hamer08 Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 I've never used bluegill for bass. When I use them for catfish, I hook them under the dorsel fin with a hook about 2x the width of the bluegill. I've caught some LM bass on cut bluegill on the bottom when fishing for cats. This was in IL also (where its legal to use gills for bait). I may have to try them myself this summer. I can think of a couple of lakes that only have a few large bluegills. These are usually in lakes with activately managed bass and muskie populations.
Del from philly Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 I remember fishing when i was a kid, we would cast out our small bluegill catches and would get hit so hard it broke the line every time. I was thinking maybe a musky, but it would have been 6 or 7+ bass! that hit was the hardest i ever felt.. BTW Dont let these guys put you down.... even tho i agree with them, i hate using live bait, it seems like sometimes a few of the guys on here try and push their beliefs on everyone.... theyre good people, but when they dissagree with a method....WATCH OUT! Â they start with the "thats illegal" comments, and the "thats unethical" comments...... just do what you gotta do to enjoy fishing!
Del from philly Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 Rigging the bluegill: use a big circle hook, and to hook them on, try tying them on with wire or thick fishing line....it works in salt, and might work here too....
Guest muddy Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 I have to make sure I go out and get a copy of  DEL's GUIDE TO ANSWERING POSTS What is wrong with helping someone by letting them know something they are asking about may be illegal????? GEEZZ!!!!
Rayraff Posted February 26, 2008 Author Posted February 26, 2008 In salt water you can actually tie the fish's nostril to a hook but I don't know if that will work with a blue gill
Super User bigbill Posted February 26, 2008 Super User Posted February 26, 2008 Its a fact that the bigger bass only eat bluegills/sunfish as a regular diet. Â I use only bluegill lures and jig with then like the bluegill is in trouble making it an easy prey for the bass. Â I have also found out the bigger bass are close to shore in the dark and low light situations ambushing the bait. Â If your really stealthy in the dark and quiet with your tacklbox you can do really good fishing from shore. Â Walk softly too they do get ground vibrations as you walk too. Even wear dark clothes too, camo is better. Â It can truely pay off when we do it right even from shore.
Guest muddy Posted February 26, 2008 Posted February 26, 2008 Thats not a fact everywhere and on every body of water. Check out those Cali trout fed bass, on the susqy here it's crawfish, on some bigger impoundments it may be Shad! Â Where I live there are some ponds that the bluegill is definitely what the bass are eating, On Tuscaroa, i would wager crawfish. Bass are abushers and will eat whatever looks like a meal, I wouldnt eliminate any possibility when fishing for them
Super User roadwarrior Posted February 26, 2008 Super User Posted February 26, 2008 Its a fact that the bigger bass only eat bluegills/sunfish as a regular diet. Hmm... I don't know where you heard that, but nothing could be further from the truth. On certain bodies of water, bass or any other predator may have a preference for certain prey, but in the waters I fish bluegill are definitely not the primary forage. 8-)
HesterIsGod Posted February 26, 2008 Posted February 26, 2008 Its a fact that the bigger bass only eat bluegills/sunfish as a regular diet. Hmm... I don't know where you heard that, but nothing could be further from the truth. On certain bodies of water, bass or any other predator may have a preference for certain prey, but in the waters I fish bluegill are definitely not the primary forage. 8-) Youre right RW. In fact, many accomplished fisheries bioligists believe bass will not eat bluegill if their is an ample amount of other kinds of prey available. The only reason the bass strike the bluegill is because of territorial or predatorial instincts. Bass usually much prefer a soft shelled crawfish or a soft shad or trout to a spiney bluegill.
Rayraff Posted February 27, 2008 Author Posted February 27, 2008 Even wear dark clothes too, camo is better. Â It can truely pay off when we do it right even from shore. Sorry for bashing on you man but dark clothes are the absolute worst thing you can wear fishing because it's easier for the fish to see you body against the sky. Btw, this pond is the wierdest pond ever... Its about a 1/4 of a square mile and it holds 6lb walleye, 20+lb carp, 10+lb bass, Nice channel catfish and I caught a 35" pike on one of the bluegill. Â They don't just throw the big fish in there because it hasn't been stocked in 10 years. And like I said the ONLY thing that the bass bite are live bluegills, they won't even touch the dead ones.
jwo1124 Posted February 27, 2008 Posted February 27, 2008 I think it is absolutely SADISTIC to use a mammal as fishing bait. Anyone who does that should 1.) Be ashamed of themselves, and 2.) Go to prison for animal abuse. Worms and fish are so primatively evolved I see no problem in using them as bait. They probably forget they are on the hook after you toss them into the water. But using a mouse, or a squirrel or a chipmunk is screwed up. I saw a guy catching small perch to use as "BIG"Bass bait, so I tired catchign a small sunfish to do the same, but I couldn't find it in me to hook the sunny to toss out for a bass to eat...I guess I just felt bad like the fish was better than to be used as bait. Bluegill, even though they are small and annoyign at times, are still gamefish, and I think they deserve more respect than to be used as bait. If you want to use bait(live or dead/cut) to catch bass, or any other gamefish, that's your perogative. I think the only reason bait fishing gets such a bad rap in bass fishing is mostly because everyone is trying to emulate the Pro Anglers who fish for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and they think that by catching bass like them, they are just like them. Similar to when kids go out and buy hundred dollar Air Jordans becasue they "Wanna be like Mike" I guaren...d**n...tee that if Pro Bass Anglers fished with bait in BASS Tournaments no one would have a problem with it and say it is "unsporting". Anyone who denies the claim that they use lures because they try to be like the pro's and the guys on TV are liars. I know because that is the reason I spend so much money on rods, reels, and lures, and tons of other fishing paraphanilia I see advertised by Bill Dance, or KVD, or on any other fishing show on TV. Unless you are practice fishing for a tournament, there is really no reason to shun live bait. Except for the fact you may get a nose or two turned up at you by tournament anglers, and wanna be's. I am probably gonna get some negative feedback by guys going on the defensive, and that wasn;t my intentions. I'm just stating the truth, whether they want to except it or not. I have started not to use bait more often then I do, mainly because getting bait is a hassle, it's expensive($5 for 12 shiners, half of which will fly off the hook on a cast, some will die, an many will get eaten by dink bass. In other words it's gonna be $15 for a good few dozen baits for a fishing trip. If you fish a few times a week it gets expensive.) Then going out of the way to the bait shop, making sure it is open... Plus I have fell into the baitfishing is for kids and the ignorant mentality, which I admit is wrong, since fishing is fishing whether you use lures or bait, niether of which is more prestigous than the other. JUst my opinion, some may like it, some may hate it, others could care less.
HesterIsGod Posted February 27, 2008 Posted February 27, 2008 From what ive read from other posts it looks like in most lakes it is in fact legal to catch bluegill and use them as bait. Around here (N.E Illinois) it is illegal to do that in a lot of lakes/ponds, so that is what i was basing my assumption off of. Sorry if i misguided anybody.
hamer08 Posted February 27, 2008 Posted February 27, 2008 It seems odd to have that as a lake specific regulation, especially given its specially mentioned in the IL fishing regulations. Although you do have to follow creel limitations for harvest (some lakes gills must be 8"). http://dnr.state.il.us/fish/digest/digest.pdf pg 2.
Guest muddy Posted February 27, 2008 Posted February 27, 2008 jwo1124: We all do not fish for the same reasons nor does everyone think just like you. Hey I use artificial baits, because way back in the 60's an older man who taught me about fishin , tied on an Original Floating Rapala in Silver, and i caught my first bass. I do not follow the Pros, and I certainly do not use a lure because some pro does OK I GUESS I AM A D##N LIAR NOW: GEEZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!
Rayraff Posted February 27, 2008 Author Posted February 27, 2008 I fish with live bait if nothing else is working. My dad used to fish tournies and I plan to do the same some day so artificial comes first. On the other hand if I'm not catching cr@p then I'm switching to live because I go fishing to have a good time. Â As for mammals , Â I could never hook a mouse on my hook, but I could tie it to the hook. Â Mice are pests and I kill 10+ a year with traps in my basement. Â I'm not saying I've ever/will use mice for bait but if i did they would be caught with human traps and put in a cage till my next fishing trip. Â The way I see it, I was going to kill them anyway so they might as well be used for something usefull.
skillet Posted February 27, 2008 Posted February 27, 2008 Â Muddy, he said anyone, so I guess that makes 2 ********* liars. There is the old saying about all fishermen being liars. Well, that's all it is an old saying. Have nothing against what anyone uses for bait. It's their karma. I have been using artificial bait since before Bill Dance had a show and am not competitive enough to give a care about pro fishing. You are being REALLY offensive. YOU DON'T KNOW ME!!! Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â As Ever, Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â skillet BTW and NO I don't accept what your version of the truth is....
-ebby- Posted February 27, 2008 Posted February 27, 2008 with the using sunnys for bait- it is illegal where i am to so it is always good to tell someone it might be and to check it out
AKFerzy7 Posted February 27, 2008 Posted February 27, 2008 I think it is absolutely SADISTIC to use a mammal as fishing bait. Anyone who does that should 1.) Be ashamed of themselves, and 2.) Go to prison for animal abuse. Worms and fish are so primatively evolved I see no problem in using them as bait. They probably forget they are on the hook after you toss them into the water. But using a mouse, or a squirrel or a chipmunk is screwed up. I saw a guy catching small perch to use as "BIG"Bass bait, so I tired catchign a small sunfish to do the same, but I couldn't find it in me to hook the sunny to toss out for a bass to eat...I guess I just felt bad like the fish was better than to be used as bait. Bluegill, even though they are small and annoyign at times, are still gamefish, and I think they deserve more respect than to be used as bait. If you want to use bait(live or dead/cut) to catch bass, or any other gamefish, that's your perogative. I think the only reason bait fishing gets such a bad rap in bass fishing is mostly because everyone is trying to emulate the Pro Anglers who fish for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and they think that by catching bass like them, they are just like them. Similar to when kids go out and buy hundred dollar Air Jordans becasue they "Wanna be like Mike" I guaren...d**n...tee that if Pro Bass Anglers fished with bait in BASS Tournaments no one would have a problem with it and say it is "unsporting". Anyone who denies the claim that they use lures because they try to be like the pro's and the guys on TV are god d**n liars. I know because that is the reason I spend so much money on rods, reels, and lures, and tons of other fishing paraphanilia I see advertised by Bill Dance, or KVD, or on any other fishing show on TV. Unless you are practice fishing for a tournament, there is really no reason to shun live bait. Except for the fact you may get a nose or two turned up at you by tournament anglers, and wanna be's. I am probably gonna get some negative feedback by guys going on the defensive, and that wasn;t my intentions. I'm just stating the truth, whether they want to except it or not. I have started not to use bait more often then I do, mainly because getting bait is a hassle, it's expensive($5 for 12 shiners, half of which will fly off the hook on a cast, some will die, an many will get eaten by dink bass. In other words it's gonna be $15 for a good few dozen baits for a fishing trip. If you fish a few times a week it gets expensive.) Then going out of the way to the bait shop, making sure it is open... Plus I have fell into the baitfishing is for kids and the ignorant mentality, which I admit is wrong, since fishing is fishing whether you use lures or bait, niether of which is more prestigous than the other. JUst my opinion, some may like it, some may hate it, others could give two crap$ less. no one cares about your opinion when it contradicts itself in every way. what exactly is so different between the shiners you admit to using for bait and the sun fish you couldnt hook that was " better than to be used as bait." what did you do throw him back in hoping for him to find nemo? what is the difference between a field mouse or any other of god's creatures being used as bait. Ive done it occasionally at a pond so send me to jail I reckon. why dont you go put on your PETA pajamas and hit the sack pal. and by the way i am a tournament angler, i enjoy fishing artificials for bass due to the SPORT of it. that does not mean i turn my nose to anyone fishing just because their not doing it like me. dont be so quick to label a group of people buddy.
AKFerzy7 Posted February 27, 2008 Posted February 27, 2008 and oh yea. bluegill are panfish not gamefish.
Super User burleytog Posted February 27, 2008 Super User Posted February 27, 2008 I think it is absolutely SADISTIC to use a mammal as fishing bait. Anyone who does that should 1.) Be ashamed of themselves, and 2.) Go to prison for animal abuse. Worms and fish are so primatively evolved I see no problem in using them as bait. They probably forget they are on the hook after you toss them into the water. But using a mouse, or a squirrel or a chipmunk is screwed up. I saw a guy catching small perch to use as "BIG"Bass bait, so I tired catchign a small sunfish to do the same, but I couldn't find it in me to hook the sunny to toss out for a bass to eat...I guess I just felt bad like the fish was better than to be used as bait. Bluegill, even though they are small and annoyign at times, are still gamefish, and I think they deserve more respect than to be used as bait. If you want to use bait(live or dead/cut) to catch bass, or any other gamefish, that's your perogative. I think the only reason bait fishing gets such a bad rap in bass fishing is mostly because everyone is trying to emulate the Pro Anglers who fish for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and they think that by catching bass like them, they are just like them. Similar to when kids go out and buy hundred dollar Air Jordans becasue they "Wanna be like Mike" I guaren...d**n...tee that if Pro Bass Anglers fished with bait in BASS Tournaments no one would have a problem with it and say it is "unsporting". Anyone who denies the claim that they use lures because they try to be like the pro's and the guys on TV are god d**n liars. I know because that is the reason I spend so much money on rods, reels, and lures, and tons of other fishing paraphanilia I see advertised by Bill Dance, or KVD, or on any other fishing show on TV. Unless you are practice fishing for a tournament, there is really no reason to shun live bait. Except for the fact you may get a nose or two turned up at you by tournament anglers, and wanna be's. I am probably gonna get some negative feedback by guys going on the defensive, and that wasn;t my intentions. I'm just stating the truth, whether they want to except it or not. I have started not to use bait more often then I do, mainly because getting bait is a hassle, it's expensive($5 for 12 shiners, half of which will fly off the hook on a cast, some will die, an many will get eaten by dink bass. In other words it's gonna be $15 for a good few dozen baits for a fishing trip. If you fish a few times a week it gets expensive.) Then going out of the way to the bait shop, making sure it is open... Plus I have fell into the baitfishing is for kids and the ignorant mentality, which I admit is wrong, since fishing is fishing whether you use lures or bait, niether of which is more prestigous than the other. JUst my opinion, some may like it, some may hate it, others could give two crap$ less. That deserves a big : IBTL...
Super User roadwarrior Posted February 27, 2008 Super User Posted February 27, 2008 ** MODERATOR NOTE** It seems we have drifted a bit off-course overnight. Fishing bluegill and live bait can be discussed again, but this thread is done. -Kent  a.k.a. roadwarrior Global Moderator
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