As y'all know I've fallen in love with light/ultralight fishing over the last year. So as we know you gotta go deep in the winter so I'm trying to learn dropshotting for gills. I know how to drop shot. Looking for any tips I can get?

That source par excellence is Vogey!

I've done quite a bit of research on this topic and I'm interested in learning more also. I have no experience with it but once I get some sort of boat/kayak I would definitely like to spend some time on the water to try and locate where these fish go in the winter. Best of luck and let us know what is working for you.

I have no clue where the big bluegill go in the winter...tried several things 2 years ago, but finally just gave up and concentrated on bass this time of year.

I've read articles that have reported winter gills have been located 15' and deeper. I know they seek out deeper and warmer water but maybe there is something about the structure on a particular lake or pond etc. Each location having its own unique nuances. Such a challenge but I think one that's worth pursuing. I wish I knew the pattern better. What particular bottom structure or contour attracts them? I would for sure target them in the winter but who knows how deep they actually go!

I found this information about them but dang, it would still take some good electronics and searching to locate them.

In the winter, bluegill move to deeper water as the water cools. They can be found in water that is 12 to 20 feet deep, usually near the bottom. They often school near underwater structures, such as:

Creek channels
Bluff edges
Deep ends of points
Deep holes in ponds
The mouths of coves
The bases of steep bluffs
The deepest edge of a dock

In mid-winter, bluegills will push out to the deeper basin in bays with a maximum depth of 15-20 feet. They will be in the 15–35-foot range this time of year.

Tony...tried all those spots except docks & steep bluffs which my lake does not have. Still catch a few in winter, but nowhere near the numbers or size.

Maximum depth of 35 ft ?
Last winter, I caught this one crawling a jig on the bottom. It was 72 feet deep

Congrats on deep sea freshwater style!!
Merry Christmas!!

Wow, that's amazing. No wonder winter bluegill can be so elusive.

Used to ice fish for them years ago when I lived up north. Tiny teardrop jigs tipped with a maggot fished right off the bottom.

I do not use the drop shot method. When fishing for winter Bluegill/sunfish, I use smaller portions of worms, fish off the bottom, and use a very slow retrieve. I also fish the deeper parts of the water body. Drop off ledges, thick grass beds, slight current are good places to look for the sunnies during the winter. Just my two cents.

Fish in water 15 to 20 feet deep. Try fishing close to brush piles. Use small baits and as mentioned above use very slow retrieving methods. I personally love the Gulp Alive Minnows and Leaches.

I've caught them on Decker, while fishing for crappie, on brush piles. Have not located them yet on Fayette.
good luck

I grew up in Indiana and did the same thing, ice fishing during the winter helped time pass....One thing to correct though, it wasn't a maggot, it was a bee moth right? They look the same.

The teardrop hooks, I remember my arsenal, chartreuse, pink, red, white and the tiny dot color in the middle.... Man those memories are good.

Great info guys. Keep it coming!