Post by reelteacher on May 21, 2008 21:34:55 GMT -5
Bluegill spawning is in full swing. Look for big males to be guarding nests near shore in as shallow as 1 foot of water or in as deep as 8 feet of water depending on water clarity. The more clear the water is, the deeper the big bull gills will go to feel security as they spawn. Look for their dinner plate sized clean depressions near shore and also watch for nervous water as the fish dart back and forth chasing trespassers and keeping the eggs well oxygenated.
Fly selection is easy. I prefer topwater bugs, but it can be anything you prefer. Fly size is of some importance, usually I stick with flies in the size 8 - 12 range. Big gills will smack anything near their nest, even the largest of topwater bass bugs, but hooking them in the mouth is another matter. Even large bluegill have a relatively small mouth, so that's why I stick to a fly that is no larger than a size 8. But that's just my opinion.
If you choose to fish for these spawning fish, a few words of advice for preservation. We must remember that these fish are guarding their offspring with everything they have. If you choose to catch and release, de-barb your hooks to enable easy hook removal and a quick return of the fish back to its nest.
If you choose to keep a few for the table, keep only those that you are actually going to eat. And, while it's tempting to keep the biggest of bluegills, I would keep fish that are more middle of the road. Remember, it's all about genetics. Big fish make more big fish, but if everyone depletes the largest bluegills from a particular lake, then only the smaller fish that are left will pass their smaller genes to their offspring, producing more smaller fish. Leave the biggest and baddest of fish to reproduce! The smaller ones are more tasty anyway, in my opinion at least.
The spawn will continue for another week or two depending on the location and then it will be over.
So get out there and fish!
Fly selection is easy. I prefer topwater bugs, but it can be anything you prefer. Fly size is of some importance, usually I stick with flies in the size 8 - 12 range. Big gills will smack anything near their nest, even the largest of topwater bass bugs, but hooking them in the mouth is another matter. Even large bluegill have a relatively small mouth, so that's why I stick to a fly that is no larger than a size 8. But that's just my opinion.
If you choose to fish for these spawning fish, a few words of advice for preservation. We must remember that these fish are guarding their offspring with everything they have. If you choose to catch and release, de-barb your hooks to enable easy hook removal and a quick return of the fish back to its nest.
If you choose to keep a few for the table, keep only those that you are actually going to eat. And, while it's tempting to keep the biggest of bluegills, I would keep fish that are more middle of the road. Remember, it's all about genetics. Big fish make more big fish, but if everyone depletes the largest bluegills from a particular lake, then only the smaller fish that are left will pass their smaller genes to their offspring, producing more smaller fish. Leave the biggest and baddest of fish to reproduce! The smaller ones are more tasty anyway, in my opinion at least.
The spawn will continue for another week or two depending on the location and then it will be over.
So get out there and fish!