I've been fishing crappie for years. I would like to fish summertime bluegill. Are there any tutorials out there to show me the way? I'm jonesing for big bluegill 😃😃

Quite honestly I haven't found any huge differences betwen the two. For example if your using a slip float with a jig for crappie, do the same thing for sunfish using lighter tackle. Seems a 1/8th ounce jig is the favorite among crappie people but it's too big for bluegill. The hook portion is too big. Drop down to a 1/32nd or smaller and you're golden.

I use a dropshot for sunfish as well. If it's not these two I'm throwing a Rooster Tail.

As for locations, seems to be the same to me. Look for cover and structure. It's hot these days so anywhere there is shade. Tight to the bank under tree branches and leaves.

Then again I not an expert in either pursuits.

Everything David stated above is correct! I personally use a size 6 or 8 cricket hook with a small sinker about 5 to 8 inches above the hook. I use what I call the "Bait of Champions" worms. During the summer I usually try to fish by docks in 8 to 12 feet of water, overhanging tree limbs, grass beds, and brush piles. You can also use a slip bobber or a regular bobber if the fish are suspended.

I use a drop shot with one inch gulp alive.

Thanks! I'm on a mission!LOL

Bluegills are often found on brush piles or standing wood cover along with crappie. Just drop a worm baited book instead of your crappie offering.

In the summer I do really well on them with worms around marinas.

Right now during the summer, I am throwing small spinner baits around docks in 10 to 16 feet of water. Using small crank baits by deeper grass beds in 15 to 20 feet of water. (Chartreuse/Black is getting the very good results.)

I do not fish for the sunfish. Everything these guys have posted should work on finding big sunnies. Looking forward to seeing some post from your upcoming trips. Have fun and go get em.

I've fished today on Lake Arlington for crappie on my Condos. 15 to 22 ft deep. I caught some bream on them , but they were all too small

Good location advice from the above experienced anglers! Location is key as is depth fished. Unless your jigging lures off bottom, swimming them horizontal to it will cover a lot of water. The more water covered, the greater the chances of connecting. When swimming a lure, the retrieve is not steady but with pauses and slight rod tip twitches to impart action to the lure.

When it comes to lures, soft plastic lures rigged on a jig head are the most consistent fish catchers. When it comes to what can be caught with these lures, the sky's the limit! There's no such thing as a bluegill lure or any other species-specific soft plastic. Locations are usually shared by panfish and bass alike. Catch a perch, sunfish may also be near.

When it comes to jig heads, nothing beats the right weight with the right hook size. Even the lightest jigs will cast a nice distance using 8 lb test braid line, which when cast using a light action rod, allows you to feel that slight bump from a long-distance indicating a strike. Depending on lure length, the jig hook should come out 1/3 - 1/2 of the way. Hook gap and sharpness can make all the difference catching or missing fish.

Important: carry a file to sharpen and a pair of pliers to make sure the hook is horizontal to the long axis of the lure. You may already know of these basics, but the info may help others.

When it comes to soft plastic shape, size and action, variety is only limited by your imagination. Here are a few consistent lures that catch bass and panfish:
straight thin tail grub:

Even this cat fish couldn't pass it up:


A bright-white curl tail in murky water gets bit!


Which brings up color choices. Most colors work most times but some colors may work better with some soft plastics depending on time of day, shade, water clarity and depth fished. I like bright white for maximum contrast and contrast is key when choosing colors. Color emphasizes lure action but also contrasts with the background making the lure and action part stand out. It's kinda like the lure is showing off which fish do not appreciate! So, for any one plastic grub, there may be half a dozen colors or more that always work.

Subdued subtle colors work for most water clarities such as chartreuse:


The weirdest shapes catch fish such as this small jig trailer:


Joker tail grub:


Crappie Magnet tail:

(note color brightness)

Spike tail:


How to chose jig weight. 1/32 oz would be used in shallow water though not necessarily with smaller lures as with this worm and 1/32 oz jig.

Plastic adds to lure weight and allows greater casting distance than say using live bait by itself. Much of the time 1/24 oz. and 1/16 oz ball head jigs are my most used weights along with hook sizes #4 and #6. 1/8 oz doesn't do as well with small plastics except for smallmouth bass in flowing water.

The spinner is a classic lure and again, blade flash and lure action combined produce the most contrast:


You get the picture.

Great detail in that answer Sam. Not even my post and I appreciate it.

1. What brand is that straight tail whit grub?

2. What is that L shaped wire on your jig heads? I'm guessing its some sort of keeper or weed guard. I need that in my life. Having to fix my bait every few casts makes me irate and losing gear means I'm going swimming...

Hi David
I produce thin straight tails using an injection mold such as this one:


The grub grip wire is easy to add to jigs and extends the use of soft plastics 100%. I add it to all my jigs.

24 gauge coated florist wire





wrap once around and cut one end close:


bend the wire which will swing into the plastic: