I could sure use some Bluegill advise..

[John "Formerly Pig Man" Waldrop]

I have been fishing an abandoned company pond since last year, primarily I have been catching Bass, but I caught several monster Bluegill last year, one tipping the scale at just over 2 pounds..I caught those few on a Rapala minnow..I would love to get advise on a more reliable lure/bait. I'm fishing an 8 acre pond, with a center depth of about 45 feet. The water is fairly clear to very lightly stained, if that matters..Any help would be appreciated.

[John "Formerly Pig Man" Waldrop]

I believe I saw those at either my local Bass Pro Shop or Walmart, I will swing by both a start my collection..Tomorrow will be in the mid 50's here in Tulsa..I'm not sure what affect that will have, if any on fishing for the bluegill..

[Keith Ritter]

Hey John the name of the lure is Strike King Bitsy Minnow.

[John "Formerly Pig Man" Waldrop]

Between the live bait advise and the crankbait suggestions, I have a great arsenal to choose from, I will post the results soon.

[Keith Ritter]

Fire tiger was the first one I bought and it worked great. A collected all the colors since then and all have produced. The solid white one would be second after the fire tiger. They have bg sized treble hooks so they will fit in their small mouth.

[John "Formerly Pig Man" Waldrop]

Any particular color of crank bait?

[Keith Ritter]

Try looking the shallow areas for beds. Locate these now and keep an eye on them as the weather warms. In West TN the spawn is round the first full moon in May. If the water is clear the fish might bed deeper. I use small Strike King crank bait it's a floater diver. I fish them like a top water lure, cast around cover let it sit till the water settles then twitch it slightly. If no strike on surface reel in slowly. Catch a lot of bg and red ears that way. You can cover a lot of shore line that way. When you find a hotspot switch to crickets or worms and hold on.

[John "Formerly Pig Man" Waldrop]

I will give that a shot..the smallest bluegill caught was still larger than my fully stretched out hand span..so, that makes a lot of sense..I may have an opportunity to break the state record of 2lbs 6oz..or at least have fun trying.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I'm thinking the bass keep the bluegill numbers in check - that's why you catch few "reliably" - but they are whoppers
Think wood rock and weeds, near deep water.
Use slip floats and start deeper than shallower. Crickets and worms.
Use subsurface nymph-like flies, mini streamers and brim bugs instead of other lures, if you like artificials.


Just my two cents.