HUNT FOR GILLZILLA

Bluegill fishing is an instant addiction for anglers young and old, and for most of us, it’s the first fish we’re introduced to through both open water and ice fishing. There are several reasons why anglers across the ice belt search out this species... one reason for me is the fight, pound for pound gills provide one of the most exciting fish hook-ups out there, especially through the ice. A few other reasons we all search them out, are for their willingness to provide anglers of all ages plenty of action throughout the entire year and they provide very tasty table fare! By far, my absolute favorite reasoning for targeting bluegills is the hunt!

Hunting down Gillzilla is an exhilarating addiction. Average eater bluegills can be found almost anywhere on your body of water, but when hunting for Gillzilla, you must think a little outside the box. When preparing for my hunt, I first dissect all lake maps I can find for that body of water I’m fishing. I’m looking for shallower mud flats that are adjacent to relatively deeper water. The ideal depth that I’m looking for on these mud flats are that 10 to 13fow adjacent to 20- 30-foot basins or sub basins. Mud flats provide a smorgasbord of diet for big gills. They host bugs, bloodworms, small bait fish and crustaceans that big gills love. Whenever I want a high percentage chance of sticking a Gillzilla, I search out mud flats...these fish will pull out of the deeper adjacent water and feed on these shallower mud flats often during the morning hours and sometimes, staying there to cruise throughout the afternoon if the conditions are right. When experiencing extreme cold, sunny high-pressure conditions, most of these fish will push back into the deeper water again...but they can still be caught! When these fish push back to basin areas, I look for deep water structure. During these tough weather conditions big gills will seek out deep water structure like wood, rock piles, or man-made fish cribs. Having good electronics is very necessary when hunting Gillzilla in deeper water.

One other spot to target Gillzilla that often gets overlooked, is hunting them in shallow weeds. Over the years I’ve caught some of my biggest bluegills fishing in 4 to 6fow in reeds, cabbage pockets, and shallow sand grass. Key times to do this would be during overcast, low pressure weather patterns or at sundown when Gillzilla’s on the hunt for an evening meal. Naturally, a stealthy approach is needed when hunting these big plates in that shallow of water, often using the method of sight fishing to find them. Baits of choice vary but when hunting them on the shallower mud flats I like to start with the 1/16th oz jointed pinhead mino...it’s simply a great search bait for active fish. When forced to fish deeper water, I really like the Clam Maggot Drop tipped with crushed maggots or waxies...it offers a vertical presentation with the juices hanging out, a presentation that will glide down to the deeper target depths that they can suck in rather easily. When it comes to the shallow weed bite, nothing beats a small 3mm tungsten tipped with a single spike or waxie. I hope this article helps you put your personal best bluegill topside this ice season!