I took the kayak and fly rods and headed to Buescher State Park on Friday. I was hoping to find some big bluegill moving shallow. I did find some bluegill shallow and the males were showing their bright red breast they bear during the spawn. But even better, I found some big female red ear sunfish in the shallows.

Alan Prater, one of Hook-Line&Sinkers Youtube subscribers, sent us some flies to test. The fly is a rubber legged dragon variant he calls the Loc-jaw. It has been an incredible pattern that has produced a lot of big bluegill and sunfish. Here is a link to tying the fly pattern that Ben made and posted.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58PFGj2VK7s

I tied on one of the flies and headed to my favorite spot on the lake. On my first cast I caught a 1 lb. / 10.5 inch redear. I had it officially weighed and will submit an application for a new lake record.

I fished for about 3 hours and ended up catching 15 to 20 redear, 10 to 15 bluegill and a couple of bass. It was a special day as I don't often find big redear in shallow water and readily taking a fly.

Nice post J-Moe and some super fish. Good job sir.

Congrats on the pending record J-Moe! That first photo reminds me of so many good days fishing, and feeling like I'm the first one out on the lake or river.

Nice post and fish Jamie!


Huge Congratulations on yet another record! Love those BIG TROPHY size Redear!

Slabs congrats j-moe never been to buescher thought about it tho looks like i'll have too try it out

Thanks for all the comments. The lake gets very little pressure. About 80% of it is heavily tree lined so there is very little bank fishing access. There are no motor boats allowed. It is a great little kayak lake with plenty of big bass and sunfish. It is one of my favorite places to fish.

Favorite spots are GREAT to have!




Side Note: You never have to few!

Nice fish J-Moe. That Redear is a "FATTY"! Congratulations on your record fish!

Jamie, those look like bluegills, I don't see a redear in those pics. Redear have more elongated, streamlined bodies while bluegill have shorter but taller bodies.

Thanks Laker One

The second picture is definitely a bluegill. The pictures are poor but I don't believe the other 2 are pure bluegill, if they aren't red ear. I'll submit the application and see what they say. I've caught both in the lake so I know there are pure species in there. Thanks for the insight.

Pretty fish!

Here is a slightly better picture. You can see the red outline on the ear.

The distinguished red ear marking is on the males while the females usually have an orange or faded orange ear.

great Pics my friend!!1

Thanks Alan

Thanks Chuck, that's interesting information.