catching the big ones, only the big ones?

[Jimbo]

Do any you have tactics that exclude the small bluegill? I have one that seems to infrequently catch bass and bream: Carolina rig a live night crawler and reel it in slowly this will usually catch a teeny bass or a nice gill. This works well but I'm interested in what you do.

[Zach Draskovic]

Sticking to artificials will usually eliminate most, if not all of the small bluegill that you have to sort through using live bait. You catch less fish but usually they are the 7-8 1/2 inch fish that put up a good fight. A beetle spin with a tube is a favorite of mine for fishing in 2-8ft. Everyone has their favorite and a lot depends on the depth/clarity/structure.

[Trevor]

Crank baits!

[Jimbo]

My brother caught a gill on a crankbait once, is there any special way you fish them?

[Jim Gronaw]

Hey Jimbo...all the tactics that are outlined here on this site will take the big boys. Bill Musky Mods spoonin gig will likely target bigger fish simply because of lure size and the deeper methods that he and other metal heads fish them.

I personally like live worms, much the way you fish them, to target bigger gills in some of my local waters.

Regardless of the technique or tactics that you use, you are bound to encounter smaller fish from time to time. The best advice I can offer you is to fish waters that 'have' big fish in their history and are currently producing them. This will involve research and fishing time on the water. There is little chance in catching trophy sunfish in lakes that, at best, only yield 8 inchers, which are fine eating and sporting in their own right. Good luck!

[Jeff Soto]

A nightcrawler threaded onto a 1/16 oz jig head and slowly jigged back on the bottom. Last couple of trips, this set up caught my largest BGs. I also use 2 lb test line, which is not only hard for the fish to see, but helps in getting more distance with your casting.

[Jimbo]

I'm using 6 pound test copolymer it's at least as invisible as 2 pound monofilament and is very low memory.

[John Cachel]

If I catch small bluegill then I move! So far in my past that I never catch a small and big bluegill in one spot!
Live bait, deeper and off shore work good for me but of course depends on what water you fish! Some lake that heavy shallow cover lakes that fish in hole of heavy cover do well for me! Use 6 or 8 lbs test line for heavy cover!
Small lure always fun for me!

[Dave Bausano]

I agree with Zach that artificials tend to discourage the smaller fish, but you will still catch them.

Also, except during spawing, the big boys tend to hang in deeper water.

There are no surefire ways to eliminate all the small fish but the two tips above should net a higher % of big gills.

[Tommy Winton]

Reeling a cricket or worm really really slow along the bottom with a split shot works really good for me. I usually catch bigger ones doing that.

[Jeff Hayford]

I had a Gill dinner tonight because this is the way I caught them today. Also, picked up some 12" perch by accident..They ate good too though.

I have noticed at times though the bite will become light and at times just an inhale. Pay special attention to your line and tip is a must. Sometimes just the weight being taken off the line is a fish.

[Ryan H.]

Artificials have caught me everything from 5-8" bluegill. Havnt found a good spot to catch anything bigger, yet. Live bait the same.

Ive caught ONE pumpkinseed on a 6" floating rapala hinged model...blaze orange at that! Dunno what that poor little guy was thinkin! Pretty sure that was a reactionary strike, not so much one out of hunger. I know it was a strike as it was hooked from inside its mouth...

Charlie Brewer's Slider 1" panfish grubs on a 1/3oz jighead work, Im gonna try the 1 1/2" on 1/16oz jighead in deeper waters to see if I cant find some big gills...

[jeffery gibson]

i like the beetle spin wiht a 1/16th oz head or if you jig fish use a 1/16th oz jig head and that should sort em out