Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Fished the past week using the Gapen 5" pencil float as a slip-float (slider) and had great results on suspended gills, crappies, walleyes over brush pile crib.

Used light leader method where I could pop the leader and get my entire rig back above the leader - shot, float, bead and knot stop - used mono self-made stopper by the way.

This method out-caught both the tight-line method and jigs for most fish.

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Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on July 30, 2014 at 7:40pm
Some big bruisers for a your usual pole and hook!
Comment by Johnny wilkins on July 30, 2014 at 7:36pm

All fish in that picture released in great shape. (Blurry cause they're flop'n!).

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on July 30, 2014 at 7:34pm
Nice, Johnny!
Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on July 30, 2014 at 7:31pm
I've never managed to get below size 16 hooks and 2lb test on a 17' poles
I get the willies on less, as bass are ALWAYS lurking.
But it was Johnny that opened my thinking to this kinda stuff.
Comment by Johnny wilkins on July 30, 2014 at 7:30pm

No need but thanks David.

Everyone in here "gets it" - this is the choir. I put off posting those pictures but you guys inspired me and pole fishing is so amazing that I want it to go crazy, crazy, crazy! Not so much the 42' poles - those have their spot and they sure are a lot of fun. I got it out the other day and caught this little bag in 3.75 hours. This was a workout. I was targeting the bigger fish using .014 diameter leader line with the pole and now reel.

I flat out guarantee that if you had the chance to hook up fish on even a 15' or 20' pole with no reel, every angler would feel the 'connection' to the fish. I think this is the big thing that BBG.com anglers get - getting connected to the fish and catching ((all)) - any fish is what the sport is about.

Saturday morning, weather permitting and Sunday morning the pole will be featured in a local derby (hope the crowd's lines don't box me in and knock the fish off, guiding - Sat. afternoon and Sunday morning with a group doing a carp documentary. I should start doing my push-ups tonight.

Anyhow- EVERY single person on this board should be very proud of their fishing and it is great to see all the homemade floats, tackle, lures and fishing talk here. 

Thank you - those who host and support the site for having it. I hope that we can bring you success in what you do and that people will take notice of superior bloodlines in gills. I sure hope to connect you to our park districts forest preserves and towns up here when they get serious about their fishery. I am a big fan of the bluegill and ALL the "other" fish.

Comment by Joe Angelucci on July 30, 2014 at 7:27pm

Johnny you're right. The set up is designed primary for  gills. Usually anything large would blow up my terminal tackle but that's part of the fun. I usually sight fish and able to control the size of my catch. Every so often I get surprised by a non targeted species ie bass. 

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on July 30, 2014 at 7:21pm
Johnny isn't one to toot his own horn, somIll do it for him.
It's worth knowing he's a world champion match angler and former Match Team USA captain.
Really amazing stuff, what those match guys accomplish.
We haven't had the chance to tip our hat to 'Ol Johnny lately, but it's due.
Good to have you positing, Johnny.
Comment by Johnny wilkins on July 30, 2014 at 7:14pm

P.S. - our bluegills have too much muscle for the described rig- yours matches our fishing much better. I got yelled at by my coach once in a competition for using gear and actually fighting some chunky gills. It was taking for ever to land them on this light gear without popping leader. Hooks were breaking just from their jaw bones..

Comment by Joe Angelucci on July 30, 2014 at 7:12pm

That Sir is hardcore. I would love to try it one day. Not the heckling part  :)

Comment by Johnny wilkins on July 30, 2014 at 7:05pm

Ok- I have to top you. You want fun- try using a 42' pole and .75 lb. main line fishing actual live bloodworm to exacted precision. Try landing a 1.5 lb. fish on that rig with a bunch of Portuguese fans heckling you from behind.

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