Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

The Myakka River always has been one of my favorite places to fish. However, fishing has really been bad for the last two years. In fact, I haven't fished it in quite a while.

I decided to try it again. I was surprised. I had to work hard for every fish, but I ended up with 25 bluegill, shellcracker and stumpknocker. Almost all were quality fish.

Had one hit (a miss) on a popping bug. Things heated up when I changed to a No. 10 nymph. Got all my fish on it.

The river is beautiful and a true reflection of Old Florida.

It's only 10 miles from the house, so I plan to hit the river more often.

Myakka River:

[img]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a139/flherd1971/DSC04410.jpg[/img]

Bluegill:

[img]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a139/flherd1971/DSC04437.jpg[/img]

Shellcracker:

[img]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a139/flherd1971/DSC04401.jpg[/img]

This gator made me pick another route:

[img]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a139/flherd1971/DSC04441.jpg[/img]

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Beautiful place! Would love to have a place so close. How do you fish the river, wade, float tube, pontoon?
Steve,

I am a kayak fishing guide, so I fish via kayak. I personally use a Native Watercraft Ultimate 14.5...great boat.
I live five miles from the myakka river. Thats my favorite place to catch bluegill. Use to fly fish for them but rather hook a cricket on the line. I would launch my jon boat at snook haven and fish from there all the way to the lower dam. Ive caught more trophy bluegill there then any other place. I no longer have my tin boat so i hevent been there in years.Looking for boat to take my son austin there.

Brad Alden
I've launched the kayak at Snook Haven, but only during the winter when the snook are up the river. It would be a fair paddle to the lower dam!

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