Does anyone have an opinion on using live bluegill for catching bass?

I fish two or three times a week in a 9-acre pond in southern Yazoo County, just the owner and me.

During the spring and early summer you could toss a line in and catch a six-pounder, and occasionally much bigger bass.**

Lately though, the only reliable bait has been two- or three-inch bluegill.


I know some people look down on this practice, and I have even heard it's against the law in some locales.

I hope fall weather gets them biting again on plastic worms and so forth, but I would like to hear others' opinions on using a game fish to catch a game fish.


** I had two fish break new 30-lb braid two weeks ago, so I know there are some monsters in this little lake... it felt like I had hooked a passing truck....

I think it's considered illegal in public rivers and/or lakes. Don't quote me on that. Personally, I don't care. There are plenty of bluegill. I've caught some big fish in saltwater by keeping croaker and throwing them back out there. My dad was on a charter in Mexico and caught a small blackfin tuna. He hooked it and threw it back out. 10 ft 350+ lb blue marlin that hangs on the wall. That's probably totally illegal in the US

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Originally Posted by BeastMan

I think it's considered illegal in public rivers and/or lakes. Don't quote me on that. Personally, I don't care. There are plenty of bluegill. I've caught some big fish in saltwater by keeping croaker and throwing them back out there. My dad was on a charter in Mexico and caught a small blackfin tuna. He hooked it and threw it back out. 10 ft 350+ lb blue marlin that hangs on the wall. That's probably totally illegal in the US

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Thanks for the reply. I guess I'm not worried about the possible illegality... there is no way anyone would ever know. And there are so many bluegill in the little lake that you can understand why there are so many large bass in there with them. Kid caught a 12 pounder with his first cast back in April.


I guess I should have asked if there are other last chance lures that I could try while I wait for them to start biting again. Texas rigged worms worked well in the spring. I've tried wacky rigged Senkos lately and assorted creature baits with no success since late July

Using the bluegill is a pain but it beats the hell out of no bites at all.

Try a weightless fluke.

If I'm fishin' for Lunker Bass and I'm outta baby ducks; bluegill is my "go to" bait....


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Originally Posted by TUSK

If I'm fishin' for Lunker Bass and I'm outta baby ducks; bluegill is my "go to" bait....


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Haha!!! That's funny right there.