Blank stares?

[Michael S]

I mainly do shore angling. I have a small boat, but I don't take it out that much. Many anglers I run into and have short conversations with seem dumbfounded when they find out I'm after bluegill, rock bass, and other panfish and not chasing yellow perch, largemouth, catfish et al. I still catch just about everything out there doing what I'm doing. I enjoy perch fishing from a boat; from shore I think it's too much work for too few fish.

What do you think? Bluegills are for kids? Do you think panfishing is under-rated?

I know I'm preaching to the choir here...but still....

[Ryan McCaw]

Let them move on to chase Bass and Walleye and leave the gills to us. All the marketing and new products focus on those fish which convinces everyone to fish for them. I like panfish like you and could care less what the guys in the overprices boats are targeting. Long live the gill.

[Bruce Condello]

Long live the gill!

[Michael S]

Amen.

[bluegillboogieman]

Long live the gill!


Boogieman

[Patrick "Bullworm" Olson]

I love the blank stare! I have had the same thing happen to me many times. I consider myself a multi-species angler. If it has gills (meaning any fish) I will fish for it. I have caught sturgeon 6ft long, 6lb LM bass, up here that is a big one, 53" musky, numerous large pike, heck I once got into a school of lake chubs and shinners that were huge and had a blast! But it wasn't till I caught my hog gill, thats when things changed. Nothing gets my attention more than big bulls. I have been sight fishing for big bass before and spotted nice gills in the process and guess what...away goes the flippin' stick and out comes the ultralight! Getting the blank stare is the greatest feeling. I translate that into, LESS COMPETITION! When everyone around here is chasing the almighty walleye I'm all alone catching nice gills! Love it!
Most people do not realize that a 10" plus bluegill is just as hard to come by as 8lb+ walleye or a 7lb+ bass. Most people do think bluegill are for kids. Thats why we fish for BULLS!

[robsabloke]

Catching large Bluegills (over 10") consistently is as challenging as catching any fish out there. Catching lil gills (Sunnies) with the kids is fun and a great way to start a kid out fishing because the small fish are very obliging.... on the other hand "Big Bull Gills" can be very elusive and incredibly particular about what they put in their mouths.
Pound for pound Bluegill are one of the finest fighting freshwater fish out there... in fact the only other fish that comes close in my opinion is the Smallmouth Bass. Even small gills on a light fly rod make for a fun days fishing. As a good friend of mine always says "I've never met a Bluegill I didn't like".
Tight Lines
Rob

[Michael S]

I've assumed it was a marketing thing. Bass and walleye make the bucks so they are going to be pushed.

Glad I found this site. I'm the only bluegill fisherman I know.

[Mac]

It's fun! I like it! So be it!

[Trevor]

the blank stare - GET IT!!!

[robert b reid]

i know your not preaching to the choir. i mainly go after bream and nothing else. i too get those blank stares as to why i am only going after bream they just laugh. yeah to me bass fishing is over rated and anyone can catch catfish. but if you havent caught a bream on a ultra light fly rod or on a u/l spinng rod you dont know what you are missing. i have a boat to btu its a pain in the rear to drag it to some ponds that i fish. i hope to get me a gheenoe in the next few years that whay i can get into some tighg and low spots on some local rivers that are near by.

[John Sikkila]

I'm kinda glad bluegill fishing is underated (in my area anyways)....After all ,why would I want to go to a few of my favorite fishing waters and have them filled with 2 dozen 18-20'' Lunds and Crestliners(and whatever) with 250 hp yamahas like stepping stones....lol!.....No...I'll keep my bluegill waters low key....Let em all give me the "blank stare" ...not a problem!...lol!...Let em pound the bass and walleyes!....

[Bob Hubby]

We have missed alot by buying into the bass mentality. To have fun fishing dosen't require a 250 HP motor, in fact, I have some of my most enjoyable fishing trips from a rowboat catching bass, BLUEGILL and specks. I, for one, just like to fish. A family can fish from shore better than a bassboat any day. Bob