Bluegill - Big Bluegill

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Sunny mid sixties in Michigan… short sleeves weather here… just got the kayak out of storage, dusted it off and got it assembled… time to take it on a spin. Im constantly thinking what the current pulse is out on the lake with the fish!.

Took it down to one of the drop off points that would provide some shelter from the 20-25 mph northern winds.

Launched the yak and was pleasantly surprised to see mid 60’s in the sheltered bay. I saw no visible signs of any panfish in the shallows. I made a few casts fanning a favorite area and quickly hooked up and tagged a near Master Angler Hen of a LMB. I was using an UL spinning rig I now use as my search rig. Its composed of a 5-0’ UL Okuma Celilo spinning rod with a Shimano Sienna 50 series reel loaded with 2# Power Pro ice braid… smooth as silk and cast a tiny jig a country mile. If B.Gill are around they either swallow it or tug its tail… if there are any other fish around it tags them too. I’ve been using other jigs also but this combination is my favorite.

After a couple photos the barbless jig head was freed and the LMB was quickly released. I scoured some of my favorite areas with the jig and then with a slip float and live waxies… no hits. I visibly scouted shallows looking for life… no panfish. Then I witnessed an amazing event … two muskies spawning in the shallows. Made my day!

After a short while I started feeling discomfort in my lower back and headed back home…

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Comment by Slip Sinker on May 14, 2016 at 8:30am

…thanks Bruce!!...yeah i have been known to casually wet a line once in a while...  ;>)

Comment by Slip Sinker on May 14, 2016 at 8:29am

…Thanks Gerome!... if you ask me UL is the only way to go... wish i had done this years back!

Comment by Slip Sinker on May 14, 2016 at 8:26am

thanks Adam...UL... basically what ive been fishing since late 2013.

Comment by Bruce Tomaselli on May 11, 2016 at 3:17pm

Gee, I didn't know you fished! Ha! Nice fish for sure,Slip.

Comment by Gerome Hilliard on May 11, 2016 at 2:38pm
Great fish and I suppose a good fight on UL!
Comment by Adam Rink on May 11, 2016 at 1:55pm

Awesome largemouth, and on UL tackle, too. Congrats on a great fish and an great day.

Comment by Slip Sinker on May 9, 2016 at 11:23pm

Thanks Jim! it was a pleasant surprise!

Comment by Jim Gronaw on May 9, 2016 at 11:26am

Outstanding fish...congrats!

Comment by Slip Sinker on May 8, 2016 at 10:12am

...thanks Gary!...that used to be my favorite excuse for taking off of work before i got injured.

LMB and SMB used to be my favorite targets when fishing... then i started a shift to panfish especially B.Gill as my main interest fish replacing the heavier equipment with UL and Micro Lite equipment to avoid worsening nerve and muscle pain in my arms and neck. Tiny baits, lines and equipment allowed me to fish longer periods... then i discovered my LMB and SMB numbers started going up targeting the panfish.

good luck on your upcoming trip!

Comment by Slip Sinker on May 8, 2016 at 9:59am

...thanks John! happens to be my PB LMB also

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