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

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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.

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

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.

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He was so camouflaged the white inside his mouth was all I saw . These little fish that range from 3-7” usually are very good at ambushing a thing that gets close to their crevice they live in . Beautiful out of the water but blend in with nature underwater unless they move.

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Originally Posted by gillchaser999

He was so camouflaged the white inside his mouth was all I saw . These little fish that range from 3-7” usually are very good at ambushing a thing that gets close to their crevice they live in . Beautiful out of the water but blend in with nature underwater unless they move.

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i often see them take my jig when i am about to pull it it out of the water , they sure love the rocks and the ambush it as it passes thing

Nice fish and story, gill. Heading out in a few to beat the heat on my little creek. We have a beauty (but hot) today. Can’t wait to start chasing them!
Bob

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Originally Posted by BobC

Nice fish and story, gill. Heading out in a few to beat the heat on my little creek. We have a beauty (but hot) today. Can’t wait to start chasing them!
Bob

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Good luck Bob . Let us hear how you do .

:popcorn

..."One man's pest fish is another's enjoyment"..

Gillchaser, it's only true if you call yourself a purist, which i'm not. I belong to the "catch-anything-that-bite" group and i'm glad i'm not alone in this camp Lol. For years these little bruisers are my pride and joy in the desert and I don't believe I have to appologize for. Catching one in the 8 inch size with anything less than 4lb test is a treat and up til now I'm still targeting them in the heat of summer. FYI they are only pests among hard core bass guys because they out compete for food source, or so i've read! Great outing as always. Thanks for the ride!

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Originally Posted by LVSpinfisher1

..."One man's pest fish is another's enjoyment"..

Gillchaser, it's only true if you call yourself a purist, which i'm not. I belong to the "catch-anything-that-bite" group and i'm glad i'm not alone in this camp Lol. For years these little bruisers are my pride and joy in the desert and I don't believe I have to appologize for. Catching one in the 8 inch size with anything less than 4lb test is a treat and up til now I'm still targeting them in the heat of summer. FYI they are only pests among hard core bass guys because they out compete for food source, or so i've read! Great outing as always. Thanks for the ride!

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No purist here ! I’m happy with whatever bites .
I’ve just recently fallen in love with chasing these little fish .
Gotten an ultralight fan , buddy of mine enjoying them too.

We plan on getting together once a week and fishing specifically for these aggressive little fish and will be posting more on our adventures.

Way to go, guys! Pans are pound for pound some of the toughest guys out there on the proper gear!

Pretty fish. I rarely get any green sunfish….which I find stance but there just not prevalent in the waters I fish.

Regards


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they are fun, when I was a kid I would catch at ton of them for an older fellar for his trotlines, they are everywhere around here, every lake,pond,stream,ditch. a pond can turn over and everything die, but they are still there in a few inches of water

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Originally Posted by flymoron

they are fun, when I was a kid I would catch at ton of them for an older fellar for his trotlines, they are everywhere around here, every lake,pond,stream,ditch. a pond can turn over and everything die, but they are still there in a few inches of water

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I’ve read in some places they are considered a pest fish . But they don’t seem to be as abundant around here .
They are an aggressive little fish that are just fun to catch on appropriate tackle.

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Originally Posted by gillchaser999

I’ve read in some places they are considered a pest fish . But they don’t seem to be as abundant around here .
They are an aggressive little fish that are just fun to catch on appropriate tackle.

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Gillchaser, in my next of the woods I treasure them dearly especially after hooked into a 8er once. I'll try to find a picture from my old post and resend it. I'm much more looking forward to them than the occasional LM bass or channel cats i caught while bluegill fishing...:Rofl

they also love minnows!