Do you love big bluegill?

1lb. 2ozs male hybrid.

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Comment by Leo Nguyen on December 7, 2011 at 8:17pm: Sorry Patricia, but it's Tony..LOL I wish it's mine.

Comment by Patricia Ramirez on December 7, 2011 at 8:11pm: congrats Leo it's a very nice fish

Comment by Leo Nguyen on December 7, 2011 at 8:02pm: In our Lake Perris, sunfishes were never added, unless by accidental or purposely intended by an individual/group. I noticed there were a few group of sunfishes did made their way from the upper lakes through the California Aqueduct, thus, introducing sunfish popuplation into the lake I fish at. Other species beside panfishes show up as well. Never happier. New fish species mean more fun. You got so much insight on hybrids from your pond, which becomes extremely handy for us oblivious fools. From the lake, we catch these boys at random. Not sure which is what until we start to ask for info, like you Tony. So, I humbly bow to you for more info as we haul more out.

Comment by Tony Livingston on December 7, 2011 at 7:41pm: Leo, I should probably point out that you're more likely to catch a male HBG, rather than a female. The usual manner in which a hatchery creates a HBG is to cross a male Bluegill with a female Green Sunfish. The offspring of this union will be predominantly male.. some studies suggest as high as 90-95% male. Contrary to popular belief, HBG are quite capable of reproducing, and will do so. But the high concentration of males over females means that there will be very little "new" fish every year. That's why HBG are not good forage for Bass... they simply don't produce enough offspring to grow big Bass.

They are not usually considered to be a self-sustaining population... as they are caught and removed, more fish are added by the pondowner.

Comment by Leo Nguyen on December 7, 2011 at 7:13pm: Much thanks Tony. I believe I've caught something similar in the lake but couldn't tell. Any additional would be much appreciated.

Comment by Tony Livingston on December 7, 2011 at 6:42pm: Leo, there can be considerable color variance between hybrid bluegills (HBG), that occurs naturally. Nevertheless, there are a couple of things to look for when differentiating males from females.

Just like native gills', the males will have more of an orange colored breast, that darkens during spawning. The females will display more of a pale yellow, or white color on their breast. My females will also usually appear "longer" than the males, as the males will develop a pronounced chest hump, and get quite tall, almost giving them a square look.

In general coloration, the females in my pond will be lighter, and display brighter blue spots on their sides than the males. Of course, when they're gravid, (carrying eggs), it's much simpler... I'll see If I can find some pics and post them in the photo section.

Comment by Leo Nguyen on December 7, 2011 at 5:44pm: Hey Tony, is there a way to tell the different between a male and female hybrid? They look so similar. Could it be the tail and dorsal fins that give them off or could it be the big belly? Still learning.