The office telephone rang at 4PM and I was informed that my body was to be at the boat landing at 6PM sharp as Mr. Bluegill had slotted us 2.5 hours for fishing. His master plan was since his daughter had to be at hunter’s safety from 6-8:30, we would have time to get a quick trip in. So, after my last patient off I ran for a quick change of cloths and my bluegill gear–was late and just missed Woody taking off fishing for the night with his two boys. I’ve got to hand it to Woody, he gets his entire family out on the lake every chance he gets and his kids are fishing machines–we need much more of that. Good job Woody! 
Mr. Bluegill had a master plan already in place and knew exactly where he wanted to go since the wind had been out of the northwest all day. Our basic location was targeting the cleaner water off of the old river channel in 7FOW. It was not long before fish were in the boat, and with fishing 3 rods per person when a school moved thru, the fish add up fast. Overall, we were into smaller fish (younger age class) that averaged between a quarter and one half pound with approx. 25% coming in at 8 inches or better. Since our time was limited, we stuck it out and did not search for another location with an older age class of fish. One the night, a conservative number of 30 bluegills were caught, but more realistically the number was higher. Mr. Bluegill did catch an 18 inch smallie, which we promptly displayed for the bass guys fishing next to us. Overall, on the night other than bluegills, we did catch one perch, two smallies, one 16 inch largemouth with Mr. Bluegill’s hook in it from when it broke off his 4lb test line on a stump, and one crappie.
Most fish came on float rigs, but approx. 25% came on drop shot rigs dead sticked. This is a great monitoring tool for knowing when a school comes thru the area, and when present, a guy can fish right over the boat much like you would be ice fishing. The rocket bobber has been working great, and for not deep hooking fish, it is a good way to go. With a light shot (you can do this with most pencil type floats), the rocket lyes on its side, and when a fish takes, it starts to stand up–that is when you put the wood to them. One interesting note, for the last couple trips most gills we are catching are females with no spawn–hope this means some did spawn super late. Will be interesting to see where we find groups of males.
Right now, the summer bite is in full swing and where you find one, you’ll find a bunch.
Did finally remember the camera, but forgot it was even in the boat until the end of the trip, so only one pic.
Good luck and see you on the lake,
Doc
