Bass Eat Bluegill! Top Bluegill Swimbaits For Spring Bass Fishing

Bluegill and panfish are a huge part of a bass' diet. Whether you fish small ponds or huge lakes, knowing how to imitate bluegill will help you catch bigger bass in Spring. While visiting his childhood fishery, Tim was inspired to shoot this quick video about applying Bluegill swimbaits to your Spring bass fishing. 

The bluegill swimbait category has exploded in recent years. Where we used to talk about one or two baits, there are now dozens of options on the market and it seems to grow every years. With every company jumping on the bandwagon, its more important than ever to have a little insight into which baits have proven themselves. To help narrow down the selection, Tim is walking us through his favorite soft baits, Hard Baits, and Bluegill-Imitating Glidebaits. 

All of the baits discussed in the video are linked below. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. We've also included some of our favorite combos for fishing these baits. While most bluegill baits can be thrown on a stout jig rod, the heavier soft baits and GlideBaits should be thrown on a dedicated swimbait combo. 

Soft Bluegill Baits... 

-Mattlures U2 Bluegill (Shown By Tim): http://bit.ly/2s1dqyf

Colors: Male Bluegill, TW Baby Gill

-Mattlures Ultimate Bluegill: http://bit.ly/2aAuAz5

Colors: Male Bluegill, TW Baby Gill

-Savage Gear Pulse Tail RTF (Jig hook): https://bit.ly/2xx1zjH

Colors: Bluegill, Ghost Gill

-Savage Gear Pulse Tail LB (Weedless): https://bit.ly/2Kd6qct

Colors: Bluegill, Ghost Gill

-All American Sunfish: http://bit.ly/2ahBNOT

Colors: Male Bluegill, Bream

Hook- Owner 4/0 Weighted Beast: http://bit.ly/2ancP66

Hard Bluegill Baits... 

-Megabass Vatalion: http://bit.ly/367AOxD

Colors: GG Gill, GG Wild Gill

-Jackall Gantarel Jr: https://bit.ly/3pcIzvW

Colors: RT Ghost Gill, RT Spawn Gill

-Jackall Gantarel: http://bit.ly/2adZI3R

Colors: RT Ghost Gill, RT Bluegill

-Mike Bucca Bull Gill: http://bit.ly/2f1ASHn

Colors: Bluegill

Bluegill Glidebaits... 

-R2S S-Waver 168: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Colors: Bluegill, New Bluegill

-Arashi Glide: http://bit.ly/2nHdrL1

Colors: Bluegill, Green Gill

Our Favorite Large Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 966: https://bit.ly/3ktZFnF

Reel- Shimano Tranx 300 (HG): http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Line- Power pro Maxcuatro (80 lb Braid): http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC100 Fluorocarbon (35 lb): http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Budget Large Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- Savage Gear Squad 8' Heavy Swimbait: http://bit.ly/3tT8bS2

Reel- Shimano Curado 300K: https://bit.ly/2HbZ3E4

Line- Power pro Maxcuatro (65 lb Braid): http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC100 Fluorocarbon (30 lb): http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Budget Small Bluegill Bait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 7'2" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel- Shimano SLX XT (HG): http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Sunline Assassin 20 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Want TacticalBassin Gear?  

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

**Crazy Underwater Footage** Big Bass Attacking Bluegill Lures!

Come underwater and watch these bass attacking bluegill! We're using a variety of bluegill imitating swimbaits and plastic worms to elicit reaction strikes. Early Spring signals the start of the war between bass and bluegill, let us show you how to take advantage of it and catch more bass in today's underwater video!

Once bass turn their attention to the shallows, bluegill become an immediate threat. Instinctively, bass begin to erratic them from their shallow haunts. Knowing this, we can stay one step ahead of the bass. By imitating bluegill we are able to draw on the bass' natural aggression and ultimately catch more fish. 

In today's underwater footage we used a variety of bluegill imitators. From worms to swimbaits, we've linked all of the baits below in the order they appeared in the video. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. We've also included rigging components where relevant. 

Hard Baits... 

-Jackall Gantarel: http://bit.ly/2adZI3R

Color: RT Ghost Gill, RT Spawn Gill

Dropshot Worms... 

-Big Bite Baits Smallie Smasher: http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY

Color: "Green Pump Org Blk Purp Prl"

-X Zone Lures Finesse Slammer: http://bit.ly/2TJt7L8

Color: Bluegill

Soft Swimbaits...

-Megabass Dark Sleeper 3" 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Color: Haze

-Storm WildEye Live Sunfish 3": http://bit.ly/2psTO6t

Color: Bluegill

-Little Creeper All-American Sunfish: http://bit.ly/2ahBNOT

Colors: Male Bluegill, Female Bluegill

-Savage Gear Pulse Tail RTF Bluegill (JigHook): https://bit.ly/2xx1zjH

-Savage Gear Pulse Tail LB Bluegill (Weedless): https://bit.ly/2Kd6qct

Colors: Bluegill, Ghost Gill

-Mattlures Hammer Tail Bluegill: http://bit.ly/2FsZhA3

-Mattlures U2 Bluegill: http://bit.ly/2s1dqyf

Colors: Male Bluegill, TW Baby Gill 

3"-5" Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'2" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K (HG): http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC100 Shock Leader 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Budget Small Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 7'2" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel- Shimano SLX XT (HG): http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line- Power Pro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader: Maxima Ultragreen 20 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Budget Dropshot Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'6" Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

Reel- Shimano NASCI 3000: http://bit.ly/2g278cC

Line- Sunline Sniper 6 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Want TacticalBassin Apparel?  

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Winter Fishing for Bull Bluegill

We're chasing giant bluegill today! We usually focus on bass fishing but at the end of the day, we just love catching fish! During the Winter months, giant Bull Bluegill gather with the other predators and gorge on baitfish. These extraordinary fish are often overlooked but are amazing fighters and a worthy adversary on a cold Winter day. If you're tired of struggling this Winter, take a day off and  let us show you how to chase these amazing fish.

Bass fisherman often fall into the trap of only fishing for bass. While we don't recommend fishing for every tiny little fish that swims, branching out a little can be very healthy. These mental breaks help us to refocus before Spring arrives. Bluegill are a perfect candidate because they're plentiful all over the country and with relatively little effort you can learn to find the GIANTS. It doesn't matter what species it is, when you're catching some of the biggest, its going to be a good time. 

Fishing for oversized bluegill requires no specialized equipment. As a bass fisherman, your lightest dropshot or ned rig rods should be just fine. Carry a few downsized baits (we linked our favorites below) and be prepared for a suprisingly powerful fight. As soon as conditions allow, get back to bass fishing but don't hesitate to take a break and enjoy the plentiful fishing that is around you this Winter. 

The baits... 

-Kastmaster 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2PtUwi3

-Damiki Vault 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

-Spro Phat Fly 1/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2mboisG

-Keitech 2.8" Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Dirty Jigs Guppy Head 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Matt's Combo... 

Rod-  Zodias 6'8" Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2jOUXAO

Reel- Shimano Stradic CI4+ 1000: http://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Line- Sunline Sniper 4 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Budget Combo... 

Rod- Daiwa Aird-X 7' Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2P7Z3Vu

Reel- Shimano Sedona FI: http://bit.ly/2wgh50Z

Line- Maxima Ultragreen 5 lb: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Which Bluegill Swimbaits Catch More Bass? Amazing Underwater Fishing Footage!!

Which Bluegill Swimbaits Catch More Bass? Let's go underwater and find out! There are a ton of bluegill imitators on the market but some have terrible hookup ratios. Today we explore which baits get the most bites, which hook up the best, and when to throw them. Whether you're sight fishing for spawning bass or blind casting for aggressive post spawn bass that are eating bluegill, these baits will help you catch more fish.

Its no secret that bass love to eat bluegill. They're a consistent food source from coast to coast but imitating them can be very difficult. The key is to focus on baits that have smaller profiles and either have an exposed hook or are so soft that a hidden (weedless) hook can easily pop through. Over the years we've narrowed our selection from dozens of bluegill swimbaits to just a handful of bluegill imitators with great hookup ratios.

Below is a breakdown of the baits we use when bass are chasing bluegill. All of these baits can be used for bed fishing or open water casting alike. Don't get caught up with colors, instead focus on profile and action as you select the best baits for your lake.

Bluegill Swimbaits...

-Mattlures U2 Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2s1dqyf

-Mattlures Ultimate Bluegill: http://bit.ly/2aAuAz5

-Mattlures Hammer Tail: http://bit.ly/2FsZhA3

-All American Sunfish: http://bit.ly/2ahBNOT

-Huddleston Bluegill: http://bit.ly/2FqvvQW

-Rago Bluegill Line Through: http://bit.ly/2JR2iS7

-Storm Wildeye Sunfish: http://bit.ly/2psTO6t

-Storm Wildeye Bluegill: http://bit.ly/2uBZ1Mf

Bluegill Imitators...

-Dirty Jigs Finesse Jig: http://bit.ly/2eJinXo

-Dirty Jigs California Swim Jig: http://bit.ly/2auXfmx

-Keitech 3.8 or 4.3 Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

(Male Perch or Green Pumpkin Fire)

-Basstrix Bait Fry: http://bit.ly/2prMB8n

-Basstrix Bluegill: http://bit.ly/2dPHA4e

Hooks...

-Stinger Treble Hooks- Owner ST-56 Size 2: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

-Trokar 5/0 Swimbait Hook (for All American Sunfish): http://bit.ly/2iTeTSh

-Split Ring- Hyperwire Size 4: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Big Swimbait Combo...

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 966: http://bit.ly/2x9kxuS

Reel- Tranx 300 HG: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Line- 65 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 25 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Budget Small/Medium Swimbait Rod (jig rod)...

Rod- Shimano SLX 7'2" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel- SLX 150: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- 50 lb Power Pro Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- 15 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

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