Hit the creeks again this weekend. Caught a lot and some big ones!! Need to take a measuring tape next time and a better camera. Some of these had to be 10". Bigger than "hand size" for sure. The fried bluegill thread inspired me so we kept a few for the pan. Shoulda taken a pic of the finished product but it didn't last very long one it was cooked!!

Anyways I like to learn from you guys what they are:

Bluegill?



Bluegill hybrid? Maybe bluegill x green sunfish?



Bluegill with a little longer "ear" or hybrid?


Bluegill x green sunfish?


Bluegill x ???


All caught in about 5ft on bottom and with corks using worms.

Thanks for looking. Me and my oldest are going back this weekend better equipped with a ruler, scales, and a better camera.

Those are really impressive, all of them!

Most, if not all, appear to be bluegills to me: body shape, blue operculum, their flaps are rather oval.

If any are hybrids, I'd have to guess that green sunfish might play a small role in their genetics.

You know how they now determine the percentage of Florida bass strain alleles in Texas bass populations? Wouldn't it be great to see such a study of panfish to see how pure they are. My guess is there are some rather pure strains, likely not totally so, then some hybridized panfish where territories cross allowing it to happen.

Likely, such a study will never occur unless some poor Ph.D candidate is in need of a dissertation topic.

More pics!!!

Brad

Thanks will take better pics this weekend. Thought my phone camera was a little better than it is, pics are foggy and don't show detail like I hoped. Caught a bunch of small bass up to 15 inches too, almost annoying at times when targeting perch, but still better than not catching. Better quality fish on this trip than any I can remember lately so we're heading back soon.

To me photo #1 is all Bluegill. The rest are Hybrids with Bluegill and Green mix. Just my two cents.




Side Note: A lot of cross breeding has been going on in the sunfish family over the last several years especially in ponds and creeks. Been seeing a lot more hybrid mixes the last few years.

Plus #1. You are right on all of your I.D.'s Blues. Photo #1 is a Bluegill and the rest are Bluegill Hybrid mix. I would say Bluegill/Green mix.

I agree Gitter Done. Where I fish hybrids seem to be the norm with some pure bluegill like pic one mixed in.

I say slabs slabs and moe slabs

Nice fish Blues! Like the Wildman of the navidad says! Slabs,slabs,and moe slabs! Good job.

That 3rd one, if it was any bigger, it would be called a tittie bream.

Me and the boy are headed out before daylight tomorrow to catch some more big gills!!!! I'm giddy as my son is about it. What is it about catching big gills that gets us so excited? I could hook up to the center console and go chase big bluecat easier than driving to this spot to bank fish for perch....


Taking a better camera and a ruler, we want to see if we can catch some over 10".

I think the "what is it about catching big gills" is at least in part owing to the fact that we can almost always put some fish in the boat or on the bank. Then, it morphs from being fun to being super fun if we can target and catch really big ones.

Mentally, I sort of "up" my feeling of gamesmanship, at least in my own mind, by sticking to artificial baits and using game fishing techniques.

On the other hand, I have absolutely no issues with those who use bobbers and worms and cane poles.

Brad

I agree. Beetle spins and small curly tails are making the trip. Worms as a back up

Nice fish!