FISHING
KEEPER Half-pound 8 to 9 inches*
CATCH OF THE DAY Pound for pound, bluegill might be one of the strongest freshwater fish.
RARE 1 pound 10 to 12 inches*
CATCH OF A LIFETIME 2 pounds 13 inches*
It binds us to memories that span generations. Clemons’ mother, Ann, died in 1984, but the scent of spawning bluegill pulled her presence into his boat as though she was sitting in the bow seat. “If you’re trolling along a bank calmly and quietly, and if the water is clear enough, you’ll probably smell that sweet smell,” Clemons adds. “And you’ll know you are in the right spot.” Perhaps that’s why bluegill — one of the most widely distributed fish in America and beyond — are so popular among anglers of all ages and skill levels. Or it could be because they’re so darn
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fun to catch. “Nothing will paste a silly grin on the face of even the most seasoned angler than catching a bluegill he or she can barely wrap their hand around,” says Jeff Samsel, content specialist for Thill Floats and a dedicated bluegill fisherman. “I’ve heard people jest that if a bluegill got as big as a bass you couldn’t reel it in, and that’s almost true. They’re flat-sided and all muscle. A bluegill is brutally strong for its size, making for great sport. They don’t draw many headlines, but every angler enjoys catching them. They are every angler’s fish.” Bluegill, like their aquatic cousin, the largemouth bass, and many other kindred species, are members of the sunfish family. They are found across most of North America, and have been introduced to waters in Europe, Asia and South America. They are popular with anglers for several reasons: They swim nearly everywhere freshwater flows, they provide tremendous sport on light tackle and they’re delicious when lightly battered and fried. >
GETTY IMAGES
*Illustrations do not depict actual size.
The International Game Fish Association’s all-tackle world record bluegill is a 4-pound, 12-ounce brute — a heavyweight record that has stood 68 years.