Florida Bluegill

[Illinoisgiller]

I've heard many times how big the gills get in Florida waters.
Since there are a few people spending the winter down there, what is the scoop? What is the somewhat average gill size down there?
I would imagine it is similar to here in the midwest, having different size gills depending on the particular water.
Most public waters that I fish, gills top out at 1/2 to a little over 3/4 lb. There are a few 1 pound+ fish but certianly not in any amount.
So, even though it's the winter season ,do you ever get on some nice ones.??? Mike

[big country]

mike there are some very nice ones here i have seen and caught them over 1 pound most of the ones i catch are hand size but i do catch them where i can't put my hand around them allot...and the scrap like a truck....lol...

[Environmentor]

Yeah, I can imagine them being good down there just cause of the climate. Floridia and other Southern states seem to always have the "big" fish since they have that year-long growing season. A pounder in Floridia, is likely a lot younger than a pounder in Iowa/Illinois. So, if you catch a one pounder here in Iowa/Illinois, it has outsmarted anglers for around a decade (that is why it is important to practice CPR, even on bluegill). Catch that same size fish in Floridia, it has only been around 5 years. However, up here in the midwest we have that great black soil. That great black soil may not help produce big trophy bass, but it really does wonders for those lower level feeders like bluegill. Also, seems like Floridia is a fishing mecca. I don't know how crowded Floridia waters are, but seems like public lakes here around the Quad-Cities are so few/far that overfishing is pretty bad on most public lakes/ponds.

[Illinoisgiller]

Gulp, 1 pound+ gills for bait???? :confused:
Seriously, I'm supprised that they will hit a gill that size . We must be talking flats big enough to have an attitude.:D
Except for a very few private ponds, bait would be tough to come by in this area . Mike

[Schoe]

I am fortunate to have a private pond that I have access to for nice Gills for the table and for bait. The pond is approx. 3 acres and is over run with Bluegills. In 05 alone I took at least 4 to 5 hundred out of there for mostly bait but the big ones for the table.

A 5 lb. Flathead has no problem inhaling a 1/4 to 1/2 lb. with ease. My biggest last year was 43 lbs and hit a 1/2 lb. Bluegill in less than 2 ft. of water. Those Flats just love them Bluegill as do I. Schoe

[Stump Bumper]

Illinoisgiller, at last year's "FCC", Lib Tambe caught his first Flathead, a two pounder that tried to eat a six inch long bait and it got lodged in the flatheads mouth. I guess his eye's were bigger than his stomach....LOL....Ray

[Illinoisgiller]

capt. Kirk, So you ONLY got on the 12"to14" Crappies? Sure sorry to hear that you didn't get the large ones. lol You fellas are definately on a great fishery down there. Every time we get a breeze out of the south I can hear those bull gills calling me.
Please tell your wife she has good taste. Can't be wasting those nice fillets, even for a flathead. Wish you tight lines, Mike

[Illinoisgiller]

capt.kirk, Now you done it again. I caught that "must have been at least 2 lb gill". I am still on the chase for my first 1 lb. gill from public water. My best red ear was only 1 1/4 lb.up here ,but I've seen them a lot larger.
Not much of a supprise how it's going down there. Seems every area has problems of some sort.
I love to travel ,but always happy to get back home also.
If it is handy at some point, could you post a pic. of a 1 1/2 to 2 lb. gill?
There is a plastic model of the world record gill at the Ia. City Scheels. They have it in a case to keep my drool off it. :D
Keep the reports comming when it's handy. Mike

[Illinoisgiller]

Capt. Kirk. I wouldn't question for a second, your ability to guess the size of your fish. :) I just enjoy seeing pictures of fish that so many take for granted. I need to cary a camera more often, and when I do at least take time to get a pic. I get caught up in the moment and just KNOW there must be another out there just a bit larger:D
I also release what I think are the largest bull gills I catch ,no matter where I'm fishing. I wish I knew more about crappie. I've heard so much about culling off different year classes and the boom and bust stories that I'm left pretty much confused .
Thank you for all you add to the foruim and enjoy the visit, Mike