Big Sunnies

[MN Ryder]

Having problems catching big bluegills.  How deep are you finding keeper sunnies? 

[toofuss]

4ft-40ft depends on the lake lol

[Fishlip off the hook]

4ft-40ft depends on the lake lol

Soooooooo true 

[bmxrider11976]

normally between 6-15 foot for me. Like they said, it depends on the lake.

[fishm_n]

Gills are totally different than sunnies.

Down Size your rig for Blue Gills. They have a smaller mouth.

Are you useing a camera or just a pole in the hole sonar??

If the water is clear cover your head and look down, you may be able to see some thing.

When you do catch something, cut it open and see what is in its belly. and then see what you have that could imitate it.

An active feeding fish should atract other active fish, so keep fishing if yuou catch one.

[nocsious]

I think the most important aspect of catching large sunfish is to make sure you are fishing a lake that produces good numbers of large sunfish.  Many lakes do not.  If your state or province does lake surveys, they are a good resource to find likely places to focus your efforts.  That said, the best lakes are generally off the beaten path, low fishing pressure, and/or private.

[Pickeralpicker91]

I think the most important aspect of catching large sunfish is to make sure you are fishing a lake that produces good numbers of large sunfish.  Many lakes do not.  If your state or province does lake surveys, they are a good resource to find likely places to focus your efforts.  That said, the best lakes are generally off the beaten path, low fishing pressure, and/or private.

couldn't have said it better.   I'm fortunate to have lakes around where it is almost hard to find gills less than 8 inches.  You just need to find the right body of water and you'll catch them.

[MN Ryder]

Guess I wasn't clear enough: In relationship to the depth of the lake you are fishing, how deep are you catching keeper bluegills this time of year and what distance do you find that they are positioned: just off the bottom or the distance from the bottom or the ice?    I fish some lakes that I haven't fished before and am trying to figure out where the keeper bluegills are in these lakes --- these are not my home-ice lakes which of course are easy to figure out.

[bmxrider11976]

Guess I wasn't clear enough: In relationship to the depth of the lake you are fishing, how deep are you catching keeper bluegills this time of year and what distance do you find that they are positioned: just off the bottom or the distance from the bottom or the ice?    I fish some lakes that I haven't fished before and am trying to figure out where the keeper bluegills are in these lakes --- these are not my home-ice lakes which of course are easy to figure out.

Gills don't typically suspend like some other fish might, unless there is an upright structure they are attracted to. I normally start by dropping my jig and watching it on my finder til its about 2 foot above the bottom, sit there, and jig it for 10-15 seconds. In that time I expect the aggressive fish to notice it, and come to eat. If not, drop it down in increments and repeat until I reach bottom. At that point I pound the jig a few times to stir things up. Then I'll take up about a foot of line, and jig/let the jig sit still. This whole process takes about 3 minutes. If I don't catch or mark a fish in that time, I move on. Pay attention to any mudflats you might find on you lake that likely carry some weeds during the warm seasons. I know its hard to see contours under the ice, but try to find a map. Putting up your actual location may be more beneficial, and you may get some help from locals

[MN Ryder]

Thanks for the info, then you're fishing fairly shallow at this stage due to the weeds & other cover

[bmxrider11976]

Thanks for the info, then you're fishing fairly shallow at this stage due to the weeds & other cover

Correct. Right now I'm fishing weed beds that have died down but still have live growth in them. Lots of little bugs swimming around in there.

[MN Ryder]

makes sense, thanks!