Question about what to use where the main food is blue gill?

Bassboss · 05-04-09, 05:38 PM

Ok! I've got a new lake, I caught two bass on a spinnerbait their, and that was all that worked for me. How ever, my brother was using live blue gills, he caught a nice 2lber, and hooked and lost at the shore a big 8lb + fish. When we were fishing, a regular their (it's next to some apartment buildings) said that the bass love live blue gills.... and apparently so!

So, me being me, I don't wanna use live bait. What are some good lures that imitate blue gills well? I'm think about using a 3/8 spinnerbait with gold or bronze blades. I also have a slow sinking bbz-4" blue back herring that been in back order from LBF.com for a LONG time, would that work? I also got some fat money minnows, I forget the color though. It's HOT here.. 80-85* most of the day! It's deep, at least 20'. There's a weed line from shore in 0-6' of water, and breaks 7-10' out, in 8-10' of water. The bottom has hydrilla, and some cabbage. I wanna get some waders so I can fish the weed line better. The water is lightly stained.

So what do y'all suggest I do and use, again the main food is blue gill. And I also don't wanna spend 50.00 on a blue gill swimbait!

Thanks allot guys!

jig fisherman · 05-04-09, 05:41 PM

A dt 4 in bluegill or try using a jig or worm but color the tail chartreuse.

BassinID · 05-04-09, 06:10 PM

I would agree with the bluegill dt, gut would suggest a dt 10, or maby a 6. If you can get it bumping off structure thats tops.

Bassboss · 05-04-09, 06:43 PM

Thanks guys, I'll check out the DT's!

btw, the bass are fresh off the beds!

Here are some pics of the pond.....

And my bros bass:

cassidyta · 05-04-09, 06:52 PM

I of course say go with a swim bait, but you said that was not the prefered option. There are some blue gill colored spinner baits that work. I would also consider a jig. I know that you said the bottom has vegetation, but you can swim the jig back and make it look like a gill.

JB · 05-04-09, 07:26 PM

Get a storm package of thier bluegill swimbait, you can get four or five for under five buck, the bass here love them. I fished a few canals in key west like the ones you have posted, looks like fun.

Bassboss · 05-04-09, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB

Get a storm package of thier bluegill swimbait, you can get four or five for under five buck, the bass here love them. I fished a few canals in key west like the ones you have posted, looks like fun.

Thanks guys! The swim jig's a good idea!

Man JB! Those are some cool looking swimbaits! Do they come weedless?

MrPhotographer06 · 05-04-09, 08:16 PM

as far as i know, they all come like this

they've got those thumper tails too.

JB · 05-04-09, 08:23 PM

Correct, the hook goes up as shown, I've had more hits fishing it like a spinnerbait retrieve more than I had originally thought I'd be bouncing it off the bottom. I've got the shad ones but nothing at brookville has hit it yet.....

MrPhotographer06 · 05-04-09, 08:28 PM

i havent hit anything on them either, the bluegill or the fire tiger. there cool baits, but i only carry like two of them in my box. one of each color and in5" and 3"

maybe one day.

B-I-G · 05-04-09, 10:02 PM

Try a Bandit 100 or 200 in chrome bluegill

Bassboss · 05-05-09, 08:17 AM

Thanks guys! You're a real help!

The Doc · 05-05-09, 10:36 AM

You might want to check out a norman Suspend deep little N in a nutter shad or a sunfish pattern. It's gonna dive to the depth that you are looking at, and because it suspends, you can keep it in the strike zone a little longer. Here's the link:

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/descp...MAN-NSDLN.html

ruasoonerfan2 · 05-05-09, 12:23 PM

bluegill colored rat l trap would be one of my choices, had the same thing at small lake I fish here in OK. Bluegill was the food source and I went with spinnerbaits and swimbaits but got best results from rat l traps. Hope that helps and good luck.

Raul · 05-05-09, 01:20 PM

This is what I use in lakes where bluegill is the main forage:

Crankbaits
Spinnerbaits
Jigs
Soft plastics: worms, tubes, grubs, creatures, stickbaits, jerkbaits.
Topwaters

This is what I use where tilapia is the main forage:

Crankbaits
Spinnerbaits
Jigs
Soft plastics: worms, tubes, grubs, creatures, stickbaits, jerkbaits.
Topwaters

This is what I use where minnows, shiners and carp are the main forage:

Crankbaits
Spinnerbaits
Jigs
Soft plastics: worms, tubes, grubs, creatures, stickbaits, jerkbaits.
Topwaters

I don´t bother to "match" the finish on my baits to bluegill color patterns.

MississippiBoy · 05-05-09, 01:30 PM

Sensing a pattern here...maybe a hint of sarcasm, too....

But wait, what do you use when the main forage is crawfish?

BigBassin144 · 05-05-09, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-I-G

Try a Bandit 100 or 200 in chrome bluegill

+1 those cranks are great. other than that, maybe a bluegill colored jig or spinnerbait and some bluegill swimbaits.

MB, I don't see the pattern

BB

Raul · 05-05-09, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MississippiBoy

Sensing a pattern here...maybe a hint of sarcasm, too....

But wait, what do you use when the main forage is crawfish?

Crankbaits
Spinnerbaits
Jigs
Soft plastics: worms, tubes, grubs, creatures, stickbaits, jerkbaits.
Topwaters

Bassboss · 05-05-09, 02:08 PM

Thanks guys, raul, I'll try some top waters, have not used those yet! also I agee with you some. you would not have to "match" the color of forage with worms, and top waters, I don't think the color blue gill on a worm will match a blue gill very well..... totally different profile!

JB and photog!

I looked at the storm swimbait online, at bps, and the storm web sight, I could not find that color?

I could find something like it with a chartuess tail though. Could one of y'all give me a link to one with that color?

Thanks fellers

Raul · 05-05-09, 02:13 PM

That pond looks pretty much like the ponds I fish around my neck of the woods, Baby Torpedos and poppers do a killing when the conditions are right, plus, it´s really fun to fish with them.

Bassboss · 05-05-09, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raul

That pond looks pretty much like the ponds I fish around my neck of the woods, Baby Torpedos and poppers do a killing when the conditions are right, plus, it´s really fun to fish with them.

Cool! I got some poppers! I'll get some Torpedos too!

chief7101 · 05-05-09, 05:54 PM

maybe try some rage tail toads....you'll be surprised!!

Bassboss · 05-05-09, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chief7101

maybe try some rage tail toads....you'll be surprised!!

lol! Funny you mention them!

I got a pack about a week back, man the bass LOVE THEM, not at that pond, just another pond I fish. The whole pack got used in a day!

I'll havta get some more!

btw guys, it's getting hotter! Today walking home from the bus stop it was 90*!!!

BigBassin144 · 05-05-09, 07:43 PM

Hey man if you're trying topwaters, pick on an XCalibur (no E in the beginning) Jimmy. It's my favorite walk-the-dog bait. Walks much easier than a zara spook or a rapala skitterwalk, and it cheaper than a LC Sammy.

BB

Bassboss · 05-05-09, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

Hey man if you're trying topwaters, pick on an XCalibur (no E in the beginning) Jimmy. It's my favorite walk-the-dog bait. Walks much easier than a zara spook or a rapala skitterwalk, and it cheaper than a LC Sammy.

BB

Thanks BB... Dose the tail end of the X hang low in the water?

Man you guys suck!!

lol kidding!!! You're encouraging the bait monkey, that's all!

But for reelz, thanks guys!

Y'all really know what you're talking about!

05-04-09, 05:38 PM	#1
Bassboss BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Shawano, WI Posts: 7,761	Question about what to use where the main food is blue gill? Ok! I've got a new lake, I caught two bass on a spinnerbait their, and that was all that worked for me. How ever, my brother was using live blue gills, he caught a nice 2lber, and hooked and lost at the shore a big 8lb + fish. When we were fishing, a regular their (it's next to some apartment buildings) said that the bass love live blue gills.... and apparently so! So, me being me, I don't wanna use live bait. What are some good lures that imitate blue gills well? I'm think about using a 3/8 spinnerbait with gold or bronze blades. I also have a slow sinking bbz-4" blue back herring that been in back order from LBF.com for a LONG time, would that work? I also got some fat money minnows, I forget the color though. It's HOT here.. 80-85* most of the day! It's deep, at least 20'. There's a weed line from shore in 0-6' of water, and breaks 7-10' out, in 8-10' of water. The bottom has hydrilla, and some cabbage. I wanna get some waders so I can fish the weed line better. The water is lightly stained. So what do y'all suggest I do and use, again the main food is blue gill. And I also don't wanna spend 50.00 on a blue gill swimbait! Thanks allot guys! __________________ If you can't fix it with heavy squats or fish oil, you're probably going to die. Last edited by Bassboss; 05-04-09 at 06:19 PM.

05-04-09, 06:43 PM	#4
Bassboss BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Shawano, WI Posts: 7,761	Thanks guys, I'll check out the DT's! btw, the bass are fresh off the beds! Here are some pics of the pond..... And my bros bass: __________________ If you can't fix it with heavy squats or fish oil, you're probably going to die.

05-04-09, 06:52 PM	#5
cassidyta BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,928	I of course say go with a swim bait, but you said that was not the prefered option. There are some blue gill colored spinner baits that work. I would also consider a jig. I know that you said the bottom has vegetation, but you can swim the jig back and make it look like a gill. __________________ If you have ever wondered if you should retie, the answer is yes.

05-04-09, 08:16 PM	#8
MrPhotographer06 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fort Bragg, NC Posts: 2,096	as far as i know, they all come like this they've got those thumper tails too. __________________ For Those I Love, I will Sacrifice: US Army since 2012

05-04-09, 08:28 PM	#10
MrPhotographer06 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fort Bragg, NC Posts: 2,096	i havent hit anything on them either, the bluegill or the fire tiger. there cool baits, but i only carry like two of them in my box. one of each color and in5" and 3" maybe one day. __________________ For Those I Love, I will Sacrifice: US Army since 2012

05-04-09, 05:41 PM	#2
jig fisherman BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: south eastern PA Posts: 290	A dt 4 in bluegill or try using a jig or worm but color the tail chartreuse.

05-04-09, 06:10 PM	#3
BassinID BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Too far from largemouth, Idaho Posts: 672	I would agree with the bluegill dt, gut would suggest a dt 10, or maby a 6. If you can get it bumping off structure thats tops.

05-04-09, 07:26 PM	#6
JB BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 8,655	Get a storm package of thier bluegill swimbait, you can get four or five for under five buck, the bass here love them. I fished a few canals in key west like the ones you have posted, looks like fun.

05-04-09, 08:23 PM	#9
JB BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 8,655	Correct, the hook goes up as shown, I've had more hits fishing it like a spinnerbait retrieve more than I had originally thought I'd be bouncing it off the bottom. I've got the shad ones but nothing at brookville has hit it yet.....

05-04-09, 10:02 PM	#11
B-I-G BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 115	Try a Bandit 100 or 200 in chrome bluegill __________________ 2009 Fish Count: 76

05-05-09, 08:17 AM	#12
Bassboss BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Shawano, WI Posts: 7,761	Thanks guys! You're a real help! __________________ If you can't fix it with heavy squats or fish oil, you're probably going to die.

05-05-09, 10:36 AM	#13
The Doc BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ft. Bragg, NC Posts: 270	You might want to check out a norman Suspend deep little N in a nutter shad or a sunfish pattern. It's gonna dive to the depth that you are looking at, and because it suspends, you can keep it in the strike zone a little longer. Here's the link: http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/descp...MAN-NSDLN.html __________________ In the absence of orders, find something and kill it. Unk, 82nd ABN WWII

05-05-09, 12:23 PM	#14
ruasoonerfan2 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waurika, OK Posts: 46	bluegill colored rat l trap would be one of my choices, had the same thing at small lake I fish here in OK. Bluegill was the food source and I went with spinnerbaits and swimbaits but got best results from rat l traps. Hope that helps and good luck.

05-05-09, 01:20 PM	#15
Raul BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,030	This is what I use in lakes where bluegill is the main forage: Crankbaits Spinnerbaits Jigs Soft plastics: worms, tubes, grubs, creatures, stickbaits, jerkbaits. Topwaters This is what I use where tilapia is the main forage: Crankbaits Spinnerbaits Jigs Soft plastics: worms, tubes, grubs, creatures, stickbaits, jerkbaits. Topwaters This is what I use where minnows, shiners and carp are the main forage: Crankbaits Spinnerbaits Jigs Soft plastics: worms, tubes, grubs, creatures, stickbaits, jerkbaits. Topwaters I don´t bother to "match" the finish on my baits to bluegill color patterns.

05-05-09, 01:30 PM	#16
MississippiBoy BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ridgeland MS Posts: 3,923	Sensing a pattern here...maybe a hint of sarcasm, too.... But wait, what do you use when the main forage is crawfish? __________________ I smell smoke, and I hear sirens. Do you think that's a problem?

05-05-09, 02:08 PM	#19
Bassboss BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Shawano, WI Posts: 7,761	Thanks guys, raul, I'll try some top waters, have not used those yet! also I agee with you some. you would not have to "match" the color of forage with worms, and top waters, I don't think the color blue gill on a worm will match a blue gill very well..... totally different profile! JB and photog! I looked at the storm swimbait online, at bps, and the storm web sight, I could not find that color? I could find something like it with a chartuess tail though. Could one of y'all give me a link to one with that color? Thanks fellers __________________ If you can't fix it with heavy squats or fish oil, you're probably going to die.

05-05-09, 02:13 PM	#20
Raul BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,030	That pond looks pretty much like the ponds I fish around my neck of the woods, Baby Torpedos and poppers do a killing when the conditions are right, plus, it´s really fun to fish with them.

05-05-09, 05:54 PM	#22
chief7101 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Grove City, PA Posts: 17	maybe try some rage tail toads....you'll be surprised!!

05-05-09, 07:43 PM	#24
BigBassin144 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 9,463	Hey man if you're trying topwaters, pick on an XCalibur (no E in the beginning) Jimmy. It's my favorite walk-the-dog bait. Walks much easier than a zara spook or a rapala skitterwalk, and it cheaper than a LC Sammy. BB __________________ As of June 14, 2014 the members of the BF.com forum have moved to basschat.yuku.com!

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