Bluegill/bass

[Hunter91]

Went yesterday out of Rockaway. Found some bluegill spawning up Bull Creek. Caught about a dozen good ones on my flyrod. while bringing one in I had about a 5lb+ bass trying to get the bluegill. He wasn't quiet fast enough. Also caught 4, as Trav calls them, sport bass, and one that was about three pounds on a buzzbait right at dark. I had just about forgot how much fun catching bluegill on a flyrod was.

[Trav]

Those Sport Bass make it all worth while.

I may not catch 10 pounders here on Lower Taney, But the bass fishing can be fun.

[bigredbirdfan]

Trav,

Have you found a boat yet or what?

Going brownie fishing and smallmouth on friday on white river with the wife. Not too bad a honey do? Ha (only half HaHa )

[Trav]

Im still looking for a 35 hp tiller stear. Thought I might settle for a 25 hp but the offer got recended. Even those are hard to find in my price range. You know of any?

I do have a 45 classic 50 merc as a trade. cables and oil injector included. Just needs a little lower unit work.

Either way, I will find something eventially

[Trav]

The gills are so abundant this year!

I have been cleaning up the store with them. The action is darn near one on every cast and the jig isnt in the water more than 3 seconds before the hook set.

For you fly guys that cant get into the high water at the dam, I suggest you head down to the lower and pick these guys up. I havent been able to find any under 5 inches and they have been averaging 6 to 9 inches. Plus we all know they fight harder than a trout.

I personally have been using 1/2 inch grubs on a tiny ultra light rig. I dont think it will matter as long as you keep it moving. They will swarm it. And I mean SWARM. There is 2 dozen of them off every structure and they fight over the bait.

Some of you might jab me for this type of fishing, but when it is good, it is fun!! With a capital F. So fast that you almost feel overwhelmed.

The key , if your thinking of coming down to the lower Taney, Is shallow water. You want to be near structure that is in one foot of water. Toss your presentation in the 2 foot range and tempt them out of thier cover. If your boat is sitting in 7 foot your too deep.

I post these type of reports for a reason. Nobody likes to go fishing and not have fun. And the Lower Taney can be very rough to the novice. Plus, I know that with all the water that is projected to be running this summer, you fly fisherman will be bumming because you cant wade those premo areas. Dont forget that a 8 inch gill will fight harder than a 10 inch trout.

[Hunter91]

Don't forget how good those bluegill taste. If they are big enough, I usually don't do C&R on them. Please don't give me a hard time about that I do C&R on most bass I catch and even on the ocassional walleye..........

[Trav]

Good Eats! I find cleaning gills to be a drag so dont bother. But you can carry home 50 a day from down here and not even put a dent in the population.