Where to find pre spawn Illinois Blugills

[Frank J Harvey]

Fished a pond today and caught 20 gills in the 7'' to 8" range. Most gills were shallow but not on beds. Around noon temp was 82 degrees and sunny and fish shut down. They would just look at fly like they were dazed? We caught these fish on fly rod using mostly sz 10 and 12 bead head nymphs. Should i have been fishing deeper water for bigger gills? This pond was only 10 or 12 deep at the most.

Thanks

Frank

[Walt Foreman]

Midday is typically not the best time to fish for bluegill.  It wasn't your presentation; they simply don't bite much that time of day.  If you had taken a break for a couple hours and then fished some more on up into the afternoon, you probably would have caught some more.

[David Dillman]

Frank

I should of said I was using a ultralite spinning rod and ultra lite reel.  I was using a 1/32 oz jig with plastic curly tail grub. I was reeling in at a 3 count cadinence per each turn of the reel handle. The fish seemed to be in the 1 to 3 feet depth.  I also tipped each offering with a crappie nibble by powerbait from berkley.  The scent is important.  I was later using a micro tube which was pink and white, because it was getting darker.  The gills were still hitting my jig.  I am hoping the owner will let me fish this place again. 

Dilly

Dilly

[David Dillman]

Frank

I live over by the quad cities in north west Illinois.  I went fishing last Tuesday with the 88 degree weather.  I caught 30 to 40 gills.  Alot of the gills were 9 inchers.  I caught two nice crappie also.  The fish seemed to be in the prespawn mode they were in the coves shallow.  They were relating to wood and overhanging bushes. I was fishing out af a float tube.  This is the first time I fished this pond.  I am hopeful I will get to fish it again next week.  That is where they were for me.

Dilly

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

HEY FRANK,

  YOU ARE ABOUT AN HOUR NORTH of the biggest gills in Illinois , and Red ears too. Head straight south on rt. 1 to Marshall Illinois and fish LINCOLN TRAIL LAKE. BIGGEST AVERAGE SIZE GILLS IN THE STATE BUDDY. They like Chartruese bugs and floating spiders there, and should be in pre spawn now and getting ready to spawn in the next two weeks. Approx. 150 acres and it's a state park and nice lauch. GREAT RESTAURANT OVERLOOKING THE LAKE !!!!!!!! GGGGGGGGGGGGGOOD FOOD TOO !

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

HEY MAN ILLINOIS IS FULL OF EM NOW and head south down towards Olney Illinois. Just got back a week ago from there and they were just getting ready to start heading in to the beds.... Yellow the color of choice last week but this week is anyones guess. GOOD LUCK AND TIGHT LINES...............