Locating Bluegills in Summer

[Bruce Tomaselli]

Do I go to the deep water, drop-offs, or look for down trees or weeds in shallow areas. I always have a hard time in the summer. Thanks

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

Water temperature is one of the most important factors to successful fishing……in my region, sustained surface temps of 80 degrees or higher and the gills will start searching for cooler temps, if deep water is available the fish will find the thermocline or any form of shade available either natural or manmade including shallow….in my area I’m convinced that in August you must fish early and late for higher success rates……to sum it up Bruce , try during the coolest part of the day and definitely look for available shade or consider looking for suspended gills in the deepest water available, this could be close to shorelines, weed lines or even flats…..they want to get to their food source quickly…..good luck, I’m seeing water temps close to 90 in my region right now, it’s been a grind……

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

YUP I AGREE WITH JEFF ALSO........it's been hot as heck here also. I don't have a boat any more and the pond I've been fishing is getting mossed over bbbbbbbbbad. I quit fishing for the immediate future till it cools a bit....

[Mikey-D]

I would have to agree with Jeff on his reply 110% I have seen surface temps here in Va. 85deg. have found the gills in 10 to 15ft on a drop off. Also a good fish finder will help a great deal I have a hummingbird 360 and that changes the game hands down but you cant make them bite.

[Frank M]

Did very well most of the summer for pan fish in general. The three lakes I fish go as deep as 14' and all have structure types in different parts of the lake. Our drought ended early in the year and along with Hurricane Ida and the 8" of rain, the water is right up to the bank. Locating fish in the lake closest to me I've found fish in 7' or less. Sonar is key and I have an old color unit which tells me bottom hardness, weeds, structure edges and most important - fish no matter the size. If all I see in the middle of nowhere in 6.9', I fan cast around the boat until I find concentrations. 

The lures used are all soft plastics rigged on 1/24 oz and 1/16 oz jigs with hook size to match the lures I'm casting - which are many in shape and action. Most important is to cover a lot of water slowly. That may sound like a contradiction but too fast a retrieve will not get fish to bite.

Subtle action lures are my best producers such as these:

[Bruce Tomaselli]

Thanks, Frank, and all. I've pick up a lot of good information through this thread.

[Frank M]

Had to add a few things:

Confidence colors are important but so is contrast. I've used Spike-It dye - liqid and felt tip - for years and after the lateral line has shown lure direction, I want its eyes to see the lure better. In summer most of us have to deal with algae green or murky water in general. On one outing a used a color plastic that almost matched the water color and got few hits. Once I switched to brighter or darker colors, strike numbers impoved. Beetle Spin type rigs also provide flash and vibration that help fish target the lure from a greater distance and then the grub body itself when it gets close.

Bright white reflects the most light along with bright flouresent colors.
Note the dark body and chartreuse tail with black line (Spike-It pen).