Want to add a little excitement to your bluegill fishing? Bait for bluegills don't just stop at worms and crickets. When the water, and action heats up this spring, try putting on a mini crankbait for some fast action fun. Crankbaits aren't just for bass and walleye anymore. Down-sized versions and original mini lures are outstanding at compelling a reaction bite from a big bluegill while keeping you fishing instead of putting bait back on that was stripped within seconds. By experimenting with the different actions available and the various sizes you can even select out the little guys that can strip your line of worms in seconds and only trigger and catch the large bluegills in the water you are fishing.
There are as many choices as conditions to be fished. From lipless cranks to fat bodied minnows to helgramite imitations. Study your preferred body of water, or one you are targeting and try to match what is currently there. A fish that has never seen a 1 1/2 inch crawdad is less likely to bite than one that continually sees, and possibly eats, them. If you are unsure try a few different baits and see what works best, then adjust your presentation from there.
Fat bodied minnows are always great in that minnows are present in all bodies of water sustaining a breeding population of fish. So they will recognize it as food and act quickly. These are also very versatile in how you can fish them. A slow rolling presentation can be made cast and retrieve style or trolled behind the boat. Bring them in a bit faster for the appearance of a minnow fleeing from a predator. Or use a start and stop cadence for the look of a wounded minnow.
Lip-less crankbaits cover water quickly when the bite is aggressive. Just like ripping in a Rat-L-Trap for bass, cover the area quickly and thoroughly with this type of bait. This bait also allows you to vary the speed somewhat for different looks, but I have found that if you go too slowly the action will not work with the mini version like it does for the full sized lipless bait. Play with the bait next to the boat or shore by dragging is at different speeds to see how the action plays out so you know what is happening when you cast it out.
Any crank that looks like an insect of some kind is perfect for the bluegill. Much of their diet consists of one or another creepy crawly. They are programmed to search and destroy this food source. Many of the fat bodied minnow or lip-less cranks come painted and formed like some sort of insect. Give one a try, you will not regret it.
What rod and reel to use for fishing mini crankbaits? Most of these cranks work pretty well on any set up that you are comfortable fishing. Some are very small and light and a lighter rod & reel combo can assist in getting the bait out there far enough to obtain the proper depth and action on retrieval. I prefer a 6 ½ foot light or medium action rod paired with the appropriately sized reel. These combos give you the ability to cast the small bait yet give you the backbone needed to reel them in fast and set the hook deep. I always use at least a 6lbs test mono as these baits will sometimes bring in the stray bass, walleye or even catfish looking for an easy meal. It doesn't happen often, but it will wake you up if the action is slow that day.
Next time you are out fishing your favorite spot for bluegills, take along a crankbait and give it a try. The action will be fast and furious, and you may even bring home a trophy gill.
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