HUGE Bluegills and Lake Zumbro

On those rare occasions does one run into the sizes and numbers of bluegills that Mike/HOF and I did today on Lake Zumbro. It was steady the entire day. Between the two of us we caught well over 100. Several went 8 and we had several bonus 9’s. We released the majority, but each kept a nice meal. Good eatin for sure. It was somewhat strange how and where we caught them. Over deep water, 20 feet, however, only 5 to 6 feet down. Caught some with bobbers the majority of the big ones, straight line fishing/jigging. They wanted a dark color today and yes, it had to be tipped with a waxworm. The really weird part is that we were fishing where there was absolutely no structure. NONE, right out in the middle of no where. Nearest structure, a log was a good 30 yards away. Small fish up by the log but as we drifted out and way, got into the large ones. Kind of like ice fishing in August, had to watch your line very carefully for slack, then set the hook.
It was a fantastic day. You know what? The best is yet to come, gotta love September and October for panfishing. Cool nights and days push them up where they are easier to find.

Oh sure and you guys leave me at work to slave away all day. Sounds like a terriffic day on the water. Good to see you guys out fishing. Thanks for the report.
Thanks, Bill

Yep, a great day! Just goes to show that trying a different presentation can pay off with bigger fish. The fishing should just continue to be great right up to ice time.

Good Fishing,
Mike

Mike is too much of a gentleman to admit it, but he really kicked my butt today, outfished me at least 7 to 1. Why? I was pig headed. He latched onto the right color combination. After watching him, would I accept it and change over, no…….. Kept thinking, they will change and come over my way. Wrong……. There is no one out there that can tell me that color doesn’t make a big difference. Don’t believe me, then ask Mike.

AND knowing RHW I bet afterwards he went right to HOF and bought a bunch of the right color. Always pays to have alot of fish catchin goodies on hand so you have the right color on hand.
Thanks, Bill

sounds like a good day. Here in Iowa I catch alot of blugils out over open water as you described.

RHW & Mike,

On Wed what times were you there? When I left the parking lot about 2:30 I saw a Yukon with HOF advertising on both back windows – was that you guys?

I have been fishing Lake Zumbro many times (usually in the mornings 2-3 times a week) over the last couple of weeks. My primary goal is to learn the lake, locate hot spots, and determine the conditions when the bigger panfish bite. Therefore, I have mainly slow trolled with the electric trying out different areas and presentations.

My success rate has at times been fantastic and other times terrible, but I usually stumble onto a few of the big sunfish. Unfortunately, many of the hot spots turn out to be cold spots the next time I go out. One thing I noted is the larger 9” sunfish will attack very large presentations when they are in their aggressive mood. But for numbers you can’t beat tiny hooks/jigs with live bait. Sometimes when I catch a sunfish there will be 30 more following it right up to the boat. Other times it is like the Dead Sea.

I usually troll right up to the shore, then go out maybe 30-40 yards, repeating this drunken sailor zigzag movement as I explore the lake. Sometimes I just drift across deep areas to find active fish. I recently got a 101lb thrust electric tiller and it makes this slow trolling presentation a real pleasure.

So far, I have not had very good luck catching crappies.

Dave Gulczinski

Hey Dave, yes that was us. We got there around 1PM and stayed until 6PM, just missed the rain by about 10 minutes.
You are right about a couple things. When its hot its hot and when its not, its not. Just have to keep searching out different spots and make lots of mental notes. Slow trolling with the electric in what you called, “a drunken sailor zig-zag is exactly how it is done. The crappies? Well just be patient, as summer fades away and fall takes ahold, those paper mouths will be right back up in the shallower spots close to shore, especially where there is wood. So often panfisherpersons, especially those after bluegills forget about their mouth size. You would be hard pressed to stick your little finger down a 9 inch bluegills mouth. So therefore, you are right about another thing, keep the presentation small. Yes, bigger fish will take bigger presentations. If you are hunting only for the big boys, then up size, but for action, down size. Mike and I are avid Mini-Mite and Falls Flicktail users. Their size, color and action seem to be just what the pannies want. Big and small. When the fish are aggressive, don’t even have to tip them with any meat. They smack em like they are a fish’s steak dinner. When it slows, put a waxie on and the action starts all over again.
Keep us posted on how YOU do.

Interesting last couple of AM trips to Zumbro Lake. The largest crappie (12”) was caught vertical jigging a tiny hook with a piece of crawler, while the largest sunny (9”) was caught while trolling a large spinner. These fish are all mixed up and apparently don’t read the books on what they are supposed to bite on.

Dave you got that right, the fish are confused. I caught gills on a beetle spin and crappies on a mini mite tipped with a waxworm. They aren’t supposed to do that are they?
I mean comeon isn’t there supposed to be an order to things? Its tough enough and then they throw curve
balls.

Thats what makes it such a fun fishery to fish. You have to try outsmart them while they try to outsmart you first. Theres some nice bass and northerns in there too along with those fat gills and big crappies. Just like everywhere else you may to adjust/move alittle bit to find the big ones but even the smaller fish feel good on light action rods. Its a fun place to fish thats close to Rochester and is alot cheaper on the gas bill. Great place fo fish between pool 4 weekends and even some weekends I’ll be down there too.
Thanks, Bill

Well after my last morning trip to Zumbro Lake I am more confused than ever as to what triggers the larger panfish. I watched and talked to several fishermen who were catching panfish slow trolling bigger plastic jigs, hair jigs, faster trolling spinners, and vertical fishing various small presentations with and without live bait. They all caught fish when they were biting in the community honey holes.

I am still exploring the lake and usually catch about a dozen of the bigger panfish each time I go out. The crappies have been getting more aggressive lately and have been almost equal in numbers to the bigger sunfish. I still have not mastered tiny plastic jigs but I do try about a half dozen different presentations each time I go there. More of my time will be spent trying artificial baits.

It appears that when they are biting just about any presentation works. When they are not biting, it becomes a real challenge.

Dave Gulczinski

Hey Dave,

Yep, when the fish are on – they can be caught on a wide variety of baits. They can still be caught on those “off” days, but it takes a lot more effort and experimentation. Color can be a huge factor, as well as depth. Small lures tipped with live bait will often trigger neutral fish. Sometimes you need to put the bait right in front of their nose – and then they still may not bite. I’ve had days on Lake Zumbro when absolutely nothing was working, and then the fish just seemed to turn on for maybe an hour. They would bite like crazy for that hour and then turn off again and you wouldn’t catch another one.
Zumbro is a fun lake to fish and a good lake to experiment with new presentations.

Good Fishing,
Mike

Hey Ron, you are a HUGE user of plastics for panfish and do VERY well on them. That being said, any chance of you sharing your insight on using plastics for panfish and which ones and why plastics. You have a real nac and insight to catching fish with them that I’m sure everyone would loke to know more about. Thanks Bud.
Thanks, Bill

Bill sorry for the delay in responding but that darn work keeps getting in the way of my real interests.
As you know, I am a die hard panfisherman. Love my Bluegills and Crappies. This much I do know, if one finds Bluegills, usually there are Crappies nearby. So when I fish, my mentality is directed at targeting both at the same time. Yes this can be done. Crappies will take a bigger offering, whereas, Bluegills like it just a bit smaller. So then, what to use? Something that will attrack both species at the same time. Remember me posting the question what should we really call it, plastics or rubber? I was not kidding. I think of plastics as something hard and brittle and rubber as something soft and subtle. I look for that soft and subtle feel. Remember a fish’s mouth is like our hands and fingers. They can detect the slightest difference. I want something they will accept and something that is chewy and easy to shallow.
When I pick out my plastics, (rubber), I look for three things. Size, color and profile. I want a jig that is big enough to satisfy a Crappies appetite, but yet small enough that a Bluegill can easily slupt down. Then I look for a variety of colors that I know have been productive in the past. I am smart enough to know, one has to have a variety
of the appealing colors, usually flesh tones or natural shades. I beleive they see shades rather then colors as we do. Then there is the profile. Horizontals is what I prefer as I beleive that is what those two species feed on.
The only couple of jigs that I have found that fit the above bill to entice both Crappies and Bluegills at the same time in the same place are Mini-Mites and Falls Flick Tails. Oh, I will not argue there are other products out there that can’t catch fish, but one of the most important issues here is confidence in what you are using. That and knowing how to present these lures in the fashion they were designed to be used. Yes, one can catch fish on just plain plastics, (rubber), but to tip the odds in your favor, don’t hesitate to tip it first with a waxie and see what kind of a response you get. If it is fast and furious, you can sometimes get by without tipping it. Don’t be stubborn and get locked into a mind set. Let the fish dictate what they want, then be willing to accomodate them.
Now that I have bored everyone to death, will jump down my soap box and be willing to listen what others have to offer.

Thanks Ron. Very informative. Now that we have you in a mood to spill the beans about your great panfish catching abilities. Is there a certain depth of water [distance from the top of the water down] that seems to be most consistant for you? I seem to find when fishing deep water alot of times that the 5-7 foot range from the top is best and then at other times the bottom foot or two can be best. Have you noticed alot of consistancy in certain depths or maybe certain factors that dictate the depth the fish prefer? And by the way Bud, you NEVER bore me. Am always very anxious to learn from a panfish geru such as yourself.
Thanks, Bill

Bill, to be consistant at successful panfishing, depth is the utmost importance. Regardless what time of the year or water temps. As much as 6 inches can make a huge difference. One has to be willing to experiment. Fan cast out at lets say 4 feet. Nothing, lower it to 5 feet, then 6 feet. Still nothing. Might be too low. Try 3 feet, then 2 feet. Spring and fall, they will be up higher looking for the warmth of the sun. Summer, lower, looking for the cool of the depths. I can kind of tell when I am too deep. I will get a sideways kick, where my bobber will lay sidways. I know they are level hitters. Thus raise my float about 6 inches. Then when I get a bite, they will take it under rather then sideways. READ YOUR FLOAT. It will tell you much about depth. Slight ticks usually means I am way too deep. Raise it until you get that bobber to sink on a hit. One has got to experiment with depth. You can have the very best jig tied on for the day, but if it is not at the level THEY want, well then, no cigar. Man you know you have reached the right depth when that baby goes pop, squirts a drop of water in the air a foot and she dives like a submarine. Remember, 6 lousy inches can make a big difference, regardless what time of the year.

Great info! Thanks Ron.

Good Fishing,
Mike

Yes, VERY good info Ron. Thanks. At this time of year where would you be looking to catch some nice bluegills? I’m not asking for your favorite spots, just types of structure, water depths, and any other advice you would give anglers looking for some fish.
Thanks, Bill

Fall, yes, my most favorite time of the year for pannies. The Sumac in the ditches is turning red, the black birds are starting to flock, those darn hornets surround my deck and the nights get a little bit chilly. I perfer fall over spring, why? Usually the water levels are lower then spring which means the fish are more concentrated in smaller areas.
Easy pickins if you ask me. Fish em right up in the same spots as you fished em in spring, just keep it light and small.. Remember they are creatures of habit and will be looking for both warmth and food. Yes, the best of panfishing is here now.

So you are talking smaller slow presentations. Are you still using the favorite lures like mini mites and flick tails? At what point might you switch to a ice fishing jig tipped with a waxie? Or what else do you prefer later on as the water temps drop more yet still open water?
Thanks, Bill

I will stay with my Mini-Mites and Flicktails until the water is approaching freezing. Right up to November, depending on the weather. When you can see your breath in the morning, then drop down to those ice fishing lures. Hey, do I get a commission on some of these tips? 8-
)

How about a fishing trip to the Zumbro? You, me, and Mike are wayyyyyy past due to get out together. I think I’m free the weekend of the 24-25th.
Thanks, Bill

ps. I will even let you go get some sleep now too.

I will share another tip that Mike/HOF and I have found to be successful for late open water crappies. When there is an ice skim on the water first thing in the morning, then as the sun rises and melts that away so you can fish, USE MINNOWS. No snaps, no swivels, no leaders, just a plain hook tied directly to four or two pound test line underneath a bobber. Again experiment with depth under the float. You want just enough weight, like a tiny split shot sinker to get it down, yet light enough so the minnow is not restrained and can swim around. Oh yeah, can make for some fantastic Crappie fishing.