Targeting Green Sunfish

My fishing buddy and I have found a new (to us) sport .
Targeting Green Sunfish .
One man’s pest fish is another man’s enjoyment.
We use super ultralight Flyfishing gear and flies to catch them .
Today we were at Lake West Point here in Georgia, a Corp of Engineer reservoir.
Our target area is the riprap near the numerous boat ramps .
Even a four incher puts up a good fight on an ultralight flyrod .
Today I used my 6’ 2wt Butterstick and my buddy used a 5’9” CGR . Both ultralight fiberglass rods . I caught 44 total including a few small bluegills. My buddy caught 27 .
A fun four hours .
He caught the biggest of the day and actually was the biggest we’ve caught so far .
These are the two biggest today, and the smallest . Mine looks like it may be a hybrid because it has more of a bluegill shape .
IMO , these are some of the most beautiful freshwater fish .

They are some scrappy fighters. In the case of that little one they are very tenacious

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

They are some scrappy fighters. In the case of that little one they are very tenacious

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Yes they are .
They’re like the chihuahuas of panfish.
I can’t get over how quickly they can dart out from under a rock and be back under the rock before I can set the hook .
They are very quick and think they are ten times their size .

That is a good comparison. They are a worthy opponent

:ThumbsUp

Gillchaser,
I am in the "I like them camp" when it comes to green sunfish. One lake back in the woods that I fish has some of the gill/green sunfish hybrids. I agree that the pic of the one you caught is a hybrid and your friends is a true green sunfish and a very nice one. They are lookers and it has to be a blast on ultralite fly gear. The hybrids can get to a very nice size, here's one from last year.Attachment 431959

Great looking fish, moon. Yes, on a 3 wgt would make a terrific fight!
Bob

Made a short trip to lake McIntosh this morning.
Late start , yesterday’s trip , four hours of fishing with three hours of driving wore this old man out .
But today’s forecast was for clouds this morning with a chance of rain the rest of the week .
I expect to squeeze in some short trips in between the showers this week , but you never know.
Anyways, I took my Buttersticks and the plan was to target the green sunfish that live among the eighty yards of riprap to one side of the boat dock and ramp area .
Slightly over an hour’s fishing and I caught eight greenies , three small gills and a small redbreast.
All of the fish were small and I was wondering if that’s all that lives among these rocks , until today .
As I watched my spider as I swam it just barely over the rocks , wearing polarized glasses , I saw the mouth open on a nice one . It blended in perfectly with the bottom and all I could see was the mouth open and gills flaring .
I think it was directing that gill flare at the smaller fish that had followed my fly into its area .
I know where he lives now , I’ve just got to figure out which fly will entice him to eat .
I think the one of the attractions to catching these little fish is it’s like sight fishing . Although I’m targeting certain rocks , watch for that dark spot to dart out and grab my fly .
Two of the more colorful ones today .

Those two do have nice coloration. I know I am guilty of thinking there is probably nothing bigger than what I have already caught in smaller lakes, ponds and pools, and then you get the big surprise. :yikes Good luck with the one you saw today.

Those are sure enough pretty. Like you, my heart rate goes up fast when I see something large open it’s mouth and eat. I once watched a bass about 4 lbs leave the comfort of his dock and swim up about 5’ and suck in the crankbait I was slow rolling by his dock. Chomp and about face and it was on. Winter time and very clear water and he got a pass that day. I wasn’t cold for a while after that. Hope you get him out of the rocks.