List your top (5) factors that you feel contributes most to your own personal success with B’Gill fishing or panfishing in general.

[Slip Sinker]

 

My list

1. Sonar! Made number one… you can’t catch the fish if they are not there!! Change your fishing life and success and invest in a decent sonar.
2. Graphite rods… sensitivity, sensitivity and sensitivity
3. Braid… Graphite and braid what a combination!
4. GULP ALIVE! Waxies… game changer when it comes to bait. Especially in pink. I believe it is a great tipping for Bill Modicas spoon technique.
5. Drop shotting… my number one method of obtaining decent Gillage.

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i have always felt that being invited to fish with someone... showing you their techniques , tactics and spots was the greatest honor in fishing. everyone can learn from anyone in this sport!. this discussion in simple form is just that... we are learning bits and pieces of your knowledge foundation that took you time and effort on a BOW to develop... this is awesome! TY for taking the time to share!

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

This is always interesting to me......

1. First and foremost is fishing water that holds both quality gills and numbers.........the Albemarle estuary is one of the most diverse waterways in America...........the amount of public water is one of the main reasons I settled on building a home here over 12 years ago with the knowledge that an abundance of coppernose were available........

2. Knowledge of the vast water......it can be intimidating to anglers with just a few days or an occasional weekend to learn the area and what the gills like.......I've recorded more than  2,000 trips over the last 15 years covering almost 70 percent of the estuary........I've established so many quality spots I'm able to reduce the pressure on a handful of spots which is big in the long term.....

3.  How do the elements of weather impact your fish......water temperature being the most important along with wind speed and direction which influences the wind tides in this region and often stimulate incredible feeding frenzies

4. Available forage.......what are the fish eating in your body of water.........I know grass shrimp for example is a major component of the panfish food naturally occurring in the Albemarle so I chose to match that as often as I can with great results........

5.  Fish often and keep a log book......you will be amazed how often a little clue such as wind direction or moon phase will make a difference in your fishing results.........I have never went public with my detailed log but I'm considering it for 2016 on this site.......similar to what Slip has done..........

[Jim Gronaw]

Excellent game plan and info Jeffrey!

[Slip Sinker]

1. First and foremost is fishing water that holds both quality gills and numbers.........the Albemarle estuary is one of the most diverse waterways in America...........the amount of public water is one of the main reasons I settled on building a home here over 12 years ago with the knowledge that an abundance of coppernose were available........

You did a great job finding that ultimate body of water! tough beating what you have there id say anywhere in the country!!

i did the same thing when i moved up here... investigated all the lakes close to me as well as finding a home with water on the property as well as a place close enough to walk to for good fishing. at the time i was deeply interested in bass fishing as well as the other preds including walleye. i found that spot! who knew id do a complete flip in fishing interest and turn to B'Gill... Michigan plainly sucks when it comes to quality gill fishing... quality here is 7.5" to 9" ...10"inches and up would be like winning the lotto... lol

[carl hendrix]

fly rod in a 3 wt is number one for me!!                                                                                                                           a fly rod and porkupine quill is number 2!!                                                                                                                          l a descent boat number 3                                                                                                                                               descent depth / fish finder number 4                                                                                                                              good fly line is a MUST!!  number 5;; or is it number 1??                                                                                                  a good fly rod;; quill floats;  good jigs; or flies;;  makes gill catching a ton of fun!   and;; when you catch a occasional bass or catfish;;   oh yea;; you just have to experience that for yourself; to see the fun!!   when a 9 foot rod;; is doubled over;; rod tip touching water;; fighting a good size bass or kittie fish-- it dont get any better!!  

[dick tabbert]

Interesting Jim and I think your dead on. I do think there can be more added but that would be micro managing and maybe a little to much in depth.

[carl hendrix]

Jeffery definitly had the right idea--  build a house- close to the best fishing spot in the country!   fertile water;; low fishing pressure certainly makes for the best fishing !!  adding to that;; Jeffery keeps daily logs on his fishing spots;; wind direction;; barometric pressure; time of day; cloudy versus blue sky---   its no wonder Jeffery is consistant  on his catching ability. not to mention;; being careful not to over fish any one spot;; making sure he has a bounty next time !

[carl hendrix]

and i have witnessed;; Lord of the Fly Rods using a electric knife!!  he can fillet 3 gills to my 1;; and im pretty quick with a regular knife!

[roger keith wray]

number one for me was finding this web site! I've been fishin 250 days a yr for bout everything that swims but have learned a lot from all the great guys on here! My Dad originally hooked me on fishing by takin me to a pond to catch bedding 'Gills! Now thats how I get youngsters hooked! It still works!

[Slip Sinker]

thanks Roger... love this site too... has really supercharged my interest in panfishing... gets me off that couch!!! they are all a great bunch of people here sharing info ideas and even flys.

thats the way my Dad got me interested... also with black crappie ... one after another with the cane pole... jigs n minnows