Lake Zumbro Bluegill Marathon

Mike from HOF and I went to Lake Zumbro this afternoon and thanks to Jake who sat us on the mother load, did we catch gills, lots of them. We figured we caught 70 plus but only kept a few for table fare. Average size ran from an honest 7 up to 9. Several, several females that were bulging with eggs. Some of them were so full, they looked like their bellies were about to split wide open. All of them were gently released.
Used flicktails and mini mites three feet below the bobber up close to the shorelines. Colors varied, they would hit anything. At first, no need to tip it with meat, however, later when it slowed down, tipped them with waxworms and wham the fun started all over again.
Water clarity not too bad. Still alot of debris in the water, but not enough to prevent some clear, clean fishing.
Several others out fishing plus some recreational boaters.
Skiers were respectfull for fishermen and kept there distance, proving we can all use the resource in
harmony. Fishermen were in close to the shorelines and the skiers were out in the middle and not bothering a soul.
The Zumbro bluegill bite is on people, get out there and have some fun.

Any crappies caught?

Only one crappie, about 12 inches, but he didn’t bring his buddies over to introduce us. I am sure they are there, but we didn’t have a graph, so couldn’t see them out in the deeper water. Shorelines drop off rather quickly and without electronics, it would be a guessing game.
Gills were within that five foot from shore stretch, then she dives quickly. Crappies I am sure are hanging off the edge, but much deeper this time of the season. We did try some straight lining without bobbers in the deeper water, but our hearts were not in it, with the fast gill action. So we didn’t give it an honest try for crappies.

Ron

Sounds like a very good time. I got to talk top my bride about getting a kitchen pass for tomorrow…..
might even take her along.

UG

Jim, yes, now would be a good time to take the little lady along, as the action is excellent. Women and kids usually don’t have much patience if there isn’t any action.
Equip her with a nice light weight rod, four pound test line, small bobber and remember those jigs I showed you last year, use them. Tip them with a wax worm and get her to within five to eight feet of the shoreline, then watch her have some fun.
Simply move slowly until you find them, then anchor or use your trolling motor and work the area at a snails pace.
Set your bobber about 2 1/2 to 3 feet high and keep a tight line and you should be good to go.

Had another fun afternoon on Lake Zumbro today! Went fishing with Mike Fischer (rod builder at HOF) and Greg, owner of Fish-N-Pets in Rochester. The bluegills are right on the shoreline and really biting well. The females are very easy to tell from the males bacause they are so full of eggs. The males are spraying, so spawning must be in full swing. We kept a meal of nice males and let all the females go. It was a great day to be on the water, and the fish were very cooperative! Small jigs tipped with a waxie fished 2 ft. under a bobber was the best method today.

Good Fishing,
Mike

Thanks for the report Mike. Sounds like a good time. Must be rough sneaking off like that during the middle of the week ”twice” while the rest of us slave away at work. I must not be living right or something. Great to hear you got Mike F. out of the shop and into a boat fishing with you.
Thanks, Bill