Northwest Fishing Reports

I am just wondering what you guys deem is the ideal hook type and size when targeting blue gill.

I took my kids out today and while they had a blast, they just couldn't connect regardless of what they did.

We used size 6 bait holder hooks for the worms and fished them under a float and I initially thought that this hook size should work well but perhaps was not a good choice? If it helps, by best visual estimation, these blue gill were probably 3-5" in length.

Imagine over 20 take downs and not a blue gill to show for it. I think I am more bummed out than they were, and I feel that I need to turn this around. Failure always leaves a sour taste that I disdain.

I am open to any suggestions and recommendations. Thanks.


Nothing like watching your kids fishing. Both were trying to land their first blue gill.

That`s a great site to see Island. There even wading out to catch a fish. Determination

Use a size 8 or 10 and a tiny piece of worm. Bluegill will go after very little bait.

agreed, bluegill have tiny mouths. That should be enough adjustment to get those bluegills to shore. You could also try a small clear float and suspend a small fly 2-3 ft down, have them cast out and slow retrieve. It may help the bluegills to hook themselves rather than try to time a hookset.

Thanks, guys! I suspected that might have been the case. They want another round asap so I'm going to look for 8s or 10s. The fly route sounds like something to also try. I think I have found an excuse to finally build flies.:flower:

It was so cool to see them. The kids were about knee deep and only needed to underhand cast about 3-5 feet away. It made me almost want to try.

I'd try a #10 Tru-Turn Aberdeen. The longer shank won't spook the gills, and the Tru-turn function does provide a better hook set. It could be that the kids were trying to set the hook when the bobber went down, which can be a mistake. Have them reel until they feel the fish and then set, or you can do as Mike suggested--bave them slowly reel in; this gives them a direct line to the fish.

Another possibility is that there was too much worm...bluegills will grab an end and pull. Small sections of bait work better as noted above. You might also try Berkley Gulp products, but again, use small chunks. I've had good success with Berkley's Crappie Nibbles and maggots.

Love the pic! i'd second the 8-10 aberdeen hooks. I set my wife up with a (no lie here)...Danny the dinosaur pole and we had a blast catching bluegills with a bobber and a hotdog. Last weekend I switched from hotdog to using a single salmon egg, and it worked great, plus it stayed on the hook better than a hotdog.

Don't overthink it man.

With kids I like using circle hooks. The fish hook themselves most of the time.

Second the recommendation for size 10.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... jsp.form23

Enjoy

natenez wrote:With kids I like using circle hooks. The fish hook themselves most of the time.

Second the recommendation for size 10.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... jsp.form23

Enjoy

Hard to fine size 10 or smaller circle hooks, but Cabela's carries the Lazer Sharp brand/model in size 10 (smallest).

I like catching 'em on surface dry flies, and smaller around size 16-18 are effective (that's really small).

When i fish for bluegill/sunfish ect. I use a worm on a size 8 hook under a slip bobber.

nickbell wrote:When i fish for bluegill/sunfish ect. I use a worm on a size 8 hook under a slip bobber.

+1 can't beat a snell when using crawlers!

I was using size 8 single egg hooks with maggots. Caught a lot of bluegills, but they were deeply hooked. Its not a good hook to use if you plan on releasing them. Never tried a size 8 baitholder hook before though.