Do you love big bluegill?

Trolling for BIG BLUEGILLS...

How many of you enjoy or have even tried trolling for big Bluegills? How do you specifically target Bluegills? I routinely troll with smaller tackle just to have fun catching fish. I catch Bluegills but not with any regularity.

I like trolling small and ultra/micro light crank-baits that dive 4-8 feet. I generally use my electric motor but have really enjoyed making use of a drift-sock lately.

I bet you wouldn’t even believe how many keeper size Saugeyes (18” or longer) we catch trying to find a school of super-size sunfish. We commonly use a three-way swivel with one leg to the reel, one on lighter line with a non-lead sinker on a dropper, and the crank trailing behind on the third. We can get down to nearly any depth by gauging our speed or by how much line we let out. We catch a lot of catfish this way as well.

What are your tips, tricks and techniques for really keying in on big Bluegills or Red-ears when trolling?

Best Fishes,

Keith

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lord of the Fly , Rods on July 2, 2011 at 5:52am

Lets explore our options , yall are welcome to come to the CC, we have some of the finest Smallmouth fishing in the state, but it rustic conditions, or we can cut y our driving time in half and I could meet yall on the other side of the state,and we could meet on the buffalo river , white river , Bull shoals , or lake Dardnell and the middle fork of the Piney river. It would be a BBG get togther and fish fry, hey I,m all about it, think about , give me your ideas. I'm headed to the Crappy Cabin this morning,be back tomorrow night.

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Permalink Reply by Greg McWilliams on July 2, 2011 at 7:20am

Buffalo River, I have wanted to fish that one for year's!!!!! Supposed to be one of the GREAT SMALLMOUTH RIVERS, With no dams on freeflow style!!!!!

I second that motion!!!!!!! Ok Keith weigh in on this !!!!

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Permalink Reply by Greg McWilliams on July 2, 2011 at 9:56pm

Keith is really busy this weekend with the 4 th of july at the lake he works at!!!

LotF,R, Do some checking on the fishing in the fall, temps here are running in the mid to upper 100's. I am definatly interested in fall fishing expidition on the Buffalo!!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Lord of the Fly , Rods on July 3, 2011 at 1:19pm

Ok, I have been on the Buffalo about 10 times, always the upper end, but have been planning a trip to the lower end,so the middle might be what we need, Late Summer and early fall the water level might be to low to float the upper end, and the lower end there is no put in or take out points for the last 35 miles. I will study what kind of bargains we can get with the outfitters and report back. It beautiful in mid Sept and early Oct, bring your camera, and lets go fishing. LOFR

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Permalink Reply by Greg McWilliams on July 3, 2011 at 8:17pm

Color me in Your LORDSHIP, I will bring the lard and taters!!!!!

Permalink Reply by Keith Owen on July 5, 2011 at 10:19pm

Road trip to Arkansas for Smallmouth? CAN DO, EASY!

It would have to be this fall some time. Like in the neighborhood of late October or early November. The Park will keep me tied up until after the middle of September and Lisa and I are headed to New Mexico for two weeks to avail ourselves of the high country fishing there.

Where abouts on the Buffalo are we talking?

Keith

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Permalink Reply by Lord of the Fly , Rods on July 6, 2011 at 5:32am

I would suggest the middle section at that time, between Erbie Ford ,which is near Jasper and Gilbert. A 3 day out of state licence is about 14 dollars. We can either use canoes or small jon boats, this section also allows motors up to 10 hp.Do you want to camp at campsites, camp on the river or we can find lodging in a motel or cabin?The trees should be beautiful at that time, bring a camera so you can take a photo of my big fish. I have all the cooking equipment for the fish fry, It will be a mix of smallmouth, kentuckys, and bluegills, and my famous hushpuppies. Just get on I 40 and go east to Russellville Ar ,turn north on hwy 7,one of the 10 most scenic hwys in the country, and stay on it till you get to Jasper Ar. Lets work out the details , there are lots of fish to be caught, lots of memories to be made.

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Permalink Reply by Keith Owen on July 6, 2011 at 6:02pm

LotF,R-

Now that sounds like a good trip! I have a couple of canoes. One is a wide hull with a keel, good on flat or gentel flows. Great for packing. The other is a thin, flat bottom that oil-cans like crazy! It side slips like a dream but is fairly narrow. It doesn't carry as much weight. What kind of flows, current or white-water are we talking?

I have acess to john-boats as well and a 5hp 4-stroke. I have a cool little 3hp as well.

I'll pull all my maps and take a look at the area you mentioned.

Keith

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Permalink Reply by Lord of the Fly , Rods on July 7, 2011 at 6:13am

Keith, I have a 14 ft , 36 in bottom jon boat with 9.9 motor, and a 16 ft 44 inch wide plastic flatback scanoe with either a 3hp motor or trolling motor. This section of the river will be a little tamer than the upper end.Look up Wild bills outfitters or Buffalo Outdoor Center Outfitters , Or Buffalo gals outfitters ,this ought to get you excited. LOFR