big gills just looking at my jig?!?!?!

[TeeBugg]

Was able to sight fish in the clam today and had quite a few big gills swim in, stare at my jig from about 2" away from it. What gives? If i left it dead stick they would swim away, if i lightly jigged they would swim away. Using a red gill pill and a single spike. I did manage to come home with 4 decent gills that inhaled this setup, but those big ones had me stumped! Any ideas?

[SKUNK-MASTER]

were you on honeoye?     man they can be tough over there     try some waxies or mousies if you can find them.   also sometimes those bulls really like plastics

[TeeBugg]

Nope just a local pond. Honeoye might be next weekend. All i had was spikes and mealworms with me today. And plastics i tried a bunch but no go. Im gonna check the stomachs of the ones i brought home and see what they are eating.

[Swift]

When in doubt, smaller and darker with plastics. Sounds like the strange times where a #3mm or even #2.5mm Wolfram on 1#. or less, line is the ticket. Jig + Plastic OAL of 1/4", 3/8" - 1/2" MAX. They're curious, not overly hungry but will munch if offered, maybe.  Hate the situation but it happens more often than most think. Other option, quit and go home

[TeeBugg]

Never quit! Im gonna take that advice when i go tomorow! Hoping i can come home with a few more

[chumster]

Make sure the tip of your hook isn't showing. They wont touch a bait on some lakes i fish when it's showing. When i see them come up to my bait on my electronics, and back away, i know my hook is showing so i pull up and make sure it's covered.

[TeeBugg]

Ive gotta go through my  plastics selection tonite. Figure out small but with some movement. Ill see what i have as far as the hook tip goes...right now im thinking the berkley atomic fry in 1/80th is the smallest i have

[bigstorm]

I had a similar problem where I was on Saturday, watched them on the camera come up and stare then swim off. Ended up downsizing to a #12 gill pill that was green and got more action. Orignally was trying orage/chart teardrops and #10 ratsos.

[bigredonice]

Using a red gill pill and a single spike.

there's your problem.   You need to switch up and experiment, find a combo that gets the fish biting.  Change color, jig size, jig style.  Try 3 grubs maybe.  Also, like others have said, plastic tails help alot, especially with big bluegills. I always have 2 or 3 styles and colors with me to experiment with. 

also, try different jigging cadences.   For finnicky fish, i love 'pumping' the rod.

[HuntHard]

Change it up Change it up Change it up Till it works

[TeeBugg]

there's your problem.   You need to switch up and experiment, find a combo that gets the fish biting.  Change color, jig size, jig style.  Try 3 grubs maybe.  Also, like others have said, plastic tails help alot, especially with big bluegills. I always have 2 or 3 styles and colors with me to experiment with. 

also, try different jigging cadences.   For finnicky fish, i love 'pumping' the rod.

Caught some more today on the red gill pill, as well as firetiger. Single or two spikes, berkely atomic fishfry(smallest one you can get) seemed to work the best. Tried some makis, spaghetti ball legs, j&s mites....tried them all and just lookers. Tried all different cadences but what worked the best was lightly moving the spring bobber then dead stick...they would hit on the pause.

[Townie]

Of the largest gills I've watched approach my jig on cam, they are the 1st to swim up through the others, you have but one shot at a hook-up. You miss and they're gone...