Florida bluegill, redear in canals?

[1234567]

Hey guys. Lately I've started building an ultralight setup to throw 1/16 or less size jigs and beetlespins. I'm trying to catch some of these monster gills here in Florida.  I have a boat to go to okeechobee but when I run out for a quick session I'm hitting local canals. Where do you guys think these big gills are located in the canals???  I'm only using artificial to catch them. After my first day my bluegill count is ZERO!!  Although the bass will eat these without issue. Am I in the wrong place or is there another artificial lure or technique I should be trying??

 

thanks!!!!

[atcoha]

good question.

When I was a kid, we would walk and fish miles of the s. fl canals. There would be many days without a single bite, let alone even see a fish. 

[soflabasser]

Have caught big bluegills on jerkbaits but have done better using bread(have caught +2 pound,+13" bluegills this way).As for big redear shellcrackers I have done well using live red wiggler worms.If you only want to use lures you can use small flukes,small topwaters,beetle spins,and crappie jigs.

[1234567]

That's what I'm talking about! 2+ pound bluegills are what I'm looking for. I know there here I just can't find em!!  The cichlids are everywhere as well but that's not what I'm targeting. I see bluegills in the canals but have not been able to get one to commit on a beetlespins or small jig yet

[soflabasser]

Have you tried fishing small ponds in your area for big bluegills and redear shellcrackers? I have done much better in small ponds than in canals.The bluegills are bedding at this moment in South Florida so you can catch them off a nest and I find most of these nest in flats with calm water.

[1234567]

I have not tried the ponds yet. Most of them in this area are marked off anyways. There are a couple I'm thinking about trying. What's the conditions on okeechobee as far as the spawn. I havnt been there all year, maybe it's time to go!!

[Oregon Native]

White Berkley nugget or a Berkley Maggot......on a small hook under a small bobber.  No weight....

Amazing