Monster bluegills

[ShadTaxi]

Does anybody have any tips on catching big bluegills? The biggest that I have caught is only about 8".

[Mr.Seaguar]

Fish somewhere with monster blugills. Use small hooks with as little terminal tackle as possible. PM me if you get anything over 11".

[yarcraft91]

Farm pond, fly rod, rubber spiders. Caught stringers of 12" 'gills on ours.

[twobearlake]

I agree that the best chance at large panfish is on small, private lakes/ponds (just look at where most of the state records come from). All of the lakes around me that had good populations of nice sized panfish were quickly fished out - the word spreads quickly when a particular lake is hot with large panfish.

However, if you do not have access to a private pond/lake, my two suggestions would be:

1) Try to fish just before or after the spawn (I personally am not a fan of pulling fish off their nests). The larger bluegill will stage just off the spawning areas and you can catch them there.

2) I have had the best fishing for large bluegill fishing the deepest weedline in the lake. I think the larger bluegills tend to sit in deeper water and are further from the schools of smaller bluegill (I have often caught them when fishing for bass). If you are catching 6-9" fish, try and pull out to deeper water and look for a weedline.

I also agree with light tackle and no terminal tackle. On pressured lakes, the large bluegill are large because they have been "smarter" and have not been caught and beer-battered. I will also drop-shot for them with 2" Gulp minnows and 1/16-1/8 oz weights.

Final thought: A 12+" bluegill is a real bull and took a fairly long time to get to that length (at least in MN). I release all bluegill over 10" on the couple lakes I target panfish on. That's just my opinion, but I wish more people agreed because the fishing would be a lot better for bigger panfish.

TB

[ShadTaxi]

I agree that the best chance at large panfish is on small, private lakes/ponds (just look at where most of the state records come from). All of the lakes around me that had good populations of nice sized panfish were quickly fished out - the word spreads quickly when a particular lake is hot with large panfish.

However, if you do not have access to a private pond/lake, my two suggestions would be:

1) Try to fish just before or after the spawn (I personally am not a fan of pulling fish off their nests). The larger bluegill will stage just off the spawning areas and you can catch them there.

2) I have had the best fishing for large bluegill fishing the deepest weedline in the lake. I think the larger bluegills tend to sit in deeper water and are further from the schools of smaller bluegill (I have often caught them when fishing for bass). If you are catching 6-9" fish, try and pull out to deeper water and look for a weedline.

I also agree with light tackle and no terminal tackle. On pressured lakes, the large bluegill are large because they have been "smarter" and have not been caught and beer-battered. I will also drop-shot for them with 2" Gulp minnows and 1/16-1/8 oz weights.

Final thought: A 12+" bluegill is a real bull and took a fairly long time to get to that length (at least in MN). I release all bluegill over 10" on the couple lakes I target panfish on. That's just my opinion, but I wish more people agreed because the fishing would be a lot better for bigger panfish.

TB

Thanks for the tips. I don't know if I will ever get a 12". But I am hoping to get plenty of 8 - 10"ers. I might be OK as the lake that I fish has the state record.

[karpbuster]

Thanks for the tips. I don't know if I will ever get a 12". But I am hoping to get plenty of 8 - 10"ers. I might be OK as the lake that I fish has the state record.
They have some hogs at Shady Lakes, and the beds are right there in plain view.

For some $ they would probably net them for you. LOL

karpbuster

[zenz8301]

Please click one of the Quick Reply icons in the posts above to activate Quick Reply.

[Suzuki]

unpressured water is the key. As soon as the word gets out on public water the public annihilates them.

[ShadTaxi]

They have some hogs at Shady Lakes, and the beds are right there in plain view.

For some $ they would probably net them for you. LOL

karpbuster

Awe come on Karp. I have seen you with some pictures of monster crappie. If crappie were Lepomis I would be fishing for them. :huh: No tips from the crappie king?

[ShadTaxi]

Has anybody trolled for bluegills? Does this work?

[capnlee]

I've caught them trolling, but usually by accident. It is amazing what they will hit. Here's a pic of a green sunfish (genus lepomis) that hit a Reef Runner nearly as big as it was. I have had a blast catching them on a fly rod with a top water popper, and good old earthworms are hard to beat.

[westside]

I've had most of my luck on the big ones while slipbobbering for smallies and eyes. The big 'uns (in my main lake) seem to prefer the deep weed edges and and even mid-lake humps that top out at 13-18 fow.

Have caught a few trolling but consider them to be highly incindental. Slow drifting on the other had can be really deadly. As mentioned before, just keep it simple. My top choice would be a Cubby Mite, tiped with a chunk of crawler.

[karpbuster]

Awe come on Karp. I have seen you with some pictures of monster crappie. If crappie were Lepomis I would be fishing for them. :huh: No tips from the crappie king?
Crappie King? LOL I do like crappie fishing. I use to target Bluegill at Cochiti Lake. And one year, way back when, I found spawning gills that were the size of a dinner plate, they would suck down an 1/8 oz jig no problem, they have small mouths doncha know. They were in 10-15' of water on a flat with brush around, sandy bottom, near a drop off. They were also above the dig out for rip rap, the water was very high this year, same exact deal 10-15', flat sandy, next to a drop off. I also had a bluegill cove that always held them, the last time I went to Cochiti, it was no more.

So I would target coves or flats with cover, sandy bottoms and near drop offs. Small jigs to locate (white curly tail 1" or 2") or maribou crappie jigs (1/16oz or 1/32oz). Once you find them crickets, worms, when they grow tired of the jig. I know of a good bluegill spot on Ute in Brushy Cove. At EB the Dam Site ramp (above in the back of the tree line) or Hospital Creek canyon, back of. Rock Canyon, back of the cove there are some rocks with sandy flats.

Bluegill are everywhere, big ones can be hard to find, have to just keep looking. Also if you find some gills search for bigger fish deeper. Docks are good too. Get yourself an UL spin rod reel with 4# line.

karpbuster "The Crappie King"

:)

P.S. New fav crappie body is the Finn-S in Arkansas shiner

http://www.lunkercity.com/

[ShadTaxi]

I've caught them trolling, but usually by accident. It is amazing what they will hit. Here's a pic of a green sunfish (genus lepomis) that hit a Reef Runner nearly as big as it was. I have had a blast catching them on a fly rod with a top water popper, and good old earthworms are hard to beat.

Yep. That's a nice one. I am looking to catch that size on up. I'll have to try the popper. That could be fun. I don't have a fly rod. Maybe I will get one if that is what it takes.

[ShadTaxi]

Crappie King? LOL I do like crappie fishing. I use to target Bluegill at Cochiti Lake. And one year, way back when, I found spawning gills that were the size of a dinner plate, they would suck down an 1/8 oz jig no problem, they have small mouths doncha know. They were in 10-15' of water on a flat with brush around, sandy bottom, near a drop off. They were also above the dig out for rip rap, the water was very high this year, same exact deal 10-15', flat sandy, next to a drop off. I also had a bluegill cove that always held them, the last time I went to Cochiti, it was no more.

So I would target coves or flats with cover, sandy bottoms and near drop offs. Small jigs to locate (white curly tail 1" or 2") or maribou crappie jigs (1/16oz or 1/32oz). Once you find them crickets, worms, when they grow tired of the jig. I know of a good bluegill spot on Ute in Brushy Cove. At EB the Dam Site ramp (above in the back of the tree line) or Hospital Creek canyon, back of. Rock Canyon, back of the cove there are some rocks with sandy flats.

Bluegill are everywhere, big ones can be hard to find, have to just keep looking. Also if you find some gills search for bigger fish deeper. Docks are good too. Get yourself an UL spin rod reel with 4# line.

karpbuster "The Crappie King"

:)

P.S. New fav crappie body is the Finn-S in Arkansas shiner

http://www.lunkercity.com/

Thanks for the tips. I will have to give those places a shot. I did get an ultralight combo to try out. My bet is that I break the line on the hookset:D

If those places are fished out next time, you will know that I caught them all:) Those dang stripers are just plain hungry.

[karpbuster]

Thanks for the tips. I will have to give those places a shot. I did get an ultralight combo to try out. My bet is that I break the line on the hookset:D

If those places are fished out next time, you will know that I caught them all:) Those dang stripers are just plain hungry.
LOL. Well get Berkley Trilene XL 4#, it won't break too easy.

I don't target Bluegills any more ... so its OK, leave some for seed though.

karpbuster

[cspierings]

Up here is WI we are getting closer and closer to the time of the year that the really nice bluegills end up suspending over the main lake basin. I will second the earlier post about the cubby mite while drifting. In fact I often do it with a crappie minnow and whether I get a crappie or bluegills I don't really care because they are all fun.

[ShadTaxi]

LOL. Well get Berkley Trilene XL 4#, it won't break too easy.

I don't target Bluegills any more ... so its OK, leave some for seed though.

karpbuster

I drove up to Cabelas and caught an 8" bluegill. Here is the picture:

http://www.stormlures.com/products/luresdetail.cfm?modelName=kickin_slab&freshorsalt=Both&type=hybrid_lures

I dunno if it will work, but it could be worth a shot.

[ShadTaxi]

Fish somewhere with monster blugills. Use small hooks with as little terminal tackle as possible. PM me if you get anything over 11".

Lake Havasu has some monster gills with 15 - 20 feet of water clarity. I didn't fish as I was enjoying the "scenery". Them Arizona boys are holding out on us again.

[Phil T]

I'll agree with an earlier posting that top water bugs on a fly rod is the most fun. However, I also agree that the better bluegills are found deeper. I fly fish for bluegills with weighted nymphs. We just returned from a short vacation near Park Rapids where both my wife and I caught bull bluegills and a couple largemouth bass with weighted nymphs.

[karpbuster]

I drove up to Cabelas and caught an 8" bluegill. Here is the picture:

http://www.stormlures.com/products/luresdetail.cfm?modelName=kickin_slab&freshorsalt=Both&type=hybrid_lures

I dunno if it will work, but it could be worth a shot.
Looks like a crappie to me. Should work really good, crappie are food for black bass, striper, walleye, karpbuster you name it. :)

karpbuster

[ksx3]

What you do is fish with someone who knows the big fish lakes, knows where to find them and knows how to catch them.;)

[ShadTaxi]

What you do is fish with someone who knows the big fish lakes, knows where to find them and knows how to catch them.;)

Nice. Very very nice. Those are what I am after. Did you catch all of those in one day? Can you do that well on average? Care to give some tips? Wanna go striper/bluegill fishing next May? You definitely are the bluegill king!

I am catching the numbers but I am a good 3 - 4" short on the size.

[karpbuster]

Did you see the ABQJOURNAL Fishing Line today? Bluegill, bluegill ... and Bluegill. LOL

karpbuster

[SS-Slayer]

I am by no means a blue gill expert (or any other for that matter!), but do catch some big ones pretty often in a heavily fished public lake. One of my favorite methods is a #8 hook with a split shot or two about 18" above the hook. I use good fresh worms and simply drift fish at or just above bottom. I had a realy nice 10" gill slam it on Sunday. Only really big one that day but have done quite well on others.

Good luck
Rick

[ShadTaxi]

Did you see the ABQJOURNAL Fishing Line today? Bluegill, bluegill ... and Bluegill. LOL

karpbuster

Karp:

No I did not. What did it say?

[karpbuster]

Here is what it said (look at Shady, EB, Cochiti) the hot spot is Heron for Kokanee:

CATCHES of the WEEK: On the Rio Chama below El Vado, Saturday, about 2 1/2 miles downriver from Cooper's Cabins, Matthew McLean of Albuquerque caught a 23 1/2-inch, 6-pound brown, 14-inch girth, on a deep-diving, orange shad Rapala. — At Nambe Pueblo Lake, Saturday, Ralph Tapia of Santa Fe caught a 21-inch, 3-pound, 5-ounce rainbow trout on a Kastmaster. — . At Heron Lake: On Sunday, Bob Lerner of Santa Fe caught an 18 1/2-inch kokanee salmon trolling a Double Whammy at 22 feet. On Monday: Jessica Lopez of Albuquerque caught an 18¾-inch kokanee trolling a silver Double Whammy at 25 feet. Joe Stewart of Los Alamos caught an 18¼-inch kokanee trolling a Double Whammy at 15 feet. The three Heron Lake anglers were guided by Don Wolfley, Heron Lake Guide Service out of Stone House Lodge — At Sumner Lake, Gary Smith of Sumner Lake caught a 5-pound, 13-ounce largemouth bass. — At Shady Lakes on Saturday: Andre Segura, 17, of Albuquerque landed a 21-inch rainbow on a black Bunny Leech. Mason Gallegos, 15, of Albuquerque caught a 20 1/2-inch rainbow on a yellow Rooster Tail.
...From Bill Dunn's Report for N.M. Game & Fish: Saturday at Fenton Lake, Jacob Quintana, 14, of Albuquerque caught a 32-inch German brown on a Panther Martin
AROUND THE STATE
NAVAJO LAKE: For June 20-26. Good for smallmouth at Frances Canyon and the San Juan Arm with crankbaits and soft baits. Slow for kokanee at Frances Canyon and the San Juan Arm. A few caught at 20 to 30 feet. Slow for crappie with jigs and minnows at La Jara, Negro Andy and Frances Canyons. Good for northern pike on crankbaits and worms at San Juan, Frances and Pine River Canyons. Fair for bluegill with worms in La Jara Canyon.
Richard Utton, boat officer, Navajo Lake State Park
SAN JUAN RIVER: As of Monday. Flowing at 500 cubic feet a second and clear to about 3 feet (same as reported last week). Quality Water has been fair for most anglers for catch-and-release of 6- to 20-inch trout, mostly rainbows. Some of the best patterns this week have been Zebra Midges, gray Johnny Flash flies, chocolate or gray Foam-Wing Emergers, cream-color UFOs and Beadhead Red Larva. Lots of dry fly action, especially with Dead Chickens, Black Ants, gray Hoppers or Parachute Adams. The regular water fished good for a mix of rainbows and browns, most under 12 inches; best reports on the flies listed above plus salmon eggs or night crawlers.
Peggy Harrell at Abe's
JICARILLA LAKES: MUNDO LAKE has been fishing fair for rainbows with bait. Catch rates appear to be in the 1 to 2 fish per hour range — with PowerBait, worms and salmon eggs. Fishing bait on the bottom will result in occasional "weed fish" this time of year. Fishing with flies continues to be the most productive method. Catch rates are around 5 to 6 fish per hour and float tubers have had very high success rates. Best flies reported have been beadhead nymphs including Prince and Hare's Ear, Woolly Buggers (black, purple and olive) and several dry flies including Parachute Adams. Largemouth have been hitting well near shore, especially in weedy, hard-to-get-at areas. Weedless grubs, lures and flies are the key for bass right now, and spinnerbaits in purple have been reported. It's hit or miss for channel catfish, but the fishing is considered good. Best action reported by night anglers using liver. ENBOM is still weedy and we are having issues getting our weed harvester to the lake. Several anglers have had success using a float tube or small boat to access small open water areas on the south side. Flies are the best bet now. Fish hit the surface throughout the day and hits increase in the evening. STONE LAKE is a lonely fishing place. The algae bloom is persisting in areas but has not engulfed the entire lake. We had one report of an angler catching one fish in five hours. My guess is that the trout are holding deep (+ 12 feet) in the cooler water and feeding on damselflies as they migrate to the shoreline. The NAVAJO RIVER, looking good with relatively clear water, has very little fishing pressure. The average rainbow is around 10 to 15 inches and the rarely-caught browns can be over 20 inches. This week, we announce the opening of the P.A.S.S. Boat and Tackle Shop at Mundo Lake — run by the local Higher Education "Planning Ahead for Student Success" program. They will rent 12-foot jon boats with trolling motors and sell tackle, fishing permits, snacks and drinks. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. For details or to make a reservation, call (505) 860-8403.
Kevin Terry, fisheries biologist, Jicarilla Game and Fish
HERON LAKE: As of Monday. Excellent trolling for limits of fat, 15- to 18-inch kokanee salmon. Best on Double Whammies baited with corn at 15 to 32 feet. Limits are being caught in the morning and afternoon — with best reports from morning fishing. Occasional rainbows caught trolling; slow for rainbows from the bank.
Norma Wolfley at Stone House Lodge
RIO CHAMA below EL VADO: As of Tuesday. Flow rate was raised for weekend rafting to 600 cfs until Sunday noon, then reduced to 200 cfs and is still at 200 cfs. The river is a murky green. Fair to good for rainbows to 16 inches and browns to 17 inches — plus one bigger brown at 23 1/2 inches (see Catches of the Week above). Best reports on Panther Martins, Mepps spinners, PowerBait, worms and salmon eggs.
David Cooper, El Vado Guest Ranch
FENTON LAKE: As of Tuesday. Good from the bank and boats, mostly for 9- to 10-inch stocker rainbows. Best reports on PowerBait, wax worms and garlic salmon eggs.
Kevin Kennedy, seasonal employee at the park
ISLETA LAKES: Recently stocked with catfish ranging in size from 18 to 26 inches. Excellent catch rates reported by anglers — most success on stink bait, worms and chicken liver. The annual fishing derby here will be June 29 through Aug. 2.
Jonathan Tompkins, Aquatic Consultants, for Isleta Lakes
SHADY LAKES: As of Tuesday. Numerous 15- to 18-inch trout have been taken, but the Big Trout Pond is definitely not fished out. In our Easy-Catch Trout Pond, the average size remains at 11 to 12 inches — with most taken on night crawlers, salmon eggs and light-colored PowerBaits. Two nice rainbows at 21 and 20 1/2 inches caught; see Catches of the Week above. Bluegill reports have increased in our Catch and Release Ponds, predominantly responding to worms and salmon eggs. Largemouth bass have slowed somewhat, but moderate activity continues to be reported on Strike King artificial worms. No catfish reports this week — most Shady Lakes fishermen focus on trout, bass and bluegill.
Jan Phillips, director, Shady Lakes
SANDIA PUEBLO LAKES: As of Tuesday. The lakes have recently been stocked with catfish ranging in size from 18 to 26 inches. Excellent catch rates are continually reported by anglers with most success on stink bait, worms and chicken liver.
Michael Bridges, manager, Sandia Lakes Recreation Area
NAMBE PUEBLO: As of Monday. Fishing for rainbow trout averaging 14 inches has been fair with corn-flavored, rainbow and green PowerBait. Our roads 2, 3 and 5 appear to be the hot spots for fishing from the bank. A 21-inch rainbow was caught on Saturday (June 18); see Catches of the Week above. For more information, call (505) 455-2304.
Joe Vigil, head ranger
SANTA CRUZ LAKE: Slow from the bank, fair from boats for 11-inch-average rainbows. Best reports from boaters on Dardevles Panther Martins and Pistol Petes plus trolling Christmas tree-worm rigs. Best reports from the bank on Panther Martins and salmon eggs.
Gerald Martinez, Bureau of Land Management at the lake
PECOS RIVER above PECOS: As of Monday. Rain all day Saturday; cleared on Sunday. The Willow Fly Hatch has reached Tererro. Good for rainbows, several to 18 inches caught this week. Best results on Stimulators, grasshoppers and worms.
Sherry Ley, The General Store, Tererro
NOTES from GAME & FISH: As of Tuesday, except where indicated otherwise. RIO GRANDE flow Monday morning at Taos Junction Bridge was 852 cfs (was 1,760 cfs last week). Trout fishing was fair using night crawlers, spinners, spoons, Woolly Buggers, San Juan Worms and salmon eggs. Fair using flies, swimbaits and jerkbaits for northern pike. No reports on smallmouth. RED RIVER flow below the hatchery was 128 cfs (was 168 cfs last week). Trout fishing here and on the Forks was good using PowerBait, spinners, salmon eggs, night crawlers, Stimulators, streamers and Copper John Barrs. Flow of the CIMARRON RIVER below Eagle Nest Lake on Monday was 26 cfs (was 23 cfs last week). Trout fishing was very good using worms, spinners, salmon eggs, San Juan Worms, caddis and Copper John Barrs. Fishing at the Gravel Pit Lakes was slow to fair using PowerBait and Pistol Petes. Fishing at ELEPHANT BUTTE was good using grubs, Sassy Shads, crankbaits, topwater lures and minnows for white bass. We had good reports from McRae Canyon, near Kettle Top, Rock Canyon, Long Point and the Black Bluffs. Fair to good using swimbaits, white, green and chartreuse tubes and grubs, crankbaits, night crawlers and craws for walleye. Slow to fair using minnows and jigs for crappie. Fair using topwater lures, jerkbaits, tubes, lizards, Brush Hogs and Senkos for largemouth and smallmouth. Fair using live bait, umbrella rigs and jigs for striped bass. Fair to good using liver, shrimp and minnows over baited holes for catfish. Fair using worms for bluegill. Good at COCHITI LAKE using worms, poppers and Woolly Buggers for bluegill. The bluegill were on the beds and anglers fishing for them also picked up a few smallmouth and largemouth. Fair using white Bombers, swimbaits, chatterbaits and spinnerbaits for northern pike. Good using liver, doughbaits and night crawlers for catfish. Fair at BLUEWATER LAKE using flies, swimbaits, spinnerbaits and jerkbaits for tiger muskies to 40 inches. A few catfish taken by anglers using liver and shrimp. Slow for trout. Fair to good at GRINDSTONE RESERVOIR using salmon eggs, PowerBait, spoons and Pistol Petes. At TINGLEY BEACH, Albuquerque, good at Youth and Central Ponds using worms for bluegill. Good using worms, PowerBait, gold spoons, Pistol Petes and salmon eggs for trout. Good using stink bait and shlrimp for catfish. Fishing at the Catch-and-Release Pond was good using Dead Chickens, Ants, Mosquitoes, small streamers and UFOs.
Bill Dunn's Report for the Department of Game and Fish
EAGLE NEST LAKE: .As of Monday. Pretty good most days for 16-inch kokanee and 14-inch rainbows trolling at 10 to 12 feet for both — using a Christmas tree with a Double Whammy or Kokanee Killer with worm, corn or PowerBait ... or a ⅛-ounce weight and a Panther Martin or Z-Ray with or without a worm, corn or PowerBait. Also good for rainbows from the west bank or from boats with PowerBait. A little slow lately for perch — try worms from the west side or anchored boats.
Sue Finley, Mountain View Cabins
SPRINGER AREA: As of Tuesday. Some 16- to 24-inch catfish caught at SPRINGER LAKE on cut bait. A few northern pike taken on red-white Mepps and Dardevles. At MAXWELL No. 13, a few 14- to 20-inch rainbows caught on PowerBait. Improving at CHARETTE for 9- to 16-inch rainbows on PowerBait and worm-under-bobber rigs— and casting Panther Martins and Kastmasters.
Jim Angel, Sky Chief in Springer
MALOYA and LAKE ALICE: As of Tuesday. Very good at MALOYA, mostly for stocker rainbows, some bigger to 5 pounds, on pink, green and sherbet PowerBait. Best for browns, some to 5 pounds, on green lures. Good at LAKE ALICE for stocker rainbows on PowerBait and flies.
Louella Haber, park ranger
CLAYTON LAKE: As of Monday. Quite a few trout caught, plus a few mudcats. Limits of rainbows primarily caught on Colorado Spoons or pink PowerBait — most of the rainbows in the 12- to 16-inch range, some to 18 inches.
Deanne Knotts. Knotts Sportsman Supply in Clayton

SUMNER LAKE: As of Tuesday. At a "Melrose 4-H" bass tournament Saturday, 35 teams caught a total of 53 pounds of bass. Also, one bass at 5-plus pounds was caught — see Catches of the Week above. Good reports on walleye fishing with chartreuse shad and curly-tail lures. Very good for catfish on worms. Poor fishing below the dam. A few reports of white and black bass being caught on spinnerbaits.
Derek Drew, boat officer at the state park