PreSpawn Bluegills

[Fortunato]

I've gotten some great info searching these forums, especially regarding suspending BG, which is something I've been thinking about lately. Thanks to everyone who posts here!

I have a question though. Is it worth fishing for prespawn Bluegill? I'm talking water temps in the 50s and 60s. If so, where can these fish be found and how do you fish for them?

The lake I fish has 9-10" gills and I'm able to catch them periodically but not with any consistency. It's a 250-acre impoundment filled with standing timber and a well-defined creek channel. Max depth is probably about 30 feet or so. Clear water, you can see a jig probably about 6' down or more. Thermocline sets up in the summer at about 20'.

I'm determined to learn to catch these fish consistently and the earlier I can start after ice-out the better. Any ideas?

[deathb4disco]

Is it worth fishing for prespawn Bluegill? I'm talking water temps in the 50s and 60s. If so, where can these fish be found and how do you fish for them?

It's definitely worth fishing for them. Over the last few years, my best bluegill catches have taken place from November through January. I've got the fish all to myself! Most people forget about them if they're not on the beds.

I usually float fish with bait and look for them in deeper water near where they typically spawn. That creek channel would be a good place to start.

[IceWarriorGill]

I agree completely with Deathb4Disco. You might also try targeting any areas of heavy brush/fallen timber/weedbeds near any points of shoreline which border the Creek Channel. If there's an abrupt dropoff from shallow to deeper water with the previous characteristics then you've hit paydirt!!!!! Good luck!!!!

[shooter]

i fish the beds year around,try the week of the full moon,some sunshine helps. something we haven't had a lot of down here lately.
deep and slow is the way to go.

gators are ugly

[Oscar73]

I live on a lake similar to yours and definetly agree. Drop off's near where the spring spawns normally take place is always the first place I go.

Oscar

Take a look at a few of these:

http://webpages.charter.net/jmayer54...s/evrcfish.htm