Gills At Table Rock

[smallmouthjoe]

I went to Table Rock this weekend and stumbled upon two pockets full of what appeared to be bluegills protecting beds from their own kind. I didn't realize that they spawned so late, I thought they spawned shortly after the bass. Whenever they spawn, I was very glad to find them and glad that I had forgot to take my fly rod out of my truck after the weekend before. Caught pretty much all of them with a black hand tied bream popper size 8. Caught maybe forty or fifty of them and they all fought hard and where released. Who knew catching Bluegills could be so fun.

[Flysmallie]

Catching them on a flyrod is a blast. I love my little 3wt for that. Looks like you had a great time.

They were still protecting the nests a couple of weeks ago on the Current. It does seem like they are spawning a little later this year or maybe it's just another cycle.

[smallmouthjoe]

I really want to get a 3wt. I've been looking at this one.

http://www.troutlet.com/Eagle-Claw-Granger...-Rods-P216.aspx

I caught all of those gills on my 5wt and it was blast. Hooking up with one on a 3wt would probably be insane.

[Flysmallie]

I really want to get a 3wt. I've been looking at this one.

http://www.troutlet.com/Eagle-Claw-Granger...-Rods-P216.aspx

I caught all of those gills on my 5wt and it was blast. Hooking up with one on a 3wt would probably be insane.

Well the price is definitely right. I bought an Echo a couple of years ago and use it more than anything.

Yeah bluegill can be insane on it, but just wait until you get a hold of a 15" smallie on one.

[zsmith62]

I bought a 3 wt. back in October and love it... I originally bought it to use on Crane creek, but have only used it at the trout parks... still, it's a lot of fun.

As much as I LOVE trout, I would almost have to say bluegills are a close second on the flyrod... they just put up a lot of fight for thier size and once you start catching them, it usually doesn't stop.

[smallmouthjoe]

I would say that besides catching smallmouth, catching bluegill, on any tackle, is my favorite. Mainly because you can catch thirty of them standing in one spot. Great fish, even with its popularity I still don't think it get enough credit.

[ltomczyk]

I was a Table Rock the previous Saturday, 25th. While my buddy was targeting the "5-pounder" bass, I had my 3-weight Fenwick fly rod searching for perch. I didn't catch 30 like you, but caught my fair share with a white floating spider. For me, smalls and gills on the fly rod are about as good as it gets.

[smallmouthjoe]

I went back today and couldn't find a single one. I caught a few orangespots and greens but was unable to track down the bluegill. Even broke down and used a spinning rod and small tubes around docks. Here today gone tomorrow.