Orlando Bluegill

Two weeks ago I headed up to Orlando for the weekend for a work trip. Like I often do, I like to find a place during my travels that I can wet a line for a little bit. I found this park on Google Maps that had two ponds in it. After driving in I stopped at the first pond and decided to give it a shot. I used a small 1/16 oz jig head with a Frisky Frog from Creme to start. Had a lot of action, but it took me a while to land a fish. I found out most of the action I was getting were from fish too small to actually fit the hook in their mouth. Took some persistance, but I was able to pick away at a few nicer gills in a couple of hours. Hope you like it.

https://youtu.be/WZg7G1u0l_U

Enjoyed your adventure. Thanks for the post!
Bob

I used to love fishing for bluegills when I lived down in Fl. However, those blasted tilapia have ruined so many places I largely gave up.

Persistence paid off! Thanks for sharing.

If you have nail clippers, open up the hooks, about 10 degrees, and your hook up rate will improve. They were nice gills, but 12 inches to keep? You would think they would want to keep the big girls and boys in there for breeding.

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Originally Posted by BobC

Enjoyed your adventure. Thanks for the post!
Bob

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Thank you very much.

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Originally Posted by Fishfishwish

Persistence paid off! Thanks for sharing.

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Thanks a lot!

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Originally Posted by DoyleAlley

I used to love fishing for bluegills when I lived down in Fl. However, those blasted tilapia have ruined so many places I largely gave up.

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Yes. I live in South Florida and unfortunately bluegill are actually uncommon down here. They have to compete too much with all the exotics and they just can't keep up. The tilapia you mentioned are a problem, but not as much as all these mayan cichlids.

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Originally Posted by S10CHEVY

If you have nail clippers, open up the hooks, about 10 degrees, and your hook up rate will improve. They were nice gills, but 12 inches to keep? You would think they would want to keep the big girls and boys in there for breeding.

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I'll keep that in mind for the future. And yes I thought 12 inches was a bit ridiculous. Like I said in the video, I'm sure this is a highly pressured lake and if they made the limit something smaller, people would be leaving with buckets everyday until there was nothing left.

They could make the regulation, to be an in between size. Say 8 thru 10, and above or below, that you can't keep them.

looks fun and the fish look quite cooperative

do bluegill ever get 12 inches long is my question ? I seen some in the 2 lb range that are around 11 inches

Nice video. Fishing for bluegill usually makes for a good day for me.