Small blue gills as bait.

Question
Are very small blue gills effective bait for the large mouth bass?

Answer
Hi Bill,

Oh, they sure are.  Make sure that it's legal to use bluegills for bait in your state.  Here in Wisconsin you can use them as long as you count them in your daily bag limit.  Also, you can't transport them from one lake to another so you have to catch them on the lake you want to use them.  Check local regulations.

Now back to fishing.  Yes, they are great bait.  Fish them just like you would a shiner.  In fact, I think they struggle more than shiners.  I use a large circle hook right behind the dorsal fin when I fish them under a float or through the lips when I want to slow troll or drift them.

I use them for Bass, Pike, and Musky and I have even caught Walleyes on them.

Give them a try!