Gills fight like the dickens!

When I get a decent sunnie hooked, it's like catching a fish twice its size. I've been getting into them mixed with crappie mid lake in 5-6'/ same spot day after day. On sonar they looked schooled up so it's easy to locate fish and then anchor. The variety of lures the fish bit (including crappie) was amazing!
Key though was the retrieve:
Raise the rod tip 4" or so. drop it and reel in the slack/ repeat, pausing ever so often. The lure has got to glide at times, dart when twitch with the rod tip and wobble.

That's all it took for fish to smack any of the lures shown.

I agree with them being fighters and I have a good time catching them, too.

Those are some real beauties, spoon. I have always felt that pound for pound they are one of the greatest fighters, just use the right gear. On U/L they are a pure blast. I really like it when they go into the circular war dance and turn sideways.
Bob

yeppers , hung one of them there 9 plus inchers the other day at a spot and it tried like heck to rip the rod out of my hands , man did it have some git up and go .....
a big one about 5 lbs would really ruin some light tackle and make swimming dangerous as well :Rofl

Once they hit 7" they get really fun. Fun grows with every added inch.

They sure fight like the dickens.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JUNGLEJIMJIGS

Once they hit 7" they get really fun. Fun grows with every added inch.

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there really ain't much give up in them either after ya land one , will fin ya just for fun is their native American name :Rofl

They sure don't like to be held in hand for a pic. Always flop when you're ready to take that perfect shot and then they stick you. Fishing would be safer without gills but not as much fun. Spoons method with the bungees and plastic tub is safer for sure.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JUNGLEJIMJIGS

Once they hit 7" they get really fun. Fun grows with every added inch.

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The smaller ones fight pretty good for their size on the right tackle. Especially the shellcrackers . They don’t know they’re little . It’s like they carry a chip on their shoulder. Got something to prove .

It shows you how aggressive sunnies can be when they hit a 4"-5" plastic worm rigged on a light jighead:
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Mann Shadow
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Nice that most any small lure that catches crappie, perch and bass, catch gills.

Even small crankbaits got wacked!:
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(The measuring board it nice once you get the fish under the cord. Otherwise - man does that spine HURT!)

They’ve become one of my favorite target species. Aside from very good table fare they’re just fun to catch and they seldom run around solo. Get one good one and a lot of times there’s more to be found. When the planets align and they’re in an aggressive mood you have to hang onto your rod a bit better or it will be gone. I’ve got a few areas to hit and they give me all I want usually. Most big ones don’t cross ten inches here but last year I had at least five that crossed that mark. When they hit and stop my rod I get excited but then they turn sideways and start pulling drag. What’s to compare, how does it get any better than having that happen 30+ times a day. I say a prayer of thanks for this blessing we just call fishing, so much more to it……

I have always said this. Pound for pound you will not find anything that will fight harder in fresh water. I will also say of all the panfish breeds, Shell cracker have the worlds strongest instinct to swim I believe I have ever seen. I was takings one off the hook a while back and the Mrs. asked why my hand was shaking so bad. I told her it wasn't that the dang fish thought it was still swimming and I couldn't hold it still:Rofl. They are like Tuna, they just never stop.