Sunday, March 23, 2014

Starting My Bluegill Quest for 2014

Well after weeks of trying to find someone to manage Walker County Lake; the Game and Fish Department in Montgomery found their guy. He opened the lake Friday for the first day of fishing and there were a lot of fisherman including me glad to be there. This lake has some of the largest bluegills I have ever landed, and today I was hoping I would connect with a few.
This bench will be occupied in the coming weeks as the weather warms.
I was anxious to try out my new Pelican 10 ft. boat. I sold my 8 ft. Pelcian back in January to make room with this boat for my grandson and his Dad on future fishing trips. What impresses me about this model is how stable the boat is even when one is standing and casting.
My first bluegill of the season, not the big bull I am accustom to, but a good fight on the 4 weight.
This one almost qualified for the goal this year of 50 super size bull bluegills during the spawning season. Notice I said 50, my wife retired in December, and she informed me the other day that we were going to be traveling during the spring and summer months. I would say between the traveling and fishing my bluegill goal will be cut from my previous 100 goal in years past to my goal of 50 for this year. 
Nice female at one of the areas where these fish spawn every year. The water temp was too cold for any top action. The super nymph was my go to fly today it worked well in depths 6 to 8 ft.
This little bass nailed the nymph really close to the dock, just as I was getting ready to take out. The wind today made for some innovative casting and also gave me a severe sinus infection. It will take me the better part of the week to recover, but still the trip was worth it.
 
 
 
 
 
 


23 comments:

  1. Great outing, and I'm sure you'll surpass your goal if that lake has the bluegill you speak of, even with the shortened time to fish it.

    Good luck!

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  2. Congratulations to you, Bill, on the beginning of another years quest for big Bluegill. Sure wished I lived closer. We could "horse" some of those big ones together. Dream on, Mel!

    The 'Gills really look like a healthy bunch. Don't let the wife talk you out of catching any less than the 50 you have as your goal.

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  3. I'm happy you got out my friend. This is the time of year where I really pay attention to what Bill is doing.

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  4. Interesting how the Boss speaks and OUR goals change. You noted all the camping for me this summer.

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  5. Justin
    There are gills in this lake that will snap a 5X tippet. I have had that to happen with some of the Shellcrackers and a few of the super size bluegills. Thanks for the comment

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  6. Mel
    I wish we didn't live so far apart; I would certainly share the boat with you on one of my outings. Thanks for the comment

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  7. Howard
    It just seem like yesterday I was starting my quest--how time flies. Thanks for the comment

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  8. Mark
    I know what you mean about the Boss thing. thanks for the comment

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  9. Nice 'Gills, looks like you had a good time on the water! Everything's still frozen here in MN, looks like another few weeks of ice fishing...can't wait to catch some bluegills on a fly rod! Have fun with the new boat and good luck with your quest.

    Conner

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  10. Nice to hear you are pursuing the Bluegill again Bill! When you and the wife travel make sure and take that rod! Nice fish and glad the new rig works for ya. Tis the season for sinus infections...one has been kickin my butt! Take care and tight lines!

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  11. Brothers
    I hope you guys are able to make out on the water soon--I am going to give the Tellico nymph a try on Smith soon. Thanks for the comment

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  12. Al
    Sinus infections are no fun, I usually get a bad one this time of year. I am so impressed with the Pelican boat. I spent the better part of the trip standing in it while casting. Thanks for the comment

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  13. Alan
    I may make the quest this year. Thanks for the comment

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  14. this has been one of my favorite things to follow along with

    here's to a hell of a 2014 quest!

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  15. Dang, you're hooking up with them already? The action is heating up here to but work and family obligations keep getting in the way.

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  16. Blake
    Glad you enjoy my quest, I am hoping someone else will start their own quest this year as well. Thanks for the comment

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  17. Kevin
    This was actually late for me, I should have been fishing this lake 2 weeks ago. Management problems keep me away. Thanks for the comment

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  18. Mel, Great job! I love the boat, that thing is nice! What would you consider a bull blue gill? Also how do you tell the difference between a male and a female gill?

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  19. By the way, I think I called you mel, bill! haha my apologies

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  20. Juan
    I bought that boat at Academy Sports--I was standing in it more than I was sitting, the other day while I was casting. It is extremely stable.
    The width and color marks the difference in the male and female bluegill. The female is always lighter and isn't as dark and colorful as the big super size males. If you notice the three I landed the other day there were two small males which were younger than the big bulls, next year they will become much darker and of course much bigger. The females are never dark and smaller than the big bulls. I have landed some nice females on this lake but they are always smaller than the big males. I consider a big bull male over 10 oz. I have landed numbers on this lake in the 12 to 15 oz. I landed some shellcrackers last year in the 1 lb. range. I had my 5X tippet broken last year landing some shellcrackers. I only use a 4X tippet now on the lake now. These fish are unbelievable fighters on the fly rod when they are spawning. Sorry I got a little carried away here with your question, but the bluegill tends to get me excited. Thanks for the comment

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  21. Juan
    Forgiven, I can't think of a nicer guys to be mistaken for.

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  22. That must've been quite exciting! Not only the fishing part, but also trying out your new boat. I hope you enjoyed your trip on that beautiful boat. The size is just perfect, and it looks pretty stable. And the most important part is that you have enough room for a few people on board. There’s no doubt that your future fishing trips with them will be fun.

    Kent Garner @ Whites Marine Center

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