On the surface, bluegill fishing seem easy; you drop a worm down and wait to get bit. But it’s not always so cut and dry. While one guy can catch a bunch of fish fast, another will sit there for hours before getting a bite.
The reason? Knowing what kind of bluegill you’re after make all the difference. Is it big or small?
What is it around? A lot of guys lump all bluegill together when it comes to fishing. All bluegill are not the same, however.
The larger the gills is, the more different they will act and where they tend to set up. Knowing this allow you to fish them with a purpose. Instead of wondering where to look for them, you begin to know exacty where to look.
How To Catch Small And Large Bluegill
Targeting Small Bluegill
Bluegill, Small bluegill holds around vegetation and shallow water. They often hold in depths of under three feet, around lily pads for example. Growing and feeding frequent.
Here a chunk of night crawler on a simple bobber is money. No need to get fancy. Just lob it out there by the cover and see what happens.
It’s quick action that will keep young angler engaged.
Techniques for Big Bluegill
Big bluegill are more like bass. They goes out deeper and is more particular about what they eat.
The big ones will hold close to structure or a drop off. Most of the time that is going to be in six to ten feet of water. They don’t sit there waiting on food either.
They looks at your lure, check it out good and then sometimes spit it out. If it doesn’t look right they won’t even eat it. It take an exact presentation with these big fish.
A subtle lure and a little tiny hook are more effective than something big most times. Bigger fish is found in structure. Watch for any rock outcroppings, fallen timber, or brush piles that offers protection from predators.
Use a bottom bounce rig with a small jighead and a worm segment for this scenario. Let your bait fall then twitch it gently. That imitates a little critter crawling across the bottom.
Big bluegill aren’t quick bites. They’ll make you wait while they figure out if they want to eat your offering. Big and small bluegill reacts differently to vegetation.
The little ones is in the middle of weeds while the big gills hangs out just outside. That matter when you make casts. Cast past and you’ll miss the fish.
Cast into the weeds and you might get hung up. Try to throw right on edge next to the weed line. Fish use that edge as a highway to hunt along the cover without getting trapped.
Seasonal Location Changes
Bluegill also change location with the seasons. They’re shallow in the spring when spawning. You can catch them shallow on topwaters then.
Then they’ll spread out and get in deeper, cooler water in the summer. They’ll load up and gets fat in the fall. And they’ll get down in the deepest, warmest water during the winter.
So knowing what season it is lets you anticipate where the fish should of been. Is this a channel deal? Or is it going to be shallow stuff like weeds?
Choosing Proper Tackle
Choose your tackle. Bluegill are not strong enough to pull on a heavy bass rod. I suggest using 4 or 6 pound test line and a medium or light action rod.
This make it easy for the fish to take your bait. Also, you will be able to detect those slight bites better with lighter tackle. Having the proper equipment will help you catch more fish.
Bluegill fishing is a matter of reading the water. Edges of cover and structure will holds fish. Consider the depth and time of year.
Large bluegill in deep water aren’t going to act like small bluegill in shallow water. Adjusting your approach based off what type of fish you’re trying to catch will lead to more fish. There’s no shortage of fish, it’s simply a matter of finding them and putting your offering where they want it.
