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Mar/Apr 2010
Volume 69 - No. 2
- Cover Story
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Go Fish

Go Fish
A Species by Species Guide For Hot Action
Story by Mick Klemesrud and Photos by Brian Button

Bluegills

Pre-spawn:
Look for trees or rock piles in 6 to 10 feet of water. Use a 1/32- to 1/80-ounce jig tipped with a wax worm or piece of night crawler. If shore fishing, use a bobber. From a boat, either straight line fish or use a bobber. Fishing slowly in cool water, give the bait a twitch to spark a strike.

TIP:
Bluegills have a small mouth, so use small bait and hooks.

During spawn (mid-May to mid-June) look for spawning beds in bays or near shore in areas out of the wind. Beds will be in water 2 feet deep or less with sandy or gravel bottoms with dished-out depressions that look like elephant footprints. Use small jigs tipped with small bait. Add a small split shot to help cast. Set a bobber about the size of a thumbnail, 18 to 20 inches above bait. Cast beyond the bed and slowly pull it through. This will likely produce a fish per cast. A 6-foot rod can help when casting light tackle. Stay as far from the beds as possible to avoid spooking fish.

Fisheries biologist favorite:
Use black marabou jigs. They float in 2 to 3 feet of water and imitate a variety of insects.

...

Full story includes Bluegills, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Crappies, Walleye, Flathead Catfish, Wipers, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Yellow Bass, Freshwater Drum, Trout as well as how to read a stream, tips for fishing with kids, map of fishing holes in Iowa! Don't miss out!


Get the rest of the story "Go Fish"
in the 2010 March April Issue:


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Go Fish


 

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