Get Back to the Basics for Big Bluegills

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For many of us, bluegills conjure up childhood memories. We observed their behavior in clear ponds, studied how they approach a hook, beamed with pride when we caught our first.

Captain Debbie Hanson of Estero makes a living helping anglers of all ages reconnect with that inner child. Specializing in fly and spin fishing in the lakes and canals of Southwest Florida, she approaches panfishing with both sage wisdom and a curious spirit.

“From late spring through early summer they spawn and get super active and aggressive,” said Hanson, who grew up fishing the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with her grandfather. “The full moons in May and June are the best.”

Hanson’s forte is flyfishing with small poppers on her favorite 3-weight bamboo rod. She ties foam poppers resembling spiders or ants no bigger than a pinky nail. Silicon legs add extra action to elicit strikes between pops.

“Calm, overcast days and low-light times are best,” said Hanson. “Bluegills respond really well to topwater. I’ll cast and typically retrieve with two short, quick pops and a pause. They can be lethargic if the water is hotter or cooler than normal, so I’ll let the popper sit a couple seconds between pops. They’ll usually hit while it’s sitting there. You don’t have to keep popping. The legs keep wiggling while it’s motionless.”

Hanson suggests paying attention to water and weather conditions.

“They’ll take topwater all day, but it’s harder for the fish to see and respond to flies if there’s a breeze with ripples on the water. Make more aggressive pops to get their attention.”

For spin tackle, Hanson sticks to 4- to 6-pound monofilament line, no leader, and Road Runner Original marabou jigs or Z-Man Micro Finesse jigs.

“When they’re on their beds, sometimes you’ll catch them so fast you can’t finish a drink,” said Daniel Knight, owner of Stegbone’s Fish Camp in Welaka.

Nestled on the St. Johns River near Lake George in central Florida, his fish camp provides a hub for an Old Florida blackwater adventure.

“You can use a rod and reel, but some folks use a cane pole or telescoping pole,” said Knight. “Nothing more than 10-pound test, usually 6- or 8-pound mono. Use a No. 6 hook and BB-size split shot with a small cork. You can also just bottom fish with a 1⁄8-ounce weight and hook, bouncing it along the bottom. Ideally your bait—a worm or cricket—is sitting just a couple inches above the bottom. Always keep it as close to the bottom as you can.”

When asked about locating bluegills during the spawn, both Hanson and Knight agree that areas with lily pads in one to four feet of water are best. Sand or shell bottoms, which provide their preferred nest-building substrate, are even better.

“The river up here is lined with lily pads, so work the shoreline and fish the pads and any fallen trees and branches,” Knight said. “Once you find them, anchor and keep fishing that spot. If you can find submerged clam beds, you can get into redear sunfish, also called shellcrackers, and they’ll always come back to those beds.”

St. Johns River anglers employ a tactic that saltwater anglers can relate to—chumming.

“People will fill an onion sack with cattle feed and tie it to the boat or throw some in the area,” he said. “It dissolves and keeps the fish there.”

To visit Stegbone’s Fish Camp and Resort, see stegbones.com. To book a trip with Capt. Debbie Hanson, give her a call at 239-233-4930 and learn more on her Instagram @shefishes2.

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• This article was featured in the June issue of Florida Sportsman magazine. Subscribe here

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