Greatest underwater bluegill video of all time!

[Bruce Condello]

I'm not kidding.

I decided to use my creative side yesterday. I took some bailing wire, and bent it in a semi-circle so that it dangled right out in front of my Aquavue camera, which incidentally looks just like a bluegill.

Then I tied a short little piece of monofilament to the end of the wire, attached a severely overbent hook so as not to injure any fish, and added a big chunk of nightcrawler.

Wacky hijinx ensued.


Bluegill came out of everywhere to bang away on the poor piece of crawler.

But what was really amazing, is the way that they attacked it--virtually always choosing to grab the free end, and pull, which explains why I miss so many fish.

I'd be really interested in anybody's comments in regards to what we're really learning here.

I think there are some valuable lessons for the fisherman.

Enjoy.

[Josh Milczski (Omaha)]

Bumping this video as it is the first time I've seen it and since there's been a whole slew of newcomers over the past year, I'm sure I'm not the only one.

[George]

Also, it tells us that BG and other panfish have very small mouths and the bait should be targeted to them by being smaller with smaller hooks. I've used a #12 hook and a one or two maggot combo with a tiny float for the past several weeks and never been more successful. I've caught big panfish, catfish as well as a trout on 4LB test line. Great video. Outstanding website.

[Bruce Condello]

And peace to you as well, Mr. Hampl bluegill catcher. I know for a fact that you have a 10.5 inch bluegill mounted on the wall in your family room. :-)

[Bob Hampl]

Peace and bluegillhood to all

[Bruce Condello]

That's a great point, David. I've pinched off the end of the legs and/or twister of some of my jigs and had really good luck on days that the big bluegill were being tentative.

[David Merical]

What I've learned from fly-fishing for bluegills, is that you want to use a size 8 to size 12 hook, and make sure the hook bend is less than 1/2" from the end of the fly/lure or bait.
When using tube jigs and spinning gear, I usually pinch off the rear 1/2 of the tube jig "legs".

[Bruce Condello]

That's a really good point.

[UKcat]

What I'm learning here is when I'm fishing a Senko for bass, now I know what all those fruitless pickups and tail shakes are that I feel!! I always suspected bluegill were the culprit, but now I know what those little buggers are doing to my worm.

[Bruce Condello]

I was using a Sony Handycam, vintage 2002. I synched it with the Aquavue, which was pretty easy (single cord), and simply pressed "record" when the Aquavue was in operation. Then I had to upload from the Sony unit to our main computer, and I edited from there. Pretty slick. I'm really gratified that you guys liked the show.

[Zig]

Bruce - what equipment are you using to capture the video?
I have an Aqua View, but nothing to capture video with. (have been contemplating the Video Recorder)