Illinois bluegill bite started

I made time today to check out the local bluegill bite. It got up into the 60s today with a strong wind from the south. I stayed on bank this trip. I used my much loved BPS vintage Burgandy series 7 1/2' Micro Lite with a 1000 series reel. 4lb Silver Thread still mounted from last season still served the purpose. Small jigs I tie at 2' tipped with wax worms. got some hits.
It took a while to find a lake to dodge the 20to 30 mph winds. Most of the gills were smallish compared to a harvest from the float tube.

Well, I have pictures but I am not skilled enough to "drag" pictures around I can't see.
The gills were about that long by this high.

Way to go Mike......email me the pics and I'll put them up for ya.

The gill fishin has been a little slow for me so far exept a few days ago when i caught several big ones. We have had tons of rain and its either been a cold front or bluebird days. We had 3 or 4 consistent days this week and I finally got on some gills. Tennessee gill fishin is warming up too, but aint full swing yet.

Two days ago I went out again and the water surface had climed to 62 degrees in strip mines. Brought home a nice mess of gills & Red Ear and a crappie. I have never seen the water warm this fast here. 1/80 oz. kiptail jigs tipped with waxies ruled the day. Blk/chart. and hot pink /blue werecolors used.
Edit to add it was a morning bite and I'm in the Quad City area of IL

they are getting on beds in southern part of state