Bluegill Fishing Tips

The bluegill, also known as the copperhead fish, is a freshwater species native to the continent of North America. Over the period, bluegill fishing has become quite a popular activity in North America. This popularity can be attributed to the sheer fact that this fish tastes delicious, and more importantly, you don't need to put in much effort to come up with a good catch. Experts in the field suggest that, success in bluegill fishing by and large depends on a number of factors, including the proper execution of various tips and use of proper equipment.

Simple Tips for Catching Bluegills

We have compiled some of the most simple yet effective tips for fishing bluegill for all you angling enthusiasts out there. Irrespective of which bluegill fishing techniques you resort to, these tips are bound to be of some help for you.

Bluegill spawning season starts somewhere in spring and extends up to early summer. Spawning is at a peak as the temperature of the water crosses the 70 degree Fahrenheit mark. This is the best time to fish bluegill, as the species are known to be quite active in shallow waters near the river banks.

When it comes to bluegill fishing in summer, early mornings and late evenings are the best times to fish considering that the bluegill species are most active during these times. In summer, you are more likely to encounter these species along the edges of weed beds and in the vicinity of river banks.

In winter, you are more likely to come across bluegills in deeper waters, ranging anywhere between 12 to 20 feet. The bluegill species is relatively less active in terms of movement as well as feeding. Taking that into consideration, it is wise to use smaller baits and a light tackle when bluegill fishing in winter.

At the max, bluegills grow to a length of 15-16 inches, and hence it is wiser to keep your baits or lures small in size. Bluegill fishing baits include crickets, earthworms, mealworms, waxworms etc, while bluegill fishing lures include small spinnerbaits, small grubs, ice tick jigs, miniature soft plastics etc. Live baits, such as worms and night crawlers, are much more effective when it comes to bluegill fishing. However, lures are the best bet during the spawning season, wherein males are aggressive enough to bite on to anything they come across.

Using an ultra-light fishing rod and a reel with a light line will enhance your chances to catching bluegills in large numbers. The ultra-light fishing rod will help you in detecting the fish bite on the bait easily, and the light line will easily get camouflaged in water, thus ensuring that the fish won't detect it, even in clear water.

Though there is no doubt about the fact that these fishing tips are effective, you will have to alter them depending on the circumstances that prevail. For instance, when it comes to bluegill fishing in ice, using a jig, i.e. a hand-held rod smaller than the conventional fishing pole, increases your chances of getting a good catch. One thing to keep in mind is that fishing, or any other activity as such, is mastered by practice. You don't have to get disheartened if you don't get a good catch on the first couple of outings. With practice you are bound to get well versed with all the tricks of the trade, and that is bound to show on your haul.