Bluegill starting to bite as weather stays cool

Good day everyone,  I hope everyone's weekend was good.

The weather was a little chilly each morning but by 4 or 5 p.m. it would get nicer.

Saw a lot of activity on the lake despite the cooler temperatures. Spring is taking its time this year. It gives us a little more time later into the season of catching crappie and bluegills. I have noticed the bluegills are starting to bed up and get ready to spawn and I think some have already started. That's been a really nice surprise the last couple of years.

I have noticed the average size bluegill is getting nicer each year. There isn't any other fish that size anymore fun to catch than a 7-9-inch bluegill. They are super easy to catch and target for the whole family. Let's talk about set up for them just a bit.

I like my 10-foot Outlaw crappie pole for them. I use six-pound slime line monofilament. Mike at Spillway Bait and Tackle at Lake Loramie makes ants, ice blades and tiny 1/64 hand tied jigs specifically for big bluegill. These items are available at Eastside Bait and Tackle in St. Marys.

Then I would tip these jigs, or ants with a wax worm and hold on. These bluegill will spin around circles while trying to get off your hook. There are a lot of them in a bed, so there will be a lot of bites for the whole family to stay busy and to enjoy. They fry perfect as well for eating.

Fish about a foot from the bank whether it's a rock bank or wooded bank.

The weather looking ahead looks much warmer. Get out and enjoy our beautiful Grand Lake.