SunFish Bait Question

[Fisher_Girl_Kitti]

Last night I was looking at all my tackle, not doing much but thinking. But then I thought of something about Bluegills and such. I know they go after worms like a bull in a china shop but what about those little pill bugs you can find under just about anything? There can be scads of em under a small piece of wood or stone or even a bucket.

With that in mind, I'd like to know what you're thoughts are on using the large pill bugs as bait for Bluegills and such. The pill bugs/rolly pollies are probably the most abundant bug I have ever seen in my life time as i used to find tons of them under path way bricks, wood pieces and gutter spouts.

Any input on using these little bugs for bait would be greatly appreciated.

[CrappiePappy]

Kitti ... if you can get a small enough hook to put the "pill bug" on, I see no reason why they would not bite it. And they'd be more likely to bite it, if it's still alive & kicking when first put in the water. My only concern would be the size of the fish that would likely be the first to attack your little "pill bug". They're likely to be the smallest sunfish in the area ... since they ain't likely to ever get big, by being picky about what they eat

You might also consider wetting down the ground, underneath those bricks, wood pieces, etc. ... then coming back to them & look for any worms that may have come up.

... cp

[Fisher_Girl_Kitti]

well the pill bug i was able to find were huge. and im talking about maybe a little more than half the size of my thumb nail. what i would do to rig them would be put a whole one on the break one in half and let just the end of the hook poke out. its worth a shot.

[STUMP HUNTER]

When I was a kid I use to pick up any bug I could find in grass and under every rock to use as bait. Had more luck with grasshoppers than the bugs but back then I didn't know about gills feeding on the bottom. Those bugs may work bottom fishing? Not sure. If you will send me your address in a PM I'll send you some small jigs and flies for gill fishing. I know, I'll tell you how to use the flies. You can use a small float above the fly around 3 to 4' (what ever you feel you can throw out right). Once you throw out let the float set until the rings in the water disappear then start working the float back to you in short pulls. The fly will be working behind the float and you will need to watch the fly for bites. Lots of fun and this way you can get in on some top water fishing for gills.

[bassbull]

Hello ..... Give it a try but I would think in the end you will agree to stay with the K.I.S.S. method on gills. I bet in the end you will find out its to much work for the returns on your efforts. I have tried dozens of different ways to catch gills and I still go back to a small jig and some kind of worm (wax worm our spike) to catch a mess to eat. But you never know on such things and there is nothing wrong in being a thinking type of fisherman and getting out of the rut every so often. Good luck STEVE

[Fisher_Girl_Kitti]

i hear flies work quite well. i have a few actually. i have one that looks like a bee.

i havent been able to get out on the water and i hope to at least try and get out this spring/summer if the budget allows it.

i prefer to think about my options before i take action.

right now im just gather more options if one kind of bait isnt available or is scarce/expensive/whatever. the pill bugs actually sink.

[Fisher_Girl_Kitti]

oh i have these rubber worms called tiny worm by southern pro. they are really small, about an inch long and are white. i dont have any jig heads for them and i found where i can buy them but those jigs are so tiny, i think they would be perfect for gill fishing.

[deathb4disco]

right now im just gather more options if one kind of bait isnt available or is scarce/expensive/whatever.

Cheap, effective baits that you can get at the supermarket:

1. White bread
2. Corn
3. Hot dogs
4. Shrimp

[Fisher_Girl_Kitti]

thats just the problem......i have no job and im broke so using stuff like that is expensive to me.

i prefer the free stuff that you can get right outside your back door. either that, around the barn.

[deathb4disco]

... i have no job and im broke ...

In that case, I wouldn't be thinking about fishing.

I hope things improve for you soon.