Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

     We have had a lot of rain here in Oklahoma over the last two weeks. Some lakes are two, three and in places four feet above normal levels for this time of year. I'm sure we all know how this effects spawning Sunfishes.

 

     In my part of Oklahoma we have soils with high levels of iron oxide. Do any wade fishing right now and your "tidy whities" will be as red as the infield dirt at Yankee Stadium. Think crushed brick red. Since these soil particles are clays (very small, very light in weight) suspended particles muddy the water around here for weeks.

 

     What I would like to do is start a disscusion on how to deal with high water and turbid conditions. What do you do different, or the same, when fishing in high and/or muddy water? Do you look for clear water or change tactics to deal with conditions? Does going deeper help? What about topwater? Do you think Bluegills, Red-ears and the like stay on or near their nests even with the reduction in sunlight or increased silting-in?

 

I know "muddy" and "high water" are subjective terms and mean different things for folks accross the country but give it a go. Unless you fish in Death Valley you have had to deal with elevated lake levels and off color water.

 

So... let's hear it. How do I catch fish with the crappy conditions I have?

 

    

Views: 2210

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

High water has me chomping at the bit , I've had to work on the pretty days , it's killiing me, but I'll get there, the fish are waiting for me.
WE'VE BEEN FISHING THE RIP-RAP LEVEES OF THE SMALL LAKES AFTER HEAVY RAINS. FISH WITH WORMS ON THE BOTTOM JUST OFF THE ROCKS. THE GILLS AND CRACKERS SEEM TO FEED ON WHAT IS WASHED DOWN. THE FISH ARE'NT ON THE BED YET HERE THOUGH.
High water levels with muddy, murky water mean I go to a little black popper.  Sling it out, pop the snot out of it once, let it sit for about a minute or so, the short strip it in.  Sound seems to draw 'em into visual range, and the black shows well against the surface.

I tell ya what guys, I sure would LIKE to be dealing with high water right now.

 

Truth is, we havn't had any real measureable rainfall in my area since November. We had some good snow in January. Once it all melted the ground wasn't wet for even 24 hours.

 

You would think with low water and no inflow the water would be "Gin Clear". NOPE, 30-40mph winds have kept everything white-capped and stirred up.

 

I'm not complaining (well.. I am but not meaning to dwell on it). The conditions have forced me to hunt for new places and stretch my skills. It's been kinda fun exploring and a new challenge to go to places that aren't a slam-dunk.

 

Keith

RSS

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
6 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"There’s multiple variations in the Spotted Sunfish….in Louisiana the Red Spotted…"
6 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Growing up in Louisiana into a fishing family I got many introductions to the Sportsman’s…"
7 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"I have personally caught 11 of the 12 panfish featured in this discussion. I have never lived in…"
7 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a discussion
7 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
DAVID L EITUTIS commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
Thumbnail

THIS COLOR COMBINATION SEEMS TO WORK THIS YEAR

"Yup blue and white is an essential with my oldest son......."
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"My glass boat is going to the shop tomorrow, need an ignition system tune up, figured I would give it up during this extended heat wave.."
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

July Bully jig/crawler piece

"Fun….my biggest fish yesterday was a three pound bullhead…..couldn’t believe he…"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
Thumbnail

THIS COLOR COMBINATION SEEMS TO WORK THIS YEAR

"Glad you’ve had success with it………I always use pink to locate…"
Sunday
DAVID L EITUTIS commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
Thumbnail

THIS COLOR COMBINATION SEEMS TO WORK THIS YEAR

"Thanks for the  comment jeffrey, it has worked in the past but seems to work berret this year…"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Great Habitat on the Albemarle Estuary…….7/20/2025

Always search for clues to why you’re catching fish in the area you’re in when so many areas look…
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Beautiful 9” Class Warmouth……7/19/2025

Growing up in southeastern Louisiana the two most abundant species of sunfish in the bayous and…
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
Thumbnail

THIS COLOR COMBINATION SEEMS TO WORK THIS YEAR

"Bleeding pink Silent Stinger and all pink jigs work on multi species in brackish water…..I…"
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Nice Round Specimen…..7/19/2025

Bleeding 🩸 tail working in the cypress roots……all of the coastal counties in the northeastern part…
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Some Bleeding 🩸 Coppernose Behind Last Week’s Buck Moon…7/19/2025

"The busted fins are also a dead giveaway to colonizing gills….."
Saturday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service