Bluegill Can Be Finicky

Big bull bluegills can be a challenge. You'll find the little guys by dropping a worm under a bobber but unless the big boys are on the beds in the springtime, you'll have to go deep for them. Bluegills are structure related in deep water though they'll roam to chase food. Zooplankton are microscopic organisms that even 10- to 11-inch fish will eat and are an important reason bluegills will move out into the open water. Try small larval baits along deep weed edges when the bite is tough. Use a slip bobber and don't be afraid to go down as far as 15 or 20 feet during the hot summer afternoons. Big bluegills will be underneath their smaller counterparts and you'll have to fish below the little ones to get to them.