how do you weed thru the lil guys?

[TeeBugg]

I caught a bunch of gills today but the first one was a slob. After that they were all average size. I knew there had to be more down there. Whats the best tips for trying to catch the big boys? Size up? Down? Help!

[blufloyd]

No bait.  Ever.

[TeeBugg]

Plastics?

[blufloyd]

ok.

[TeeBugg]

Ive got a bunch ive been wanting to try. Now seems like the time!

[quivira kid]

Upsizing will sometimes help, too. Big enough baits will make the smaller fish second guess just rushing in.

[TeeBugg]

Kind of the theory i was thinking. Bigger baits could equal bigger fish. Ill have to try it when i go back to the pond

[Swift]

Maybe try a different time of day or at night. The bigger 'gills may not be on the same feeding schedule or after something entirely different. Have found that on many waters the larger 'gills tend to act more like a Crappie than their smaller friends, aka minnow eaters. The smaller Jiggin Rap types or larger horizontal jigs with plastic tails may be the answer if they're down there.

[66birdman]

I had a similar problem so I switched to a 1/8 oz kastmaster and started rockin the bulls

[Van_Cleaver]

I'm with Swift on time of day, and horizontal baits. Some lakes the big boys (or girls) hit best late until well after dark. Maybe it's first light or just after. I also seem to catch all the bigger ones on plastic; yesterday I was getting them mixed in with the crappie. Only difference; big bulls are way stronger than specks. Here's a nice one that hit a 3mm Wolfram with an Impulse tail. So, a small jig but with the tail a bigger overall look. Released after photo.

[Swift]

Excellent fish and on its release.  Keep the eaters and let the solid breeders go about their business.

[fiesty]

big bait equals big fish.......

[TeeBugg]

I'm with Swift on time of day, and horizontal baits. Some lakes the big boys (or girls) hit best late until well after dark. Maybe it's first light or just after. I also seem to catch all the bigger ones on plastic; yesterday I was getting them mixed in with the crappie. Only difference; big bulls are way stronger than specks. Here's a nice one that hit a 3mm Wolfram with an Impulse tail. So, a small jig but with the tail a bigger overall look. Released after photo.
(Image removed from quote.)

Nice fish!

[panfishman13]

something that seems to work pretty well for me is to play keep-away with the more aggressive fish on my vexilar. if another one comes in and slams your jig, it's almost always going to be a bigger fish. if no others come in very quickly, then the big one is the one you're toying with, and you should nail him.

[Whopper Stopper]

Bigger bait and using the camera. I just keep pulling it away from the little ones.

                  WS

[Townie]

Bigger bait and using the camera. I just keep pulling it away from the little ones.

                  WS

X2

[Gillpill]

I'm with Swift on time of day, and horizontal baits. Some lakes the big boys (or girls) hit best late until well after dark. Maybe it's first light or just after. I also seem to catch all the bigger ones on plastic; yesterday I was getting them mixed in with the crappie. Only difference; big bulls are way stronger than specks. Here's a nice one that hit a 3mm Wolfram with an Impulse tail. So, a small jig but with the tail a bigger overall look. Released after photo.
(Image removed from quote.)

thats a beautiful bluegill man, nice catch

[pfscott]

My bigger ones this year have been about 8' off bottom in 20' of water. They didn't seem to want bigger jigs, just small glow red. They wouldn't show up on vex until I reeled up, checked bait, and dropped it down again. Then they would swarm my bait on its way down.

[HUNTnFISHSD]

 Put more bait on the hook.

[Ironeagle]

Upsize your jig or hook em all... Then you will work through em till ya get a big one.