Blue Gill Fishing

[Cpt_DJ]

I enjoy fishing for Bluegills also, especially those slabs. I have fished Table Rock and Stockton for these with my daughter since she was 4. She is 19 now and each year has asked when we are going bluegilling. I am not an expert on them, but will share what info I have. Bluegills, like largemouth, are of the same family. If you know this, you know that they both are ambush feeders and like shade. A bright sunny day seems to work best for me, and from June through late August they can be found around bridge pilings, shady bluffs, or docks. I use nightcrawlers, or worms, on a fairly small hook. The larger fish will be under the smaller ones and you may have to get the bait through the group of smaller fish to the bigger fish by using another split shot. The little guys are fast! It is neat when they run in circles bringing them up from 10-15'. I have had my best luck on Table Rock around docks. I have a friend who owns 3 large docks that run way out away from the bank, but usually the 1st 3-4 stalls will hold the better fish just under the floats. If you can get permission to get on the dock, like I do, you can walk around from stall to stall and have a mess of good-uns pretty fast! Hope this helps.DJ

[Ozarkfisherman]

Fishing Ozark creeks can be great for 'gills, green sunfish (black perch), goggle-eye, and of course smallies. For catching these mixed bags I like to use an ultralight spin rig with small spinners, size 0 or 1, Mepps or Rooster Tail or Panther Martin. You will, of course, catch lots of smaller ones, but I have caught all sorts of larger fish on these while never losing interest because of the variety. Favorite places for this? Big Sugar and Indian Creeks, upper Elk River--wading during the week--stay away on weekends unless you go really early or late--way too much canoe traffic.

[LWW]

I've had a bunch of fish frys, but never any blue gill fry's. Aren't they somewhat bony. I always thought I would spend more time pickin at em then eating them. What's the best way to prepare a mess of blue gills?

[Cpt_DJ]

Filets!.......That is why the slabs are the better ones, because they are much easier to filet......get a 6" filet knife with as thin a blade as you can find....much easier this way and more enjoyable. Typically for my family, 25-30 fish will feed a family of 4 with some leftovers. I think they are just as good if not better than Walleye, certainly better than Crappie.

DJ

[LWW]

That's a bold statement better than crappie! I'll have to give it a shot. Can't see it being better than crappie though... makes me hungry just typing the word crappie.

LWW

[powerdive]

To me (a walleye fisherman), the bluegill is the best tasting fish in fresh water. Although I've gained a big-time appreciation for crappies since moving down here...

[Phil Lilley]

I agree - blue is the best tasting... for the work of cleaning the little things.

[vince]

ditto! gills are great eatting