Bert Swope
When it comes to bluegill fishing, summertime is one of the best times to catch these small, panfish. However, the window is short, and the fish suddenly appear and disappear. Early July, for example, can be empty of bluegills, but late July and August can have them by the hundreds. By September, bluegills tend to abruptly exit the shallow-water zones and move on to deeper water. While fishing in deeper waters is more effective than fishing in shallow-water bodies, it requires significant time and patience in searching for these fish. You’ll need good sonar equipment to help you with this process.
Lakes
When choosing a lake to fish for bluegill in the summer, it is important to consider the timing of the bluegill’s arrival. Bluegills are absent in deep water during the first few weeks of July, but by late July, the deep-water zones are full of bluegills. Then, by early September, bluegills abruptly leave the water. Deep-water fishing is not as productive as fishing in shallow water, since it requires a large amount of time and patience to search for fish. In addition, it requires high-quality sonar to locate the fish.
When water temperatures reach 70 to 75 degrees F, bluegill spawn. During this time, males sweep their dish-shaped nests out of the water and become aggressive to protect them from intruders and predators. Bluegills will stay in shallow water for up to a month following spawning.
Ponds
Bluegills can be found in many different types of water bodies. Some are relatively shallow and others are deeper. Bluegills are often found close to cover and shady areas. While most are small, the larger species may be found in deeper bodies of water.
Ponds are great places to find bluegill during the summer. The water levels in ponds are usually higher than in lakes, so you can expect a better chance of catching fish. When fishing in shallow ponds, make sure you are not disturbing the fish or disrupting their habitat. It is also important to keep your casting noise low and silent. For best results, cast parallel to the bank rather than straight out. Likewise, if the pond has shallow water, use a small float instead of a large one. This will avoid presenting a large overhead image to the fish.
During the month of June, bluegills are particularly susceptible to fly fishermen. They are on their spawning beds in shallow water, and the biggest ones are often found near the bank or under the arch of the brush. An experienced flyrod angler can lay a popper, rubber spider, or fly in tight areas to catch the biggest bluegill.
Rivers
During the summer, river backwaters can be excellent spots to catch bluegills. They are usually only a few feet deep, so the slip bobber rig is an excellent choice. Using two baits in one line can help you target two bluegills at once.
The best time to fish for bluegill near shore is in the morning. Bluegill will feed on plankton in shallow water. The water is cooler and less cloudy in the morning, making fishing easier. Additionally, the insect and mosquito population is low during the early hours of the day. Once the sun rises, grasshoppers will begin to emerge and bluegill will move up close to shore to feed.
The best spots to catch bluegill during the summer are in weedy protected bays with a gravel or sandy bottom. Look for elephant tracks to locate nests and other areas where bluegills spawn. When fishing these areas, use small live bait.
Submerged weeds
If you want to catch bluegill in the summer, fishing near submerged weeds is best. These little fish aren’t hard to catch. They’ll take a light tippet in clear water, but larger fish will get spooked by a heavy leader.
Submerged weeds are excellent places to target panfish. To fish in these areas, be sure to use a good anchor and plenty of line. To catch panfish, you can use a small jig in the size of 12 or a slip float. If you’re fishing near weeds, you’ll need to pay special attention to the depth of the water as the wind in the weeds will move your baits around.
Bluegill will hang out near submerged weeds in shallow lakes and ponds. These aquatic vegetation are attractive to bluegill because it holds food for them. Bluegill usually stay near the shoreline in these shallow areas and around brush in 15 to 20 feet of water. However, in the warmer months, they’ll head back out into deeper water to wait out the warmer days.
Nightcrawlers
Nightcrawler fishing for bluegills is a simple method. Bluegills feed on insects of all kinds, including small crustaceans and caterpillars. You can catch them in many areas, from overtops and weeds to shallow water and creek channels. Just dangle a jig in front of them, and you’ll be rewarded with strikes!
Using mealworms is another good way to catch bluegill in the summer. These are hardy worms with an odor that bluegills find attractive. The meaty outer shell of mealworms releases a scent that attracts them. While nightcrawlers are the most popular bluegill baits, you can also use worms or wax worms. When using nightcrawlers, you should break them into segments so that they’re more attractive to the bluegills.
The most effective time to fish for bluegill is before dawn or after sunset. Bluegills will often come to the surface in the early morning hours to feed. They can also be seen feeding in deep holes. If you have sonar or electronic devices, use these tools to locate their hiding spots. Even if you aren’t able to find them, you can still catch some of them with nightcrawlers.
Small bait hooks
If you plan on fishing for bluegill in the summer, you should buy small bait hooks in size 4. This is because larger hooks can strip bluegills off of their bait. Moreover, small hooks can give you better hook sets. You also don’t need to use snelled hooks. But, you should make sure that your hooks are sharp and small.
Bluegills have a very tiny mouth, and small bait hooks are the best choice. Normally, no. 6 to 10 hooks are used. The hook’s small size matches perfectly with the bait’s size. Moreover, smaller hooks are easier to remove from bluegills. Also, smaller lures are more effective than larger ones. For example, sunfish jigs, popular in summer, have a hook size of 1/32 to 1/16 ounce. Similarly, spinners and spoons have small hooks.
If you want to use live bait, you should use grasshoppers, worms, and crickets. For best results, use small bait hooks in size six to 10. Using worms is easier than using other live baits. Also, make sure that your bait is natural looking.
Approaching water’s edge
Approaching the water’s edge when fishing for bluegill in the summer means lowering the lure slightly and using a small bobber to lure fish into the shallows. It’s also a good time to throw small jigs into weeds and brush areas to attract bluegill. Fish can also be finicky, but you’ll have more success if you approach them at dawn and dusk.
Bigger bluegills go deeper for food and are most likely to be held near or inside cover. In summer, their diets consist mainly of aquatic insects. The study at Richmond Lake, South Dakota, reveals that larger bluegills move deeper for food and rely less on zooplankton. They mainly feed on aquatic insects, which live in weed beds. Anglers can use these findings to determine the best locations and baits to use in weed beds.
Whether you’re looking for small, medium, or large bluegill, approach the edge of water. In shallower water, bluegill will usually be small. In deeper water, however, they may be bigger. These ‘gills are often easy to catch with soft plastics or worms. You can also try flyfishing for them. They can be found in many types of water bodies, and they tend to hang out in areas where they can see their prey.
Using nightcrawlers
One of the most effective methods for catching bluegill during the summer months is using nightcrawlers. These baits are effective because they imitate the action of living creatures, which attract bluegill to eat them. They are also effective because they are available in many types of colors, including neon green and neon blue.
Most fishermen break down nightcrawlers to make smaller baits. They then thread these small segments on small bait hooks. However, nightcrawlers are also effective when fished whole. During the late winter, the oxygen influx energizes bluegill, and they should begin biting again.
If you want to find larger bluegill, try fishing in deeper water. These fish prefer transition areas, 15 to 30 feet deep. Look for drop-offs and the tips of offshore humps, where they tend to congregate. When you spot these bluegills, use a jig with worm or soft plastic. Flyfishing is also a great method for catching bluegill.
Behavior traits
If you’re fishing for bluegill, you will likely notice their unique behavior. Similar to largemouth bass, bluegills don’t like wandering around and will form a group of their own. These groups will stay in a particular area, either off a bay or point, and are very territorial. They will often strike at anything that tries to intrude on their nests.
One of the best ways to spot bluegills is to fish near deep areas. In shallow lakes, deep weed edges and rockpiles are ideal. Bluegills will also be near deep structures such as stumps and overhanging timber. Deep water is a great place to find bluegills, but you will have to spend time searching for them.
Another important trait in bluegill is their ability to absorb food. Bluegills need a healthy diet and need to be fed often. Frequent feeding will also help reduce the formation of social hierarchies. These hierarchies form when dominant fish chase other fish. A sound feeding regimen will help keep bluegill populations in check.
