I'm learning quite a bit about the crackers and gills this spring

This spring has proven to me that these fish decide to spawn based on WATER TEMPERATURE. The proof is right in front of our eyes...When the lake warmed to near 70 degrees in early April, I caught several nice messes of big redear that were moving shallow to spawn. The weather suddenly cooled off and they slid back to deeper water.

Since that time, it has never warmed up enough to generate their spawning cycle. Even the gold standard, the May full moon, came and went without spawning activity. This tells me that these fish respond to the water temperatures more than anything else.

That said, these next two weeks should be exceptional...Good luck to all!!

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Originally Posted by redearhoosier

This spring has proven to me that these fish decide to spawn based on WATER TEMPERATURE. The proof is right in front of our eyes...When the lake warmed to near 70 degrees in early April, I caught several nice messes of big redear that were moving shallow to spawn. The weather suddenly cooled off and they slid back to deeper water.

Since that time, it has never warmed up enough to generate their spawning cycle. Even the gold standard, the May full moon, came and went without spawning activity. This tells me that these fish respond to the water temperatures more than anything else.

That said, these next two weeks should be exceptional...Good luck to all!!

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I dismissed the full moon theory years ago....but don't talk about it a lot as it lives on in lore and legend....LOL. I came to this conclusion from my own fishing records....and a lot of reading. In pure scientific terms the bluegill spawn has nothing do with the full moon. I doubt you can find one fisheries biologist that will tell you bluegill spawn on full moons.

Regards

Water temp is everything.

went out with anticipation on the night of and next few days of full moon and bite was slow and fish were only in shallow for short time as water temps fluctuated.

I'm I'm agreeance with Alpha on this one. I I feel water temperature and photoperiod are the natural spawning drivers. I say do whatever you have confidence in. If you go in with positive attitude, you mentally stay in the game longer and are more efficient! THATS what catches fish.

Time of day - mostly unpredictable - seems important as does daily weather changes. Semi-clear water clarity down to 5' and just emerging weeds is the rule in the lakes I've been fishing and fish I've seen are lethargic - none aggressively chasing lures. Only a few strike my lures after a 100 casts as it hits the water except when a small school of mixed species turn on such as these:
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Can't complain considering the 15 mph wind dragging my 10 lb anchor along with a bright sun. Nights in the low 50's/ days over 65 with Fri. near 80 - ahhhhh yes - finally! If this doesn't trigger activity I don't know what will.

70° has been the point where I've caught males in the spawning grounds and I've yet to have a consistent bite from the female of both gills or redear although the temps have touched the low 80's a couple trips.....I think they know this weather isn't settled in yet.....
Sure is fun chasing these fish and I'm really enjoying this long break from crappie fishing.....

I will be watching water temperature from now on because the May full moon has left me puzzled this year. Also we have had unusual weather this year with water temperature rising and falling. Maybe this week will be better I hope.

Learned that several years ago myself! I don’t fish much on full moons but I do great on new moons ! If the temp is right

Same here in NC. Still waiting for them to move into the beds. Usually by this time it's on like donkey kong. Went a couple days ago, absolutely nothing up shallow.

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Originally Posted by Slabprowler

Learned that several years ago myself! I don’t fish much on full moons but I do great on new moons ! If the temp is right

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Just like deer hunting . 2nd quarter moon and new moon are best two times . The reason for this thread was to confirm that . Read this years ago in a hunting book from a Canadian hunter . He said it applied to all .

I have done VERY well on the new moon here on Barkley. One time my son and I caught 17 BIG redear in thirty minutes during the new moon! Temperature still needs to be correct.

Our Fish & Wildlife commission evidently still believe in the full moon.

Habitat:**Redear prefer hard bottoms, congregating in deeper water than bluegill.

Behavior:**They prefer snails and clams, giving them their common nickname. Shellcracker grow larger than bluegill, with fish over 1 pound common.

Tips:**Redear sunfish are caught most often on earthworms around the full moons of March and April when their spawning activity peaks.




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