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Bluegill Resolution #13803827 12/12/20 11:34 PM
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Curt0407 Online Content OP
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It's early for a New Years resolution, but here goes. I have really enjoyed the threads in this section and have seen some remarkable catches. I will be hitting the gills much more this coming season. I have access to a 60 acre private lake with a boat but have been spending most of the fishing time for bass. For the curious, type in Rock Falls lake in google maps.

That is going to change. This is a managed lake and has been stocked with copper nose gills for the last few years. There are a number of automatic fish feeders that really attract the big gills. I have already caught some pounder plus copper nose on my fly rod. This year I will break out the light tackle and start learning to use the micro jigs and mini spinners.

Thanks guys and gals for the inspiration. thumb

Re: Bluegill Resolution [Re: Curt0407] #13804040 12/13/20 03:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Curt0407
It's early for a New Years resolution, but here goes. I have really enjoyed the threads in this section and have seen some remarkable catches. I will be hitting the gills much more this coming season. I have access to a 60 acre private lake with a boat but have been spending most of the fishing time for bass. For the curious, type in Rock Falls lake in google maps.

That is going to change. This is a managed lake and has been stocked with copper nose gills for the last few years. There are a number of automatic fish feeders that really attract the big gills. I have already caught some pounder plus copper nose on my fly rod. This year I will break out the light tackle and start learning to use the micro jigs and mini spinners.

Thanks guys and gals for the inspiration. thumb





You will never regret one second of Sunfish fishing especially using light tackle. welcome to the ADDICTION! thumb


Side Note: Looking forward to seeing some Rock Falls Lake catches and post! cheers


[Linked Image][Linked Image]

IGFA World Record Rio Grande Cichlid. Lake Dunlap.

John 3:16

Sinner's Prayer. God forgive me a sinner. I accept Jesus Christ as my Savior !
Re: Bluegill Resolution [Re: Curt0407] #13804301 12/13/20 02:51 PM
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I have never fished for sunfish aka Bluegill, Redear, Redbreast, etc. until I came to Texas and met Chuck, Banker Always Fishing. My only regret is I did not start fishing for them much sooner. I am a true "Gill Buster"! As mentioned by BAF. welcome to the ADDICTION! hooked



Side Note: I got the DOUBLE ADDICTION. I target the sunfish using a fly rod also. A true BLAST! woot

Re: Bluegill Resolution [Re: Curt0407] #13804344 12/13/20 03:24 PM
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Vogey Online Content
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Curt...Ditto what Laker said...I started targeting sunfish mostly, around 5 years ago. I had been a bass guy exclusively b4 that. Sunfish are so much more than most people give them credit for, and the Coppernose may be the king. They get really big, are just plain beautiful & fight like crazy when using the proper ultra lite tackle. I have learned so much from the experts here in this section of the forum. These guys really know what they are doing...so welcome aboard...looking forward to hearing much more about your trips to Rock Falls. Also, post pics of your fish if you can...I just love seeing pictures of these awesome creatures...

Re: Bluegill Resolution [Re: Curt0407] #13804382 12/13/20 03:59 PM
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I just need to find tackle. I have the light rods and reels, but little or none of the mini jigs and spinners. I doubt my local Walmart will do me much good. I do plan on taking a lot of pics to share. Any advice on the size of jigs and spinners would be appreciated. I doubt that I will use many earthworms and will likely use mainly artificial baits..

Re: Bluegill Resolution [Re: Curt0407] #13804390 12/13/20 04:05 PM
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Man, when you start getting into the slabs on light tackle you will be addicted! Nothing like the thump! Don't worry about the bass, if you're like the rest of us you'll still get into them and a bass is a completely different fish on light tackle than that 15-20 lb line the hard core bass guys use. Get a 3 or 4 lb bass on 2-4 lb line and you have your work cut out for you.


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Re: Bluegill Resolution [Re: Curt0407] #13804392 12/13/20 04:08 PM
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Love it when anglers start a new chapter in their love for fishing. Looking forward to reading your post and seeing some of your catches. The anglers in this section are simply the BEST!

Re: Bluegill Resolution [Re: Curt0407] #13804460 12/13/20 04:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Curt0407
I just need to find tackle. I have the light rods and reels, but little or none of the mini jigs and spinners. I doubt my local Walmart will do me much good. I do plan on taking a lot of pics to share. Any advice on the size of jigs and spinners would be appreciated. I doubt that I will use many earthworms and will likely use mainly artificial baits..




I love the Shakespeare Ugly Stick Combos for sunfish. I use six pound test line, either size 6 or 8 hooks (I prefer the size 8 eagle claw) either cricket or short shaft hooks along with small size panfish weights. I also keep small floats handy. Of course I am geared for using worms as my bait. Nothing beats the fight of a nice size sunfish aka Bluegill, Redear, Redbreast, etc. on light tackle. You get the full fight of the fish no matter what size. The bigger the fish the bigger the fight most of the time. Casting a live Night Crawler or lure where you think a big sunny will be hanging out at is an awesome feeling especially when it hits. You will also be surprised of the other species of fish you will be catching. Yes Sir I love the "Sunfish/Bluegill Addiction"! rockon


Side Note: You will get some great advice on tackle to use from other anglers who post here. Targeting sunfish is easy, simple, fun fishing. As mentioned before, looking forward to reading your post on your fishing trips thumb


[Linked Image][Linked Image]

IGFA World Record Rio Grande Cichlid. Lake Dunlap.

John 3:16

Sinner's Prayer. God forgive me a sinner. I accept Jesus Christ as my Savior !
Re: Bluegill Resolution [Re: Curt0407] #13804637 12/13/20 07:18 PM
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Vogey Online Content
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Curt...There are a number of ways to target these guys. Laker & Pot Licker can detail jigs & spinner tactics, while Banker does his thing with live worms. I have pretty much evolved to using the Gulp Alive minnows (1") almost exclusively...fished on 4lb test fluorocarbon using the drop shot set up. Here are some details for your review... [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Re: Bluegill Resolution [Re: Curt0407] #13804649 12/13/20 07:35 PM
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Thanks Vogey. I appreciate the tips. I guess that you are bottom bouncing the drop shots. That may be difficult where I will be fishing due to the lake being 100 years old and it has a soft mucky bottom. I do plan on scoring some Gulp alive minnows, maybe to put on a jig head.

Re: Bluegill Resolution [Re: Curt0407] #13804683 12/13/20 08:00 PM
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Vogey Online Content
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Curt...I do fish these guys on the bottom, but often they hit it b4 it hits bottom. All I can say is experiment around until u find something that works...

Re: Bluegill Resolution [Re: Curt0407] #13804850 12/13/20 10:48 PM
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To whomever invented to spinshot, life well spent my friend.

Re: Bluegill Resolution [Re: Vogey] #13804855 12/13/20 10:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Vogey
Curt...There are a number of ways to target these guys. Laker & Pot Licker can detail jigs & spinner tactics, while Banker does his thing with live worms. I have pretty much evolved to using the Gulp Alive minnows (1") almost exclusively...fished on 4lb test fluorocarbon using the drop shot set up. Here are some details for your review... [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

You know Vogey, that fish really did not look to happy in the net. roflmao

Re: Bluegill Resolution [Re: Curt0407] #13805394 12/14/20 02:04 PM
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Small crank baits, various small spinner baits such as Rooster Tails (White, Chartreuse, Black, Red.) Little Georges, Soft plastics such as worms, small frogs, etc. and keep a jar of Gulp Alive Minnows and Leaches in the tackle box. I use light spinning tackle with four pound test line. Keep it simple and have fun. woot

Re: Bluegill Resolution [Re: Curt0407] #13805541 12/14/20 03:45 PM
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I use an Ultra Light- Fast spinning rod, Pfluger President Reel and 6 lb test (I used to use 4lb, but if I sneezed it would twist and tangle, it was like fishing with spider web). My two go to baits for big sunfish are a Matzuo Nano-Crank and a Strike King Bitsy Minnow. I caught my PB Bluegill on the Nano-Crank and my PB Long Ear Sunfish on the Bitsy Minnow. If those don't work I go to the Gulp Alive Minnows. I'm bad at drop shotting, so instead of Vogey's drop shot rig, I jig them on a 1/64 OZ Trout Magnet Jig Head.

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