Fishing Tip – Get The Big Bluegills By Raymond McDowell | Submitted On July 10, 2017

Fishermen love to catch fish. If you know someone who loves to fish and claims he doesn’t like to catch the BIG ones, either he isn’t telling the truth or he really isn’t a fisherman. Bluegills are one kind of fish the big ones are the prized catch. And, if you are going to eat what you catch, cleaning the bigger fish is much easier than little ones. Let’s see if I can give you some tips to help you catch those big ones.

First of all, fishing for big bluegills is a bit like fishing for bass. Study the local water and find what feed is available – naturally. Use bait or lures that resemble the natural feed supply as closely as possible. Make your presentation of the lure or bait also as near as you can to what the bluegills would see everyday.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that because you can catch the little ones easily, that you can catch the big ones easily also. They did not get to be big by being stupid or biting on anything. They will be more shy than their little relatives and caution in presenting your bait or lure is a good trait to have. You will notice how wary they are when they move into shallow water to spawn – or – feed. If you can maintain some distance from their beds and reach them with your casts, you could have very good results. When the big ones are on their nests, the best presentation you can make is just your bait and a single hook. Let it fall gently onto the nest and wait! Since they are more wary at this time, they mat scatter first and then come back and strike the bait to remove it – or – to eat it – but it won’t be as quick as you might be used to when fishing for them the rest of the season. Remember, bluegills eat during spawning time. So, keep presenting that bait before them. You will get the big ones to bite. It just may take a little longer than usual.

During the rest of the season, cast for the bigger ones in the deeper water near a drop-off. If you can find a drop-off near a dock or pier, I think you will have good luck finding and catching some big ones. Sometimes, we think bluegills are a never ending source of fun fishing. But, they, like any species, can be over-fished and have their numbers diminished greatly. Be sure you are conscious of the amount you need to catch for your meal. After that, you can always catch and release if you want to keep on fishing. But, save some good ones for tomorrow – or – another fisherman.

Also, don’t pass up any dams you might have in the lake you are fishing. They often produce a small “back current” that will push bait towards the dam and/or any spillways that might be present. Since the current is almost always very slight, you can find bluegills gathered there to get the bait that comes their way. This is a good place to fish for some good sized bluegills. If there are shad in the lake, they often spawn around the dam and the big bluegills are sure it is an invitation to dinner. Try it and see for your self. I like this place to fish for bluegills and try not to miss it every time I fish.

Fishing in general can be lots of fun for the whole family and especially catching bluegills! But it is also a great source of good food for the table and fillets from bluegills are extra delicious. Since they are a smaller fish and not as easy to fillet as – say a walleye, you need to have a good fillet knife to do an outstanding job of preparing your catch for dinner. Get a great fillet knife at Knives Inclusive, Their website address is: [http://www.knivesinclusive.com] and check out their fishing page.