You have to appreciate the excitement of hooking up with a big bull bluegill, if not you might want to step back and take another look at what’s important. Icing heavy duty gills is fun no matter who you are, and worth making some extra time for.
Big gills are the key, and there really aren’t that many bodies of water that produce fish that can actually push the scale all the way up to a pound or more. A common thread among some of the better giant gill factories is rice, and the more the merrier. Another option is shallower lakes and sloughs that are prone to freezing out. When it happens the fish that survive find the going pretty darn good.With no competition for food the survivors can grow big and fast. It’s been a while since we’ve had a killing winter which means there should be some good opportunities right now, you just have to find out where.
No matter where you decide to start the basics for putting a few on the ice remains the same and it would be a good idea to think small, very small, even when you’re looking for something large, maybe very large. Big slab bluegills have teeny tiny mouths, at least when compared to other freshwater species.That little mouth and those big eyes are designed for a totally different method for getting fed.Instead of a slash and burn attack, gills will take their sweet time and slide in, look, inspect, and look some more, before they decide that it looks like food, smells like food, and must be food. That nonchalant attitude can lead to frustration, especially if you’re presentation isn’t all it should be.
Although gills will take advantage of a variety of food sources, they’re primarily bug eaters. Tiny bugs for the most part, like plankton and zoo plankton. Exactly what it is really isn’t that important. What is important is the fact that it’s little, tiny in fact, and is something you might try and duplicate.
Giant gills (those pushing a pound or more) eat small, and that can be their downfall, as long as you offer them something they can’t refuse. That means mini micro jigs, like Northland Tackle’s #8 Doodle Bug. Jigs by themselves aren’t the total answer though and need to be tipped with a little meat. Waxies can work but they can also be too big, and don’t offer any kind of action. Eurolarvae on the other hand does, and is small enough to compliment the tiniest of jigs. These little maggots are small and extremely lively if hooked properly. To help them keep their wiggle a small thin razor sharp hook is needed, which can reduce the damage of hooking one on. Another key is hooking the Eurolarvae in the right end, and is not the pointy nose. Instead, look for the two tiny black dots on the blunt end and slip your hook through as close to those dots as possible. The result will be a bug that keeps wiggling and gives your presentation some real life.Now when a big bull gill comes in and eyeballs your bait he’ll see that it looks alive, smells alive, and tastes great if it finally takes it in.
Even though the maggot can clinch the deal, a small amount of jigging can help to get some attention. Small is the key and you really don’t want to overdue it. Short little pops of the rod tip is about all you’ll need to get things started. Once you have fish coming in you might want to back off and let the Eurolarvae take over.
Light line also helps to compliment the presentation and means as light as two pound test and lighter, if necessary.You might not think it can make that much of a difference but it can and does, especially if you’re working in clear water. Those big eyes put your bait under a microscope, and if doesn’t pass mustard it will probably be rejected.
A light rod with a soft tip will help you deal with the light line and keep you from breaking off bigger fish, which is the last thing you want to do. The new high quality rods with built in spring bobbers like St. Croix’s Premier Ice series help to soften up your jigging technique, and can reveal the lightest of bites. The bite can be incredibly soft and may barely move a spring bobber a fraction down, or up, which is something to look for.
See you on the ice.
Ron AnlaufBy: Ron Anlauf
