Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

If you could only use one bait for the rest of your life what would it be?

Wanted to get some responses back on this.... If you had to throw everything out but one what would it be.  Strictly for bluegills and also just assume that you could have unlimited number of that bait but only one bait/type/size/color forever. 

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How about that! Nothin' surprises me when it comes to Leo!

Are you fishing in a private pond, or out in wild, public waters?

Very stressed county park ponds. Not uncommon to have 5-6 people fishing during a week day.  Most seem to target bass. Personally, I would rather C&R 20 gills to one bass.

I tend to do that a lot. Opt for a bunch of gills no matter the size, over bass and/or trout. The constant action when gills are biting is insane, every cast fish on for an hour.

I love to use hot dogs, They seem to work a little better for me if I sprinkle them with garlic salt.

 

Are y'all using them under a float?? How big of a piece? Thanks

Yes I fish mine under a float. I cut mine down the middle, then cut that section into three pieces,then cut them into  1/4 to 1/2 inch long, by about an 1/8 thick.

I usually cut the hot dog into 10 pieces across and then quarter each piece. This way I get 40 pieces and then double hook when I cast. About half the time I fish them naked with a #10 Aberdeen hook. The gill will usually hit on the drop. 

Another method is to float under a trout magnet E-Z float. This float makes the perfect indicator. 

Tony- I agree spikes are the best all round bait for bluegill, when I lived in wisconsin the we use to dig out the little bug that burrows in knotweed,, it was about 1/4 the size of a spike and we fished it on a barbless ice jig in the winter in about 6' of water and it was deadly. Kept them in a skole can with cornmeal in the fridge.

wax worms are my first choice, but I'm cheap, so garden worms, would be it.

 

1/32 or 1/16oz pink and white marabou jig.

If it is live bait,I would choose a red wiggler hands down. For an artificial,it would be a black 1/64 oz. deer hair jig. I have caught gills all times of the year on these. 

On the Maribou jigs do you guys have the best luck under a cork and bumping it slowly along?? Thanks

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