Bluegill Nightfishing Tactics For Hauling Them In Hand Over Fist

The bluegill is a round but flat fish. They have a small dark spot located at the base of the dorsal fin and the upper sides and back of this species is a dark olive-green color. The ear flat is solid black and its belly is a reddish yellow color. They also have vertical bars running up and down their sides.

The bluegill is part of the sunfish family and they can be found all over the United States and in the northern part of Mexico. They are the most plentiful in the state of North Carolina where you can find them in almost every body of water. Knowing what the bluefish feeds on naturally and where they can be found is the first step to successfully fishing for this species.

Habitat and Diet of the Bluefish

This exciting species can be found in just about all types of water with the exception of "high-gradient trout streams". They can thrive in either clear or muddy waters with no problem at all. They can survive in water that is slightly saline or acidic but it is not their preference. When searching for the bluegill you will find them in creeks, rivers, swamps and backwaters. However, they are usually the most abundant in reservoirs and ponds.

The bluegill is not very picky about what they eat. In fact, they will eat almost anything that is small enough to fit into their mouths. This gives the angler an advantage because most any type of bait will work just fine, provided it is the appropriate size. They feed naturally off of flying insects that hit the water and aquatic insects.

Nightfishing Tips

Unlike many other species the bluegill feeds mostly during the day. This is because they use their sight to locate the food. What this means for the angler is that nightfishing can be more difficult but with the right tactics, you can haul them in hand over fist. It just takes a little ingenuity. The very best time to go bluegill fishing is right at dusk or dawn but if you go during the night hours the following tips can help. Start by using the same methods you would for fishing during the day.

When it comes to bait, the plain ordinary garden worm or crickets are the best that you can use. You only need enough bait to cover the hook so many anglers will use part of the worm instead of the whole thing. Stock up on these before you head out and you should have a good night on the water. If you prefer to use artificial baits you can still reel in a good catch as long as you keep a few simple rules in mind.

Bluegill are not very large therefore, you need to use equipment that is suited for a small species of fish. It is recommended that you use an ultra-light rod and reel set combined with small number 10 hooks. The wire hooks with a long shank is best because they are easier to get out of the bluegills very small mouth and for securely holding small lures and bait. Using test line weighing between 2 to 6 pounds will work the best and it will help you to feel the bluegill when they strike your line.