When Bluegill jump

[JUNGLEJIMJIGS]

It doesn't happen often but when they do it's an indication something close by wants to eat it. It happened to me twice this past weekend and both times big bass grabbed the gill. After the grabbed it I let it run for a minute to give them a chance to swallow the gill before setting the hook. First time I was using a 1/32 with a #10 hook and set hook had fish on for a minute before it spit the gill but fish hung close by and attacked a couple more gills later but didn't catch them. Returned the next day with my son and got out early. Went with a 1/32 with a #6 hook and very first gill I hooked it jumped twice before I felt the heavy weight of another big fish. Let it run a bit and was hooked up again. Jumped and I could see the jig was out of the gill and in the corner of the bass mouth so knew I had a good chance of landing it. Son got on his belly reaching out to find it's mouth which was hard because it's covered with moss and finally gets his thumb in it's mouth. As he starts to lift it another violent headshake and he drops it as the hook flies out. Gone !! Away swims the biggest bass in a couple years, 6-7 lber. He's still apologizing for losing it. NBD, would have been nice to get a few pictures. My fault for not bringing a net even though we had two in the truck and he asked if we should bring one. I said we don't need a stinking net. Still had fun and that's why we do it.

[SuperDave336]

Bummer, that would have been a good one for some pics. Awesome story and good memories still.

[6poundtest]

Sure is neat when that happens. I think it was last year it happened to me for the first time, probably never happen again. Thanks for posting about it!

[INFrank]

So that's trick -- let the bass get the gill down before trying to set the hook. Thanks!

I had something similar happen last week, although the bluegill didn't jump. I felt a little tap (fishing a 1/32oz jig on a XUL and 2lb line) and started reeling in something clearly small. Next thing I know the line jumps in another direction and starts pulling drag. I pulled back on the rod and felt something much, much larger than what was on the line initially. The line then cut across the bow of the yak and suddenly went slack. When I reeled up the loose line I was staring at a very traumatized, but otherwise unscathed, 4" gill.

[Ketchn]

one time many years ago at first light , in a small forgotten pond , I saw a small bluegill about 4 inches long fly out of the water at the shoreline ....
it landed right on the bank , and get this part , a bass about 2 lbs came out within a split second right behind it and landed beside it on the bank too !
bluegill can jump for sure
both fish eventually got back in the water , but to be sure , you don't get to see that very often

[JUNGLEJIMJIGS]

It's happened a lot this year at this little 5 acre lake this year. It receives a lot of pressure and the bass have seen every lure ever made. Can't catch one on any bass lure but hook a gill and if there is a bass close it will show itself and hit within a few feet from shore. Usually miss on the first try but a soft toss of the gill out 10-15 feet will often result in a strike. Catching them on 2# test is another thing but is a lot of fun and raises your heart rate.

[BobC]

Good stories, guys. Some years ago I was fishing a small piece of water and a huge bullfrog was a’croaking away on a log. All of a sudden the water got a “v” Shape and it looked like an inbound torpedo! One huge leap and splash mid croak and then dead silence! I have never forgot it. That was some size bass! If you fish enough you see some interesting nature!
Bob

[Ketchn]

It's happened a lot this year at this little 5 acre lake this year. It receives a lot of pressure and the bass have seen every lure ever made. Can't catch one on any bass lure but hook a gill and if there is a bass close it will show itself and hit within a few feet from shore. Usually miss on the first try but a soft toss of the gill out 10-15 feet will often result in a strike. Catching them on 2# test is another thing but is a lot of fun and raises your heart rate.

I noticed the foot path around that spot in your images and thought hmmmmmm, pretty darn well-traveled for sure , just saying

[Central Minn]

Happens pretty regular up here not bass,but Northern pike or Musky,about 50% of the time you can net them.

[skeetbum]

I’ve had a few on over the years but didn’t give them time to eat. Sure is fun and tests the skill level. That’s a good fish in the pic.