anybody catchin bluegills on tablerock

[CO woodsman]

I live in Colorado and my friends and I pick a fishing destination every year, well this year we are comin to your neck of the woods. I grew up bass fishin in Illinois, but i love the taste of those lil blugills. Anybody catchin bluegills on the lake lately, if so how are the size and at what depths???????

[Sam]

I'd guess bluegills aren't fished for much on Tablerock.

Sometimes for fun I'll go along a chunk-rock bank throwing a little Roostertail in front of the boat. You'll get bites on every cast, and sometimes catch some bluegills or black perch (green sunfish) big enough to keep.

I put an 8" mark on the butt of my light rod, and if they measure 8" they go in the skillet. GOOD little filets.

But the big bluegills usually hang out in deep water, and they're hard to find. Sometimes you'll see them surfacing out there and can catch a few, but that's rare. They ought to be on the beds back in coves about now, though - so that's a possibility for your trip.

[Wayne SW/MO]

TR is one of the few lakes to have a good population of Rock Bass, A.K.A. Goggle eye, and they are no slouch in the pan either.

[Hunter91]

About the start of June or after the fish are done spawning, we fish out off gravel points in about 30ft of water with crickets. We catch a lot of 7-10 inch bluegill. I don't think they get much pressure on the lake.

[Phil Lilley]

Right on! June is excellent fishing for BIG bluegill on TR. We fish the dam area- gravel points in 15-25 feet of water on the bottom using crickets or night crawlers. We use trout rods and 4 lb line but you better be ready for something big... bass, white bass even catfish. I've been broke off more than I'd like to admit.

[CO woodsman]

Well from how I remember when Dad and I went out to fish for bluegill we fished a cricket or wax worm only 1-3 ft off a cork with a lil weight. You guys got me confused on how to fish for them at 15 to 25 ft. At those depths what is the presentation???

Yes I do remember how those rock bass taste (used to catch the heck out of them at Lake Murphiesburo in Illinois). My trip starts out their on June the 3rd and I am soo excited to get back to my fishing roots. By the time I get out their will the Crappie be done, how are you guys doin on the crappie?? By the way if you guys ever get a itch to come out to colorado and get a fly pole bent in half on some good Bow's and Browns, give me a holla and I'll do my best with the info. Thanks for the comments guys, your the best.

[CO woodsman]

OH one more question for you guys, we are not confined to only TR for fishing on this trip so if you guys can add another lake or pond (in the area) for some good bluegill or crappie on the first week of June I would sure appreciate it. Thanks again

[Hunter91]

On the bluegill we use a split shot about 12inches above the hook and just vertical fish or "tightline" and feel the bite. Tons of fun and I love those bluegill fillets also.

[CO woodsman]

Tightline, yes i think i can pull that presentation off. Thanks for the help HUnter91.

[Sam]

On the bluegill we use a split shot about 12inches above the hook and just vertical fish or "tightline" and feel the bite. Tons of fun and I love those bluegill fillets also.

Last time I tried that presentation with nightcrawlers, I was out of Bridgeport with my two daughters.

Just a short ways down the lake to the left from the launch ramp, a big power line crosses the lake. In that area you'll scope a "hump" going across the lake, and there's the remains of a concrete bridge support on the west bank. I think it's an old roadbed that crossed the James River before the lake was built.

Fishing nightcrawlers that way on the bottom, with the boat drifting, we got a bunch of big bluegills. We also got three limits of channel cats about 14" long, good eating size.