bpm2000 Posted January 11, 2009 Posted January 11, 2009 I ask not so I can use live bluegills, but most effectively use the myriad of bluegill swimbaits out there to increase my catch size. I've done pretty well with bluegill sbs in the past but I am having trouble getting out of the 3-5lb class fish most of the time. I do understand this is as much a function of where I am fishing these vs what. So for those of you who use live bluegill as bait, what is your "preferred" size for targeting big bass? I have read several accounts of bass neglecting bluegills once they surpass a certain size due to the possibility of choking. There are baits on the market from 3~7" and I know they all get bit too, but there must be a "sweet spot". The spawn tactic is an obvious one (but not a favorite of mine), but care to share on any other bluegill behaviors/subtle nuances of their movement, habitat, disposition, etc that would also be relevant? thx in advance - i know there are a lot of good bluegill-savvy sticks around here! Quote
Randall Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 For bass 6lbs-16lbs the Mattlures baits are the perfect size. The baits larger than those will sometimes get bit but way less often even from big fish. I shortened the tail on my Tru-Tungsten Bluegill and caught way more big fish once I took about an inch off the tail. Quote
Jake. Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 This might not happen at every body of water, but it does at one in particular I fish at. All of the decent and larger bass in there (4+lbs.) all feed on slab bluegill exclusively as far as I know. They often steal the biggest bluegill we catch right off our UL rigs, or right after we release them. They only seem to go after the biggest ones. It's pretty awesome when you see them go after one. Quote
BassinBoy Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 Mattlures do look great for the Bluegill swimbaits Quote
SoFl-native Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 For bass 6lbs-16lbs the Mattlures baits are the perfect size. What about the 17 pounders? haha Quote
bpm2000 Posted January 12, 2009 Author Posted January 12, 2009 For bass 6lbs-16lbs the Mattlures baits are the perfect size. What about the 17 pounders? haha Hahaha i would ask that too cept we dont got any of those here - if I get a DD ill be happier than a pig in **** in WA. Quote
BassBandit35 Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 For me, good size of bluegill for bass would be between 3 to 4". How I know this, my buddy and I have done some night fishing for cats with live gills and landed a couple of good size bass with em. Quote
Randall Posted January 13, 2009 Posted January 13, 2009 For bass 6lbs-16lbs the Mattlures baits are the perfect size. What about the 17 pounders? haha When I catch one I will let you know. Right now I can only tell you what the fish up to 16lbs prefered. But, I am really wanting to skip over all those teen fish and just go straight to 23 lbs. Quote
Turtle. Posted January 13, 2009 Posted January 13, 2009 2.9lbers don't seem to mind much either Quote
Mattlures Posted January 13, 2009 Posted January 13, 2009 17 lbers love 5in gills. I dont know about 18lbers though ;D Quote
Super User Bassin_Fin@tic Posted January 13, 2009 Super User Posted January 13, 2009 Jesus Matt! That girl looks like she could swallow your head! ;D Quote
Super User firefightn15 Posted January 13, 2009 Super User Posted January 13, 2009 Now that's a fish. Wow Matt! Quote
Turtle. Posted January 13, 2009 Posted January 13, 2009 WOW Matt that is awesome, truly one beautiful fish and could swallow mine. ;D A Lot of northern folks think that bait is to big to throw up here.Just wanted to show that your 5in gills are so realistic that bass of all sizes love them. Again, great bait thanks for making them. Quote
Joey Posted January 13, 2009 Posted January 13, 2009 Congrats Matt. Mattlures is the way to go. Quote
bpm2000 Posted January 13, 2009 Author Posted January 13, 2009 So general consensus seems to be to stay away from those larger BG baits then. Any specific techniques with them anyone wants to share? Matt that fish is ridiculous man! I need one of those in March (back back to cali woo) EDIT: also - is there a reason to pick a male or female BG pattern over the other? I am having trouble deciding which of matts new hardbaits to add to the arsenal, and no, I dont have the $ to buy them all Quote
Mottfia Posted January 14, 2009 Posted January 14, 2009 Dude, Awesome Bass!!! and those baits are incredibly realistic. Quote
dj T nasty 69 Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 omg i never knew a bass got that big....i bet it was hard to land ..good fish you the man..... LOL Quote
BassFishingMachine Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 d**n Matt, you lucky son of a gun... You don't know how much I wish we had bass like that in Jersey.. The only shot I have at a fish like that is plugging the beaches, that'll do though . Quote
fishintroop Posted February 3, 2009 Posted February 3, 2009 I guess that is proof to give them babies a try Quote
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