What state would you choose to fish Bluegill if you could only pick one?

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

We are fortunate to have members from all over this great nation...One of my favorite things about Bigbluegill.com is the instant connection with the people that love and enjoy the same things that I do when it comes to all things Bluegill from folks all over the country.....Many of us have also had the great experience of fishing several different states whether vacationing, traveling for work or as a result of moving..... If you could pick one state to fish Bluegill, what state would it be and why? Thanks for sharing and I expect this may be a difficult choice for some and very easy for others.....Again, thanks in advance!

[Ray Ditzenberger]

I have not read all the replies but I would have thought that Florida would have been at the top of the list. I have not fished gills a lot there but I have caught some nice ones there and the growing season is Looooooog as is the spawning season. Yepper....Florida would top my list and just think of all the other fishing opportunities........ Yep...Florida

[paul sach]

Florida is just loaded with all types of panfish, lakes, ponds, canals, any where you go one
Will end up catching sizeable Bluegills, Coppernose, and with the help of great learned people on
Here like Jeffrey and others you can't help being successfull ..

Paul

[shooter]

Louisiana,of course i am being a little bias,for big gill and chinks it has to be Florida,the fauther south the longer the growing sesion,so for me it has to be Florida.

 i would love to fish Cuba for gills.

[Jesse Denton]

Strictly for the purpose of catching bluegills, throw in a few other species, I  would start in NW Mississippi in Tunica Cutoff and hit as many oxbows along the Mighty Muddy as I could until I got to salty water in Louisiana.

Take the Deep Woods Off.

[Ray Ditzenberger]

Ought to find some big gar during that trip as well.

[Jesse Denton]

I'm afraid a gar wouldn't last long on a 4 lb. leader and a 3 wt. flyrod.  But it would be fun for a few seconds.

[Ray Ditzenberger]

hahaha....hehehe .....Maybe you could upgrade to 6#  tippet.......hahahaha.......I did see a large carp caught on a 3wt once. Carp don't have a lot of teeth however.

[Jesse Denton]

4 lb. line has been my magic number for a long time.  I have seen when heavier resulted in fewer fish in the boat, however with fluorocarbon and improvements that may no longer be the case.  For a gar I think at least some Kevlar or wire is called for.  I have a 7.5 lb. class grass carp and  channel cat that large or larger notches on my 3 wt. handle.  It's a good way to spend 12 or 15 minutes ( I checked my watch on the cat it took 15 minutes)..

[Ray Ditzenberger]

That is interesting.....for many years I used 4# also. I eventually went to 6# and I saw little if any change in my catches. I went to 6# because of the amount of baits I lost because of knicks in the line. The 6# was much more forgiving. Just my experience.

[Robert Highhawk]

Alabama

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

Any of the newer members care to weigh in? We would love to hear what you have to say........

[Stan Wright]

Well, I guess I'll just have to go with Hawaii.  Our bluegill may not be the biggest, or the most plentiful...  but you can't beat the weather where they live.  LOL LOL LOL

Aloha,

Stan