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I and my wife Loraine slipped off to Iowa for a two day go at the bluegill. We had a great time and done best on the first day. We released the biggest as the spawn is on and filleted our limits of mid sized ones. She caught the largest female and would you believe from a public dock. lol
We fished all public waters and just had a grand time.
We hit it just right and we were rewarded with catches of nice fish. ole Mike
Good lookin mess of gills --make a fine meal---:):)Quote:
Originally Posted by Illinoisgiller
Very nice indeed, it looks like you had a great time.
nice catch, don't get much better.
Nice looking gills... huge for sure. Not sure but it looks like you were fishing the lake between Davenport and Bluegrass... can't remember the name. If you want some huge gills try some of the farm ponds or gravel pits down in Muscatine... you'll be happy.
LSU guy, You are off on the location by over 100 miles. lol The Muscatine gravel pits are closed to public and no more pass system.:mad: A friend showed me where I can get on but said I would have about an hour before I get run out. I just can't fish while I am looking over my shoulder, and refuse to go where I'm not welcome. lol
The gill size there is said to be best in the midwest. (groan)
I sure appreciate the tip though. ole Mike
WOW! Thats some nice ones...you and your wife did good Giller!
I used to live in Muscatine and ACME used to give out passes to fish them, didn't know they stopped. There's a ton of pits that we used to fish without any interruption though and the size was extrodinary... there's also a ton of small lakes on Hwy 22 and Salisbury Park in Muscatine County is also good for gills and catfish.Quote:
Originally Posted by Illinoisgiller
Nice lookin catch , thanks for the photos
Reason for releasing biggest Bluegills ? Here they tend to overpopulate.:confused:
Those are some very good looking gills.
Hey IllinoisGiller, those are some mighty fine Monster Gills you and your wife caught!!! Those are an inspiration to all of us!!! Way to go!!!
Nice mess of fish! Congrats to you and your wife on the catch!!!
Blake
NIMROD, Releasing the largest Male Bluegill will insure a larger size population.
Granted, there are some waters that just won't produce large gills, but if there are some there release the largest during spawn.
Many studies have proven that for the most part, male bluegills stop growing when they spawn the first time. The largest "BULLS" will drive the runts away from the nest. Pull the largest off the nest to keep, and the next smaller year class will move in. Pull that one off and the size gills just keeps reducing. This is especially true on highly pressured smaller lakes and ponds.
One single fisherman that knows gill fishing can simply ruin a pond by hitting the beds every spawn.
If every fisherman returned the biggest males for a few years, a one pound bluegill would get to be quite common. Illinoisgiller
Nice catch and thanks for posting the pics:):) Got me ready to go!!!:D
Good catch!