The Basics on Fishing for Bluegill

Bluegills are part of the sunfish family and are called bream, brim and copperbelly in some parts of the country. Bluegills are found from Canada to Florida and as far west as New Mexico and have been successfully introduced in many of the Western states. They are prized by many anglers and have a sweet taste that makes them popular on the dinner table as well.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Ultralight fishing rod and reel 4-pound test fishing monofilament No. 8 long-shanked hook Night crawlers Slip bobber Split shot
Ultralight fishing rod and reel
4-pound test fishing monofilament
No. 8 long-shanked hook
Night crawlers
Slip bobber
Split shot

Step 1

Use an ultralight rod and a spinning reel rigged with 4-pound test monofilament line to catch bluegills. Remember that bluegills do not grow to great sizes, with most weighing less than a pound.

Step 2

Use a No. 8 hook with a long shank. The bluegill has a small mouth, so a longer hook will allow you to remove it much easier.

Step 3

Bait your hook with a small portion of a night crawler or earthworm. Other natural baits that attract bluegills include crickets, mealworms, grasshoppers and grubs; artificial lures like tiny jigs as light as 1/32nd of an ounce and smallish spinners will also do the trick.

Step 4

Fish for bluegills in shallow water in the spring and early summer and in deeper waters in the middle of summer. Use a slip bobber in shallow waters to suspend your bait and small split shots in deeper water.

Step 5

Ice-fish for bluegills in the winter in water that averages 12 to 20 feet deep. Look for the fish near underwater structure such as submerged brush piles and trees. Light ice-fishing rods that can deliver live bait or small jigs fished very slowly will work best.

Tips & Warnings

When using night crawlers, the most common bait for bluegills, place tiny pieces on your hook, which forces the bluegill to nibble closer to the hook than if a larger bit of worm were available.

Article Written By John Lindell

John Lindell has written articles for "The Greyhound Review" and various other online publications. A Connecticut native, his work specializes in sports, fishing and nature. Lindell worked in greyhound racing for 25 years.

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