Greetings

[Bill Majewski]

Hi Everyone,
I just joined the group. I'm quite tech challenged but I'd like to participate. Bluegills and the like are my passion and I can see that there is a lot of passion here.

I'm hoping to pick up a few tips and provide a few. I'm a 99% pond fisherman and have no boat. So, my opportunities are somewhat limited.

I've done well the last few times out. I finally got one over 10", although it was a hybrid and not a pure gill. I'm going to try to attach the pic, is there any trick to it other than attaching the file? Still looking for a male gill over 10" in it's spawning colors. That's a very tough order from shore in my neck of the woods, but it won't stop me from trying!

Bill

[Jim Gronaw]

Hey Bill...welcome to the group, man! And hey, don't feel bad about your biggest sunfish being a hybrid...me too on that one. And pond fishing is a great way to cash in on some huge gills...good luck! Jim

[Charles Singleton]

NICE 'gill! If you can catch THAT, you don't need ME givin' you pointers! :-D

I WOULD say, though, that you don't NEED a boat. If there are places you want to reach that you can't, get a kayak or float tube. I have one of each, and, although I haven't used the belly boat in quite a while, there are definitely circumstances where I'd prefer it over the 'yak. You might also consider a pontoon boat. They're more trouble to set up and tear down, but they're more stable than a 'yak and keep you drier and higher than a float tube.

Whatever you do, welcome to the group and keep doin' what you're doin'!

[Dan "dano" Moreno]

Welcome, Hope you enjoy the site like I have, I am newly joined member also only my 3rd year into fishing since I was a boy. and I'm loving it. I'm just north of you in WI., very nice pic there seems you know what your doing. tight lines

[robert b reid]

welcome to the board. and congrats on a 10" i have yet to do that for bream.

[Tom Tischer]

Hi Bill, Welcome to BBB, A 10" Gill is a nice size Gill in anybodys Book. Hybrid or not. Where did you catch that Bull?

[Bill Majewski]

Thanks Tom, I caught it in a small waterway that see's very little pressure. That's what allowed it to get so big. I was using a small jig with some GULP maggots. I find that the panfish can't resist this when presented under a small float.

I see you're in Lake Zurich... I remember my dad taking my brother and I to Lake Zurich about 40 years ago (we lived in Niles at the time). We'd rent a boat and row out to some weed beds and catch tiny little perch. We thought that was a great adventure! That's one of the experiences that really got me hooked on fishing. How's the fishing in Lake Zurich these days? Is there any public access?

Bill

[Tom Tischer]

Bill just read your message, let me know, I have a Pontoon on the lake, I'll take you out sometime. Gills have been slow, and those Perch after 40 yrs, havn't grown much! Seem to be the same Size!