Big Ol'gills... Coming To Your Area Soon

[fishinwrench]

Just wanted to open up some discussion about hunting big Bluegill, something I get real excited about for 2 to 3 weeks every Spring. Around here I've noticed that the big ones are the first to move shallow and the perfect timing coincides with the little purple sprouts that come up in the corn/milo fields. Last year I missed out on it because it ALSO coincided with the White/Hybrid run in the creek by my house, and I got caught up too deeply in that...but never again ! Whites and Hybrids are great fun, but they aren't worth missing out on the Big honkin' Gills over.

[FishinCricket]

Just wanted to open up some discussion about hunting big Bluegill, something I get real excited about for 2 to 3 weeks every Spring. Around here I've noticed that the big ones are the first to move shallow and the perfect timing coincides with the little purple sprouts that come up in the corn/milo fields. Last year I missed out on it because it ALSO coincided with the White/Hybrid run in the creek by my house, and I got caught up too deeply in that...but never again ! Whites and Hybrids are great fun, but they aren't worth missing out on the Big honkin' Gills over.

Wow, you have a white/hybrid run in the creek by your house? May i move in? LOL (seriously, any chance of inviting a "friend" out? HEHE) My assumption is no since you are currently asking for others who are bailing on the whites in favor of the Gills..

Which I admire.. I remember last year someone posted a photo of a 2lber, was that you? I usually only catch them in big ponds, and only then by mistake.. Looking forward to your insight and that of your responders..

Meantime, when did you say those whites come through? LOL

[brownieman]

You're right wrench,

'Bore Gills' as I call em are right around the corner, an absolute blast to catch on any light tackle and the grandkids, well, it just don't get no better.

I have a buddy where the gills and hybrid sunfish are plum thick...don't forget we are trading off trips on my little lakes and your little creek, lol.

You speak of the purple blooms in the fields is the time, same as the crappie spawn starting when the dogwoods are blooming...a guy can almost bank on it.

These are the type fish we all should fish for to eat, lay off the smallies, there are always plenty of pan fish for a good meal and for their size they put up one heck of a fight...'planers, their just alot of fun.

Speakin of smallies, I don't know if all fisherpeople know how slow the growth rate of a smallie is...amazingly slow compared to other species. I kept some many years ago but these days it's totally against my constitution to do so.

I hope people realize how slow their growth rate really is...they don't reach a foot in length for 3 to 5 years.

If it's a meal you're after keep a mess of gogs, gills, greenies, heck chubs, lol...anything but a smallie. There's always something to stink a little grease with besides smallies.

[fishinwrench]

I'll let ya'll know when the white/hybrid run begins. Last year the water receeded after a gullywasher and we were sight fishing to groups of 4-7lb. landlocked hybrids....it was pretty crazy. I wish I had video equipment cuz it is something you really need to see to get a grip on it. After the Hybrids disappeared the whites kept coming in, it was like a new group of fish moved up every nite. Then just when it looked like it was about over...the Gar showed up, and OMG ! That's how I totally missed the big Gill movement. I only have a couple of good bluegill areas nearby, and they are only good if you hit them at the right time. Miss the window and all you'll catch is the 6 inchers. Hit it right and they look like this...

I do know of one MDC lake in Callaway county, and another in Boone that are being managed for Big Gills. A buddy of mine hits the one in Callaway every year and reports plenty of 9-10 inchers, several 11's, and of course a pair of legendary 12's. His fly of choice is a little 3/4 inch long mini-clouser tied with kelly-green and white calftail. He sent me this pic last year...

Here's a little concoction I came up with, that has caught a lot of big Bulls.... Basically a #10 mustad 3366, 1/60 clouser eyes, a black hen hackle, and a Southern Pro "Tiny Worm". This thing Kills !

[FishinCricket]

I'll let ya'll know when the white/hybrid run begins. Last year the water receeded after a gullywasher and we were sight fishing to groups of 4-7lb. landlocked hybrids....it was pretty crazy. I wish I had video equipment cuz it is something you really need to see to get a grip on it

I would gladly volunteer my video taping equipment and services and the youtube posting (so all us crazy anglers can watch it and ohh and ahh) if I could ome down and fish it with you.. Sounds like an experience... Just a thought.

[fishinwrench]

I would gladly volunteer my video taping equipment and services and the youtube posting (so all us crazy anglers can watch it and ohh and ahh) if I could ome down and fish it with you.. Sounds like an experience... Just a thought.

You got it Man, I'll holler when they start moving. If it plays out like last year it'll blow your mind.

Now Dammit Cricket quit trying to distract me....this is a HONKER BLUEGILL thread

Hybrids tearing up the creek between my house and the bluegill ponds are detremental to the mission at hand.

[creek wader]

I don't have hybrids or whites in the creek by me, ... but ... the perfect timing coincides with the little purple sprouts that come up in the corn/milo fields ... is known as henbit (fyi)

[fishinwrench]

I don't have hybrids or whites in the creek by me, ... but ... the perfect timing coincides with the little purple sprouts that come up in the corn/milo fields ... is known as henbit (fyi)

Henbit ! Someone told me they were marigolds...but I knew that wasn't right. I looked it up and you are right, that's it ! Thanks CW ! Are you an ol'farmhand that just knows dung like that...or did ya have to ask one ? LOL

The big Gills are out when the Henbit sprouts......that sounds cool.