Best slip bobbers for Shellcrackers

I'd be more than happy to wager you on any public water of your choice, with the caveat that if it's water you're familiar with and I'm not, I get a day of practice. (That's assuming we're in separate boats and I have to find my own fish - if we're in the same boat, I can promise you, you're not going to outfish me for bluegill - very few people are).

I don't give out free trips on the waters I guide on, just because I've got a small fortune invested in those fish and the only people who fish those ponds and lakes no charge are either related to me or close friends. I might be persuaded to give you a 20% discount if you beat me, but then again, that's akin to offering you a discount if you capture a UFO while we're fishing, because that's about as likely as someone outfishing me for bluegill on my own water.

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Originally Posted by tnpondmanager

I'd be more than happy to wager you on any public water of your choice, with the caveat that if it's water you're familiar with and I'm not, I get a day of practice. (That's assuming we're in separate boats and I have to find my own fish - if we're in the same boat, I can promise you, you're not going to outfish me for bluegill - very few people are).

I don't give out free trips on the waters I guide on, just because I've got a small fortune invested in those fish and the only people who fish those ponds and lakes no charge are either related to me or close friends. I might be persuaded to give you a 20% discount if you beat me, but then again, that's akin to offering you a discount if you capture a UFO while we're fishing, because that's about as likely as someone outfishing me for bluegill on my own water.

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The gauntlet has been thrown down! :biggrin

If this epic battle actually comes to fruition, I suggest it happen in the fall or winter. The spawn is too easy.

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Originally Posted by tnpondmanager

I'd be more than happy to wager you on any public water of your choice, with the caveat that if it's water you're familiar with and I'm not, I get a day of practice. (That's assuming we're in separate boats and I have to find my own fish - if we're in the same boat, I can promise you, you're not going to outfish me for bluegill - very few people are).

I don't give out free trips on the waters I guide on, just because I've got a small fortune invested in those fish and the only people who fish those ponds and lakes no charge are either related to me or close friends. I might be persuaded to give you a 20% discount if you beat me, but then again, that's akin to offering you a discount if you capture a UFO while we're fishing, because that's about as likely as someone outfishing me for bluegill on my own water.

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As much as I would love to come up to Tennessee to fish with you i will politely decline the invite. I qualified for the CrappieUSA classic this past year and didnt even drive to Tennessee for that, so a bream or shellcracker trip isnt going to do it. But I will say that I wish i had a dollar for everytime someone of the older generation criticized or critiqued my fishing technique and style, i would have a nice little chunk in my pocket. Then, we hit the weigh in line and the tune changes. I have documented exapmples of me whipping up on older fellas, I can share links if you wish...........i dont think you would be any different......just another fella to bite the dust..............

dont get you panties in a wad about my bragging either......the UFO comment was pretty funny

I'm gonna jump in and give my .02 here. I know from experience that a slip float works extremely well, one aspect of it y'all have not covered is the retrieve if you do not get bit and need to reposition. With a slip float the hook or jig is picked up from the bottom when retrieved and is less prone to snagging. Using this method you can fish some very snaggy places.

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Originally Posted by Southern Young Gun

... dont get you panties in a wad about my bragging either......

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Bragging that you can catch spawning bluegills is like bragging that you beat your dog at chess. ;)

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Originally Posted by deathb4disco

Bragging that you can catch spawning bluegills is like bragging that you beat your dog at chess. ;)

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I wasnt bragging about catching bluegills, i was bragging about beating up on old fellas.......read it again, lol

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Originally Posted by Southern Young Gun

I wasnt bragging about catching bluegills, i was bragging about beating up on old fellas.......read it again, lol

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I was referring to posts 22 and 24.

yeah but that wasnt really bragging, trust me i know how to brag, lol

I can remember when I was young and dumb. Though I have to admit, this is the first time I've been referred to as an "old fellah." I'm not quite on social security yet.

Word to the wise: just because you outfished some average joe who happens to be older than you, does not in any way, shape, or form mean you will outfish me. For crappie? Absolutely you would, because I rarely pursue them these days. I wouldn't begin to think I could outfish a dedicated crappie fisherman for crappie. You would stomp me.

Which is why, if I can say this without seeming contentious, it's a little on the overconfident side for you to assume you, who admittedly only pursue bluegill two or three times a year when they're easy pickings, can outfish someone who has pursued bluegill as his main quarry for longer than you've been alive, and fishes for them dozens of times a year, in all kinds of conditions.


By the way, bottom-fishing is not remotely the best method for bluegill when they're bedding. If we ever get to have that tournament, I'll let you in on the secret as you're paying me in the winner's circle.:)

back to the question...I use the smallest slip cork that will hold the bait up...use crickets for bream and worms for shellcrackers...when i use crickets and start gettin nibbles with the lower soft part of the bait sucked off and nothing left on the hook but the crickets head, chest and legs...i know it a shellcracker...then i switch to worms fished on the bottom also have slip cork on to...lays on its side when worms on the bottom...but i have caught more shellcrackers on a black beetle...the smallest one they make...letting it fall to the bottom then more or less dragging the beetle slow and steady back to the boat...also has worked on sauger and trout...