Many Natural State fishermen believe bluegills quit biting when the water gets cold, so fishing for these delicious fish is fruitless. Fortunately, that’s untrue. Bluegills actually stay active throughout the cold months, and this is a great time of year to catch dozens if you use the proper fishing tactics.
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How do you fish for bluegill in the fall?
Tipping a small jig with a mealworm, wax worm, or a piece of nightcrawler works best for fall bluegill in deep water. When fishing deep, cast to any cover first to catch any bluegill suspended over the cover and then move in closer to vertical jig for any fish holding tight to the cover.
Can you fly fish for bluegill?
Bluegill Tackle Bluegill are fun to hook on the same fly tackle you’d use for trout. In order to get the best sport from these 4- to 10-inch fish, I recommend using 1-, 2-, or 3-weight rods 7 to 8 feet long with medium or slow action, and light fly reels.
Do bluegills bite in November?
Yes, bluegill will readily feed in the winter months and during cold-water events. To catch them, however, a slower fishing approach is necessary. It is well documented that bluegill consume less in colder water than summer.
What do bluegill eat in the fall?
During the summer and fall, bluegill really dine heavily on baitfish and shiners are definitely a primary food source in lakes that hold shiners. Just about every species of fish love eating shiners so you won’t only catch bluegills on shiners.
What is the best month to catch bluegill?
Spring and early summer is the best time to catch bluegills because they gather in the shallows to spawn, become very aggressive, and are easy to catch. Wade or boat within easy casting distance of the nests with a small lure or bait just below a small bobber.
Where can I find fall bluegill?
Look for bluegills along deep weedlines, sharp drop-offs, points and deep bays. Often the fish can be found in deeper areas near their spring spawning sites.
Why are the bluegill not biting?
One of the likely reasons you aren’t getting bit is because the bluegill may have moved to another part of the pond or lake. Generally, bluegill don’t cruse around. They like to school up and hangout in one area. But these schools will move around a little depending on the weather, the seasons, and the time of day.
What is the best fly for bluegill?
- #1 The Triangle Bug. Everyone loves the excitement of a fish taking a fly off the surface and I am no exception.
- #2 Soft Hackles.
- #3 Poppers.
- #4 The Green-Eyed Damselfly Nymph.
- #5 The Mop Dragon.
- #6 The Wooly Worm.
- #7 The Brim Killer.
- #8 The James Wood Bucktail.
How do you fish a bluegill with a fly rod?
What size fly rod for panfish?
Recommended fly rods for panfish fly fishing A 3- or 4-weight rod (or even lighter) not only makes every catch a little more challenging, it also helps with the presentation of small and delicate flies. Really, any good quality 5- or 6-weight rod works great for panfish, as bluegill and other small species.
Where are bluegill in 50 degree water?
In late autumn when water temperatures begin to dip below 50 degrees, bluegills leave the shallows. The first stop in their transition to wintering locations is the first breakline, which is often the deepest edge of the weedline.
Can you catch bluegill in December?
In the winter, bluegill really prefer smaller baits. They also like the baits to be moving slower. If you want to catch a lot of good bluegill in the colder months (November, December, January, February, & March), slow down your approach and fish with smaller lures. You’ll have better success.
What is the best bait for bluegill in the winter?
Even big bluegills will be focused on tiny food sources and using larger baits will likely end in disappointment. The exception is if the fish are feeding on minnows. Then a live minnow or minnow imitation, such as a small spoon or jig, is the most effective approach.
What do bluegill eat in the winter?
What water temperature do bluegills spawn?
Spawning Temperature: 68-75 degrees. Spawning Time: Begins in mid-April and can continue all summer. Reproduction Cycles: Bluegills can spawn up to five times a year in Southern states. Spawning Locations: Bluegills and other sunfish prefer weedy protected bays with gravel or sandy bottoms.
How old is a 11 inch bluegill?
At 3 years of age: Bluegill will likely fall between 8 and 8.9 inches. At 4 years of age: Bluegill will likely fall between 8.7 and 9.4 inches. At 5 years of age: Bluegill will likely fall between 9.5 and 10 inches.
What is considered a trophy bluegill?
In this area, bluegills are generally considered trophies if they are at least 10 inches long. Actually, bluegills that hit eight inches are big bruisers, and finding impoundments with sunfish this size makes it worthwhile to break out the ultralight gear.
How deep are bluegill in the winter?
Mid-winter Bluegill and sunfish will retreat to deeper water, often 30 to 40 feet if they can find it, and they’ll be looking for muddy, soft bottoms that hold insect larvae. But this is where that homework you should have done will really pay off. There’s a lot more to a flat than an unbroken straight line.
What time are bluegill most active?
Bluegill are commonly found in water more than 10 feet deep in summer and typically hang just above the thermocline (the depth where water temperature changes dramatically and below which oxygen levels are usually low). Best fishing is usually in the morning and evening when the fish are most active.
What color lures do bluegill like?
Silver, gold, green, and black are the best colors. For fish holding in deep areas in winter or summer, slab-type jigging spoons are especially effective. Position yourself above your quarry or likely structure. Lower the spoon to the appropriate level, and then jig it slowly and rhythmically up and down.
Can you catch bream in October?
The month of October can be an excellent time to get out on banks to target a few bream. Now the bream, a deep bodied shoal fish, isn’t everyone’s favourite, but feeling the heavy thump of a big slab on the other end has to be one of the most satisfying feelings in fishing.
What time of year do bluegill start biting?
Water temps in the mid to high 60’s signify the start of this shallow water rush, and this shallow period before the spawn is probably the most responsible time of year to get after them. Fish are readily abundant and active, and there’s a good mix of both sexes that are willing to bite.
Do bluegills bite at night?
Bluegills are most active during the day, but they will bite at night. Bluegills are much less active at night. Many variables play a factor but if bluegills feel secure in their safety, they will feed well into the night.
Are bluegill spines poisonous?
The sharp spines of bluegills are not poisonous. Technically, fish spine toxins are labeled as venomous since venom is injected and poison is ingested or inhaled. Getting stabbed by a bluegill’s spines will hurt a bit, but they are not toxic in any way.