DROPSHOTTING BLUEGILLS
>> Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Dropshotting, the popular bass fishing technique, is a variation on an old crappie technique. It is an effective technique for those days when the sun is high and the fish have lockjaw.
Bluegill anglers like to pursue “lunker gills” during the warm summer months and find them in the many ponds and lakes of the area. Lakes such as Crab Orchard Lake, Devils Kitchen, Little Grassy and Lake of Egypt are the best-known bluegill holes. But, there are other ponds in the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge as well as city lakes spread throughout southern Illinois. Where there is water there are bluegills.
Dropshotting is a finesse presentation that is also known as controlled depth fishing.
It is particularly effective with light line regardless the type of rod and reel combination. For flooded brush fishing a long rod with four to 6 pound line is recommended. In jigging situations from boats stationed over a brush pile shorter rods can be effective.
Rig the line by tying a Palomar knot in the line, about 18 inches from the end, with a very long tag end. The Palomar knot is tied as follows: Double the line and form a loop three to four inches in length. Pass the end of the loop through the hook’s eye. Hold the standing line between thumb and finger, grasp loop with free hand and form a simple overhand knot. Pass the hook through the loop and draw line while guiding loop over top of eyelet. Pull the tag end of the line to tighten the knot snugly. Do not trim the tag end.
To the end of the line (on the tag end) attach a sinker. This can be a split shot sinker, but remember to tie a small overhand knot to the very end. It helps to keep the sinker from slipping off the end when caught in brush or rocks.
A piece of nightcrawler is threaded onto the hook. When the line is dropped into the water the worm and hook float above the sinker. Thus as the rod tip is moved, the action is applied to the bait not the sinker.
This rig can be cast, jigged or drifted. The key is to not move quickly. The idea is to wiggle the bait, not jerk it. Cast it out and let the bait sink. Watch the line float, twitch it and watch it float. Give it a shake occasionally which will cause the worm to twitch.
Bluegills relate to vertical structure such as sticks, trees and other vegetation in the water. On hot, sunny days they will seek out areas shaded from overhead light. This can be under docks, or a tree hanging over the water.
Fishing for these members of the sunfish family is a great way to introduce children to the sport as well as provide some tasty eating for the family table.
Don Gasaway - The Ground Pounder
http://www.dongasaway.wordpress.com/
Bluegill anglers like to pursue “lunker gills” during the warm summer months and find them in the many ponds and lakes of the area. Lakes such as Crab Orchard Lake, Devils Kitchen, Little Grassy and Lake of Egypt are the best-known bluegill holes. But, there are other ponds in the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge as well as city lakes spread throughout southern Illinois. Where there is water there are bluegills.
Dropshotting is a finesse presentation that is also known as controlled depth fishing.
It is particularly effective with light line regardless the type of rod and reel combination. For flooded brush fishing a long rod with four to 6 pound line is recommended. In jigging situations from boats stationed over a brush pile shorter rods can be effective.
Rig the line by tying a Palomar knot in the line, about 18 inches from the end, with a very long tag end. The Palomar knot is tied as follows: Double the line and form a loop three to four inches in length. Pass the end of the loop through the hook’s eye. Hold the standing line between thumb and finger, grasp loop with free hand and form a simple overhand knot. Pass the hook through the loop and draw line while guiding loop over top of eyelet. Pull the tag end of the line to tighten the knot snugly. Do not trim the tag end.
To the end of the line (on the tag end) attach a sinker. This can be a split shot sinker, but remember to tie a small overhand knot to the very end. It helps to keep the sinker from slipping off the end when caught in brush or rocks.
A piece of nightcrawler is threaded onto the hook. When the line is dropped into the water the worm and hook float above the sinker. Thus as the rod tip is moved, the action is applied to the bait not the sinker.
This rig can be cast, jigged or drifted. The key is to not move quickly. The idea is to wiggle the bait, not jerk it. Cast it out and let the bait sink. Watch the line float, twitch it and watch it float. Give it a shake occasionally which will cause the worm to twitch.
Bluegills relate to vertical structure such as sticks, trees and other vegetation in the water. On hot, sunny days they will seek out areas shaded from overhead light. This can be under docks, or a tree hanging over the water.
Fishing for these members of the sunfish family is a great way to introduce children to the sport as well as provide some tasty eating for the family table.
Don Gasaway - The Ground Pounder
http://www.dongasaway.wordpress.com/
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