Took the kids to Mantua on Saturday and the Bluegills started biting about 8:30. We got a lot of strikes but those BGs were "stayin' alive" as it seems like we lost more than we kept before we could get them to shore. Any suggestions as to how to keep the fish on the line better? We were using nightcrawlers and I know part of the problem might be that we use fairly large pieces of worm (I find I get more hits that way, and the occasional bass).
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Quote: If you see some grasshoppers and they are easy to catch them some big bg would love to munch on those.
How did you rig them? Behind a bubble?
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Use less bait. A chunk of nightcrawler, size 6 hooks and a bobber can be deadly at Mantua. Glad to hear you got into some bluegills. Was there any size to them?
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So are those 1" Gulp Alive minnows. But don't tell anybody, ok? LOL!
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[quote EvilTyeDyeTwin]Use less bait. A chunk of nightcrawler, size 6 hooks and a bobber can be deadly at Mantua. Glad to hear you got into some bluegills. Was there any size to them?[/quote]
Yeah. It seems like every time we go up we get one or two "keepers" but it sure seems from the feel of it like we end up letting just as many get away. They're so tasty in fish tacos, I just wish we could pull more in.
As for using less bait, it seems like if I use just enough worm to cover a size 6 hook, I don't get many strikes. I do think I need to get me some slip bobbers. I think the 'gills are feeling the weight of the bobbers and letting go....Then again, there are several times when I'll reel a fish in for 10-20 yards, and they let go just as I get them to shore.
I'm also wondering if I should try out an ultralight rod. Currently I use an Ugly Stik medium action with 8 lb. test and I think I might need something lighter in order to detect more hits. I'm going to Cabelas tomorrow to load up on gear and hopefully tomorrow night I can test it out up there.
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Use a small hook, I like gamakatsu drop shot size 4. All you need is a tiny chunk of worm maybe quarter to no more than half inch. My bobber usually sinks upon hitting the water at mantua or within 5 to ten seconds. They don't need a big worm to strike for sure. Bluegills at mantua are educated though. They can be smart at times. There's always a group of dumb ones to have fun with though. Mantua is tough for gills this year. Its seems a good percent of the big blues died, they have not shown up at the usual summer spots. Small gills are all over still.
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