Big redears

[HUFFY]

I KNOW THIS IS CRAPPIE.COM BUT I ALSO LIKE TO FISH FOR THE GILLS. GOING TO KY LAKE GOOD FRIDAY WEEK STAYING AT WILDCAT. WHEN DO THE GILLS GO ON THE NEST?Thumbs Up

[Old Guide]

Your about 4 to 6 weeks to early Huffy. You might luck into a few but they usually come on after crappie finish spawning. At least thats my experience. Someone may have found different.

[mepperson]

I usually get after them hard beginning in May or when the water temps start pushing 70.

[killum]

I'll be down there around the 20th of May and most of the guys here say thats awesome time to be on the gills and red ear, and bass fishing is good too! Depending on water level and other conditions you may be busy with the Crappie anyway! poor feller!Hands Clapping

[Alphahawk]

Gill's and Redears are two different fish and the Redears will go on bed before the Gills do. Both specie have a pre-spawn just like Crappie do and usually you can find them pretty active starting in the first week of April..of course that depends if the water gets into the 60+ degree range. I have caught them in the first week of April in KY Lake.....Dale Hollow.....Center Hilll....Barkley...any major reservoir. The only time I have not caught them in significant numbers the first week in April is when the water stays in the mid 50's at that time.


Regards

[gone_fishing]

Gill's and Redears are two different fish and the Redears will go on bed before the Gills do. Both specie have a pre-spawn just like Crappie do and usually you can find them pretty active starting in the first week of April..of course that depends if the water gets into the 60+ degree range. I have caught them in the first week of April in KY Lake.....Dale Hollow.....Center Hilll....Barkley...any major reservoir. The only time I have not caught them in significant numbers the first week in April is when the water stays in the mid 50's at that time.


Regards

x2. I will be down at the same time thats my plan if crappie are tough one day to search for some bream. They feed all year just like any other fish just have to find em, and they really put up a nice fight on light tackle.

[Alphahawk]

My passion is pursuing Crappie, Shellcrackers, and big Gills. I caught a 12 inch Shellcracker last Saturday. I always liken them to catching a Smallmouth...minus the jumps...LOL. Using only 2# test line I get all the thrill I need from these fish. I try and go to Dale Hollow in the Spring when the Shellcracker hit the beds. It will last for a about a week and it is awesome. One does not even need to really know the lake...just find the flats with weeds and or bushes.

Regards

[CalicoScrapper]

Good info. Would like to try fishing for redear but don't know much about it. My I ask do you guys fish on the bottom or under a float? Size of hook and type of bait? Also what depth would you consider as the sweet spot for readear? Many thanks for your reply!!!

[Old Guide]

I do both Scrapper. Some times they will take a pinch of nightcrawler on a small hook behind a split shot fished in the bottom. Other times a small jig fished under a casting bobber is hard to beat. I get a small spider looking jig (I forget the name) from Benson's in Murray. I know other bait shops around the lake sell them as well. The big gills and red ears can't help but bust em!

[CalicoScrapper]

Many thanks Old Guide. Have been fishing for crappie several times this spring/late winter with no luck. Have talked to others with same results. Unless you have some hot spots I would think its still a little early.