eggs. I think these will spawn on the new moon or June full moon.
Red Ear- I have caught them on small leeches but I think the best live baits are-- Red worms on a legged ant jig--Red worms on a #6 baitholder hook-- Red worms on any other hook. lol
An opinioned note on bed fishing. Please return the largest MALES immediatly to ensure a healthy large size gill population.
Another note on releasing fish. When you pull it from the water, take a deep breath. When you need air-it needs water. ole Mike

[Jim Kearney]

Ken, We have green worms along the Missouri River here in Eastern Nebraska. I do know that they have a VERY distinct odor and are great for smaller catfish in the river. I don't know about 'gill but don't see why they wouldn't be very good. Let me know if you give them a whirl. Good fishing. We are getting ready for the gills to go to the nests around here as well. It has been a very strange spring.

[kip noblitt]

ken, I too am a redear fanatic, and would like to say that the best bedding shellcracker fishingI have gotten into, was on a new moon. I'm not so sure about the full moon being the holy grail, when it comes to redears and gills. I think water temp and level affect the spawn alot too. our redears, where I like to fish will hold eggs into july alot of times. go figure.