I have decided that there is no such thing as a bluegill too small to keep. If they are big enough to bite the hook, they are big enough to scale, gut and toss in a hot skillet. In fact, I believe the best tasting are the smaller bluegills. To prove my point, I stopped by Lake Orange last weekend with a fly rod and a cup of red wigglers. Unquestionably, fly rods are bluegill-catching machines. Not only can you taunt the little fellows with a small popping bug, you can slay them with a mealworm or a red worm skewered on a size 6 hook. The success of a fly rod in these circumstances is due to the fact that the fish don’t have a clue. There is no drag whatsoever on the bait. They pick it up and eat and the next thing they know, they’re in a dark cooler with lots of ice and other unsuspecting bluegills.
I ended up catching 7 or 8 ‘gills, including one really nice one, but I kept even the six-inchers, cleaned them, rolled them in House Autry Breading and fried them in hot oil. They were beyond delicious. Bluegill fishing should only improve in the next few weeks as days become shorter, the water cools and fish feed heavily before the coming winter.
Pick up a fly rod and try it yourself.
Fishing Outlook
The best bets for anglers fishing over the Labor Day Weekend are the rivers and smaller lakes.
The rivers (barring unexpected thunderstorms) are all in good shape – clear, normal pool and navigable. Topwater-anything should be working as damselflies and dragonflies are plentiful. Best spots should be in pockets just below the riffles.
Small lakes should also be productive with recent temperature drops. Bass have moved out of deep water and can be caught anywhere from two feet to ten feet. Bluegills and crappies are also moving shallow and catfish are always in cooperative mood.
The large lakes will be a zoo with Jet Skis and motorboats churning up the water. Avoid them like the plague.
Potomac River
Capt. Steve Chaconas says that moving water is key. Try to find spots where water is falling into slightly deeper water. Morning low tides set up nicely for a topwater bite. Popping baits like Lucky Craft G-Splash 65 and 80 are good choices on either 20-pound braid or 12 pound Gamma Copoly lines. Vary retrieves to bring strikes along edges and around scattered star grass. Also hollow frogs over thick grass along edges will work. Use buzzbaits over grass with more water.
Also try slightly weighted stickworms Texas rigged on 14-pound test Edge Fluorocarbon line and a 3/0 Mustad Mega Bite hook. Weights from 1/8 ounce and lighter will hold baits in grass without getting too deep. Wiggle baits through grass and allow to fall. Watch line for movement and pay attention when moving as the bite is light. As for colors, many are working. Junebug, green pumpkin and even watermelon stickworms are effective.
Chickahominy Lake
Capt. Art Conway of Conway’s River Rat Guide Service (804-746-2475) out of Ed Allen’s Boats and Bait reported that Chickahominy Lake mid-day water temperatures were in the mid to high 70’s in the main lake and in the major creeks on Wednesday.
Fishing with Capt. Conway, Karen Anderson had 27 bluegills and 1 crappie. Tom Porter had 37 bluegills, 1 shellcracker, 11 crappie, and 4 white perch.