Fishing without wind.

I was able to free up the afternoon yesterday, so enjoyed a nice placid lake chasing bluegill. The lake I fished last trip drains down to this one. It is a mile long strip pit. There is a light algae bloom now. This lake is known to hold some large (for this area) gills . I had a tough time getting on an decent size this day.
Best bite was a shot up 2 ft from a 1/80 gold red butt jig. A long cast then slow troll straight up the center over 30' of water. I used other methods, this just worked best. I only counted 23 total in 4 hours so the bite was less than hot. This lake is used a lot so has a 10 fish limit.
Nice to enjoy fishing without the chilly wind.

Raining here cant fish today....nice pictures Mike

Wish I was setting up that way. I'm with G on this one.....rain rain rain :banghead

great shots, sure looks relaxing up that way.

Nice catch ,pretty place .:ThumbsUp

Nice catch. I like the lake pic also.

Nice gills

Nice see someone was catching them today. I got out in the kayak for a few hours today, but couldn't buy a fish. The lake was nice a flat. Made for a nice evening float.

Beautiful fish! Keep wanting to try fishing deeper for bluegill but still can't stop crappie fishing. What pound test line do you use and do you troll with more than one line? It's hard to catch a shellcracker that size on light line with your fingers crossed. It would hurt my feelings to lose one like that right at the net.

For line I am using Cabela's Pro-Line mono in Hi Vis Yellow. As long as I keep my drag properly set it has preformed well beyond my expectations. I have trolled with two rods but more enjoy just using a single rod. Since you mentioned the much loved Shellcrackers, If I were to target shellcrakers on a regular basis like at Berkley(sp) or Kentucky Lake I would spool with Power Pro 8/2 Hi Vis Spectra Just In case that lunker comes along .lol

Which part of Illinois are you from? Grew up in Champaign/Urbana, did twenty in the Navy and ended up in Florida, it is mighty hot here this time of year so you generaly get a few hours in the early a.m. or late p.m. like your stories and pics.

I am located in the Quad City area just 175 northwest of your boyhood home.
Fishing down in Florida would probably be great ,but would miss the clear strip pits I enjoy. Are the phosphate pits I've heard of clear water?

Great lookin gills

Good job mike.

Nice fish.

Regards