Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Just wondering what everyone's opinion is about how big (length or weight) a bluegill needs to be, to be considered a "TROPHY". Or how big is a "BIG" bluegill?

Views: 7801

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Out here in Southern California we have the Redears and Florida Strain Bluegill in our public waters. I notice with the Redears that they tend to be longer and thinner profiled then the 'gills. Thus, I've caught 10-11-inchers that were barely a pound. Plus the REdear aren't nearly as colorful as the Gills and probably wouldn't make as visually attractive a mount. My biggest Gill was an 11.25 incher that weighed in at 1 pound 11 ounces. However, I would consider a trophy in Southern Cali in the 2-pound range. Every year I read about and see pictures of 'gills or Redear pushing 3-pounds. Wow, the gills have these huge humps on their heads and are so thick. The lake record for the local lake is in the four pound range and is mounted above the counter in the marina store......WOW!!!!!
Dang it, huskerrod! Get me a photo of that four-pound mount!!! :-)

I'd love to see it!


3.8 lbs
*stunned disbelief* :-O
a big blegill in my book is 12 inches and 1 -1 1/4 lbs
a trophy would be 2 lbs and up
a monster would be almost 4 lbs, (iowa state record) wish i caught it!!!lol
well as far as trophy meaning citation,depends on where you are i guess,i fish here in VA and sometimes visit my girls parent in WV and fish there,here in VA it must be 11 inches or 1lb. in wv it only needs to be 10 inches or 1lb.
you can check with you local dept. of game and inland fisheries for more info.
well when I say trophy, I picture a wallhanger fish, so, that being said, a trophy (wallhanger) BLUEGILL for me would be 3lbs., a trophy (wallhanger) SHELLCRACKER would be around the 4lb. mark, and I already have 5 of those getting mounted......I would really like to have a wallhanger yellow perch, I found some 2 lb.'ers here, and one of them would be beautiful mounted!!!
Those are high standards. You've certainly got the photos to show the huge bluegill and shellcrackers that you've caught! :-)

Are there any good ones biting this time of year down around your area?
Here in Connecticut, the DEP considers Bluegill of 10" or more a Trophy. Very few of our waters produce Bluegill of that size. I have caught quite a few between 9" and 10.5", and my goal is to get an 11" Bluegill through the ice.
Right now, the bigger shellcrackers are schooled up in some of the deep holes in the river, you just have to find them, I havent tried them yet, too busy trying to outsmart these deer and pigs, but some people are catching some decent ones.
In my opinion, it is a waste to kill the fish just for a trophy. I would hope that you would release the monsters to keep contributing to the gene pool (and for further sport) while using measurements and pictures for creating your wall mount.

I don't have any problem with keeping the 7-9 inchers for eating but lets leave the real biggies for future sport.
I think that in most waters, nationwide, gills exceeding 10 inches in length would be considered exceptional fish. Some lakes got em, some don't. Most trophy bluegills in my Mid Atlantic region come from farmponds and millponds. I can thinks of several public venues in my region that produce big fish...Deep Creek Lake in west MD, Rocky Gap St Park, Cunning ham Falls Lake in Thurmont , MD, Trap Pond St Park, DEL., and the tidewater lakes just west of Norfolk, VA. Also, some small, overlooked public lakes and ponds that are county or municipally owned can cough up some tankers. Keep you eyes open and you'll likely find some great water. I'm still looking for a 12 incher!

RSS

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Lots of Predators in May…..5/22/2025

"Thanks Bruce….Have a great Memorial Day weekend…."
5 hours ago
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
5 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Lots of Predators in May…..5/22/2025

A lot of largemouth are guarding Frye…..when you cross through the pod with your bait it may be…
20 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Clinton Reservoir Smallie 3

"Bucktail!…..old reliable……"
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Clinton Reservoir Smallie1

"Very nice…..we had great weather over the weekend but now we have a May Noreaster tomorrow…"
Wednesday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Greg's 1st of two

"Watershed Property ,Jeff. Yes very pretty .I told Greg ,Indians still live there ,lol!"
Wednesday
John Sheehan posted an album
Wednesday
John Sheehan posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

499002469_10239073026024130_905664003242523886_n

"Greg tags a smallie….pretty area…."
Tuesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Great Fish That Has Begun Working Shallow….5/19/2025

If you look closely above the tail fin you can see the scuffs and missing scales of a nest…
Tuesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

The Masked Monarch Coppernose…..5/19/2025

Give me a couple of these fish and I celebrate any fishing trip……a beautiful 10 inch class male..
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Very Fortunate to be Able to Fish Quality Like This…5/19/2025

I never saw another vessel on the water for the four hours I was out…
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Had a beautiful May morning, light westerly winds…62 degree air temperature, 74 degree water at normal levels…slightly stained..let’s go!!!"
Monday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service