Thread: lures for bream

Last spring in Florida had a lot of fun catching large bluegills off the docks with silver and gold Blue Fox Vibrax size 0 spinners on ulti-light. I have had less luck with them in Illinois ... or maybe the bluegills are just smaller

I caught 6 of these sunfish on this. The entire treble hook was in their mouth each time???????????? Fun get them unhooked!!

Years ago, I was fishing Reelfoot Lake in West Tennessee (one of the best bluegill lakes in the country) when I saw a fellow catching big bluegill in the lilly pads. I was fishing with crickets in those same pads with some success, but I could tell he was using some other bait and catching three to my one. As he worked through the pads, he got close enough for me to ask him what he was using. He actually drew his boat alongside mine and placed a handfull of small jigs in my boat of various colors. That man was Louie Mansfield and those baits were Grizzly Jigs that he made. He went on to found the Grizzly Jig Company which is, beyond a doubt, the largest dealer of panfish fishing tackle anywhere around.

Since that day I've gone to doing all my bluegill fishing with Grizzly Jigs entirely! I tip each jig with a small piece of Berkley Power Wiggler. Over the years, I've tried Grizzlies in lakes all over the South and Midwest and have caught literally thousands of bluegill and crappie. You can google Grizzly Jigs on the net and order then straight from Louie's factory. I promise you will not be disappointed. I have not used a cricket or worm for bluegill in all these years. I use nothing but Grizzlies and usually can catch three fish while you are baiting a cricket. lol They are awesome, seriously, and I tell you that not because I get a dime for trying to sell them. I don't. I tell you simply because I love to see other people catch fish.

I fish Grizzlies under a very small bobber. Grizzlies are about 1/64 and 1/82 and have an ultra sharp hook. Try them and you'll see what I mean.

I've recently had extremely good luck on bluegill casting Garland's Baby Shads on a 1/16 oz. ball head. I count it down to where I see the first "twitch", then repeat the count each successive cast. Works for me.

Originally Posted by Crestliner08

I've recently had extremely good luck on bluegill casting Garland's Baby Shads on a 1/16 oz. ball head. I count it down to where I see the first "twitch", then repeat the count each successive cast. Works for me.

Thanks for the tip.I bought a couple packs of them in the early spring but havent tried them out yet.

I like to use the slider 1.5 inch swim bait with chartreuse body and black tail. I also use bass pro tournament series bumble bee in chartreuse. The creme 1 inch crank works good in blue back. Use betts popper too.

When I target Bull Gills, I'll pull out the 3 wt. fly rod and sling 'em one of these, or put one under a small bobber.



Yep, for 10 years it was the only way I would fish, but I'm still growing and changing.
Like NeonMoon stated, it's hard to beat a rubber legged spider in front of a fly rod.

Hey Retired, have you ever fished a small popping bug with a tiny wet fly hanging just below tied to the hook. Them gill hear that popper and look up and see that fly right in their face, one hits it and pulls the popper down only to have another hit the popper. Like pulling a boat anchor through the water.Fun when it happens but does cause a retie when you get 2 on.


OLD GEEZER FISHERMEN NEVER DIE, THEY JUST SMELL THAT WAY!!

Joe's fly which is an inline spinner type bait that includes a flash blade, small fly with trailer size 10 treble hook. I've caught some of my largest bluegills and crappie using it. Definitely an all purpose lure. It's best used with a 6 to 7 ft ultralight rod with a smooth 4 to 6 ballbearing ultralight reel on limb 4lb test mono. You can add (various size) split shot 12inches above it for cast distance and depth

Teardrop with a wax worm under a slip float.