November Gilling

[Jim Gronaw]

Well, I have to admit that bluegill fishing in the open water is a no where near finished for the year. We have been out three times this month and the 'worst' trip has been 40 fish. We are not catching alot of real giants, but have managed a few '10's '.

Today my son Matt and I got about 50 all together and had about 2 dozen eaters. Air temps were a balmy 70 F, but the water was at 48 F. We got them on 1/32 nd and 1/64 th oz jigheads tipped with worm pieces and 'wind-drifted' them at 3 feet below a small bobber to find the fish.

I love it when I see the cold crowd still catching big gills all the way to ice up. Most people in my area have given up on panfish and are either praying for ice or looking all the way to next spring. Me? I'm gonna keep on fishing...hope yopu all do, too!

[Tommy Winton]

Hey Jim im still gilling even though the weather and water has cooled here in florida. Has slowed down the fishing a lot but if can find where they are schooling can get them in good numbers. Got some nice ones on shrimp but with the water cooling downsized my bait and can catch them.

[Eric White]

November is always great for gills find them before the water freezes then hit them spots first ice.

[Steve Fleckenstein]

Today was a nice day to be out.I went to a pond on state gamelands only to find the water all murky,don't know why as we haven't had rain in awhile.i then went to another pond and the water was clear.I only caught a few though before I ran out of time.I caught mine on a small hair jig and another chenille rubber tail jig I tie tipped with maggots fished below a small bobber.I have some time to go tomorrow and i'm gonna try your method Jim.There was 1 other fisherman out today,I saw him leave with what looked like a few fish on a stringer.He was on the other side of the pond and I didn't talk with him.

[Bill "Musky" Modica]

Jim, Nov Gilling is also hot in my area....47 deg surface temps have pushed fish shallow, and 100 fish days have been common....not alot of giants, but plenty of fat healthy eaters.

So many fisherman start their "limbo" period at this time of year, while missing some of the fastest pre-ice action of the entire season.....I'm looking forward to at least 3 more outings or possibly 4 until the surface skims over....it makes for a shorter wait for the ice to become safe..:)

[Jim Gronaw]

Hey Bill, you sure are right about those late fall gills. Not a lot of big fish, but plenty for the pan. I also hope to cash in on a few more trips before it gets too cold. Good luck in all you do!

[Steve Fleckenstein]

I hope to get out as much as I can.These ponds close for the season Dec 31.Deer season begins 2 weeks from tomorrow,if I can get 1 early I 'll be out fishing.

[CrappieKeith]

We've been working these cold water pannies as well.

[John Sheehan]

You're an inspiration Jim!Went Bullhead fishin' tonight 5-9pm .Only caught two ..they're in the garage on ice.I 'll deal with carving them up tomorrow.It'll be my first bullhead meal in a long long time.

[John Cachel]

I fish until I can not fish because of ice then I wait for safe ice to fish again! I like long pole in the late Fall. I can make my float stay in one spot much longer and keep my bait close to bottom! Long pole help me easier to set the hook when bluegill bite so soft. 9 out of 10 'gills hooked on the lip! Other I like combo bait! First put a redworm then tip a maggot on size 10 hook! Lot of bluegills, sunfish, bass, suckers, carp and catfish on this bait! Below dam of lake, deepwater in river's backwater and small lakes.
Tommy Winton ..... I know what you mean in Florida! When I am in Florida and I even noticed that fishing is not easy when the weather get coolier. Around 60 degrees is cold for fish in Florida! Why not you try a long pole and slim float and fish deeper just outside of weedbed! Good luck!

[Steve Fleckenstein]

I was out for awhile yesterday,caught a few.There was no size on the gills but I caught a couple decent perch