Bluegills Staging for the Spawn

Bluegills are not on the beds yet but they are right outside the door. Fish are concentrated on the 4–6 ft contours next to the spawning bays. Once we get three more days of mid-60s water the spawn will start.

A waxworm under a slip bobber over a soft bottom edge is producing limits of solid 7–8 inch gills. A handful of 9-inchers in every dozen. Tiny tungsten ice jigs work better than plain hooks right now — the fish are pre-aggressive and a flutter triggers them.

Light tackle is essential. 2 lb mono and a 7-foot panfish rod. Most days a one-hour trip gets you a fish fry. Bring an extra spool — these fish will hand you a snag on every fifth cast in the weeds.

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