Road Less Traveled

[Joe Angelucci]

Spent the last 6 months fishing (800+ fish) with a 7 foot telescopic pole, various sized hooks(6 -32), micro plastic baits and hot dogs. All from the shore and on 2# test

What I've learned is that bluegill will eat just about anything.

Fishing with no indicator or bobber increased my hook up ratio

A small fish is as good as a big fish especially if the goal is the pull on the line and the smile.

I kept it simple this year and I simply caught fish and had the time of my life.

JDA

You can spend as little or as much as you like and still catch 

[Jim Gronaw]

Sounds like a great season and sound advise as well! Good for you!

[Joe Angelucci]

Jim

Thanks, this season was a real eye opener for me. Scaling back the equipment really helped me learn technique

JDA

[Bruce Tomaselli]

You got that right. The tug is the drug!

[Joe Angelucci]

Amen Brother.... Short pole and light line really gets you up close and personal. 

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Good observations, Joe.
I've noticed that the small gills are, indeed, less persnickety than those with years on them.
They do offer a lot of fun, too... When other fish have me stymied, I can get a tug from the mobbing crowd bear shore.
- I also seem to do as well with that lot using a plain, unweighted hook. Adding a small stuck float is also appealing.
- Rock banks are a good draw. Sunny and/or tree covered riprap seems to be the best.
- Never tried hot dogs in earnest, but I've made some pan toughened salt-vinegar-garlic cured "nuggets" for cat fish. Maybe the gills will appreciate them.

Thanks, Joe.

[Joe Angelucci]

David

Thanks, I was surprised that I was able to land many decent sized gills in the 6-8 inch range on the 6-10 size hooks that close. I was told that large gills were attached to the activity of the smaller ones. I would start small and end big . 

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Yes, I often find larger gills and shellcrackers on the deep side fringe of dink groups.

[LedHed]

Kudos and congrats. Your next progression should be catching fish on your own creation.....

[Joe Angelucci]

LedHed

Thanks, Not sure if I'm going to add tying this year since the hooks and micro plastics worked great. 

[John Sheehan]

Hot dogs!  you too Joe? I find they work fine and are a real cheap bait .Do you toughen them up at all by micro waving them? I too like to fish them without a float but will generally use a small shot up from the hook .Cast them using 2# test . But these telescopic I guess you don't cast with ,is that right? If you do what reel are you using . Thanks for the post!

[Dan Bippus]

I like to cut the hotdogs into small pieces, then let the hot sun dry them up a little.  Put them on a trout magnet with no other weight and let them sink to the bottom.  Caught several 'bull' gills and a decent green carp this morning this way.  Often,  i€ do believe simple is a lot better.

[John Sheehan]

Sounds good Dan I get many slices for Gill bait out of a single  hot Dog .I usually put them on small spoons but also put them on a hook and a shot ,sometimes along with a small spinner added.

But your right simple can be much better when the bite is tough .