The little bluegills that you caught as a kid are the same species, but
another-critter-altogether from the big boss bull 'gills that give so much
sport to those who fish for them. Big bluegills in the 10-12 inch jumbo size
will weigh over a pound and give an unbelievable fight. They hunt in packs
of 10-30 individuals and are not afraid of any critter. (they are too large
for most pike to eat) At sunrise on still water, they will surface feed
with their eyes just below the water. Because of their round shape, this
will leave a crescent (their back) an inch above water and about 6 inches
long. Because they feed on line, this may appear as a single strange
critter swimming along the surface.

Once you find their depth, you can fill your limit with the big-uns, often
from a single spot. My best method is a weedy drop-off from 4-15 feet,
which I fish usually at 5-8 foot depth (sometimes deeper in bright sun)
about 10 feet out from the weeds at the top of the drop-off.

I fish 4# mono (on a 12' ultralight rod) with a gold plated light-wire hook,
beneath a quill float. (a real porcupine quill; I'm a snob) and a single
bbb shot. Bait is brown crickets. The biggest bluegills have the lightest
bite. They will either hit the cricket as it falls (the bobber will not
stand up), or they will swim up and inhale the cricket and sit in place.
(the bobber will rise 1/16 inch and appear otherwise normal)

If you begin catching small bluegills, fish further from the weedline. (Big
gills don't hang with small gills) Also try slightly deeper. Big bluegills
school together and travel together. Once you find the pattern, it will
generally hold good for the entire lake. Big bluegills are terrific
fighters, they will spin your boat around the anchor line. Use a landing
net; the weight of the big ones will eventually straighten out those light
wire hooks, and a 2 pounder flipping around the aluminum boat makes a
terrible racket.

The same basic bobber setup is also good for crappies. Use small minnows,
fish 8-12 feet deep off the same type drop offs. Crappie are more open
water fish, so fish further off the drop offs. I often fish crickets for
bluegills, and toss the same rig 12 feet deep with a minnow toward the
center of the lake for crappies. Crappies can often be found below the big
bluegills, but the largest crappies will be solitary hunters toward open
water.

Leeches are also great baits, and either gills or crappies will take them.
Leeches are for those times when nothing seems to want to bite. Be prepared
for slamming strikes using leeches on those days when action is slow.

I'm not really into salmon egg bait. It is a favorite for ice fishing, and
as a perch bait. The problem is not the bait--- it's the brine they are
packed in; eventually, everything in your box will turn to rust. (another
reason to use gold-plated hooks)

Pepperoni


"Ben" wrote in message
m...
Does anyone ever talk about Bluegill fishing?

I remember catching these little guys by the dozen when I was a kid.

I don't remember doing anything special to catch them. I usually caught
them while I was fishing for trout (I know warm water species vs cold
water species).

This makes me think that I remember catching them using cheese, or
salmon eggs, or marshmallows.

So, I was wondering if Bluegill really do bite on powerbaits,
powernuggets, and salmon eggs. I know from reading that they bite on
crickets and worms and minnows.

Anyone care to challenge my memories?

Thanks,

Ben