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November 23rd, 2010
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 Pinpointing “Bull” Gills
By Matt Johnson
Pinpointing these broad-shouldered sunfish can be an all-day endeavor, but it’s a day well spent once you hook into a true pounder. Sunfish in the 9–11 inch range are in a class of their own, and once they surpass that 10-inch mark you’ve got yourself a real trophy. Lighting biting, drag squealing, rod bending; now we’re talking “bull” gills!
Patterning these evasive creatures can seem as complex as linear algebra, but patterns do exist, and you don’t have to be a mathematician to discover them. Locating these “bull” gills is only half the battle, but it can be the most important part of the equation.
Large sunfish will relate to the forage they prefer, often times over soft-bottom areas with an abundance of plankton, blood worm, scuds, and other micro-organisms. Sunfish will also hold to weedy areas, and will utilize those areas as long as oxygen and forage continue to provide them with adequate surroundings. Once the weeds turn brown and down, you can expect the larger gills to move on and find more suitable areas. However, keep note of those areas as possible late ice spots, or even early open water areas. Those larger sunfish will return to the weeds once they begin to flourish with life come spring.
Soft-bottom areas are prime “bull” gill spots. These soft-bottoms are profuse with a forage-rich environment. Sunfish can devour tiny morsels of food all day long, and even into the evening hours. Often times you can find sunfish holding to the bottom across these expansive sticky-bottom areas. My flasher only displays a quivering bottom at first glance, but slowly a massive red blip rises from the bottom telling me I’m about to begin a tug-fest with the “bull” gill.
Some of these areas can be rather intimidating, and rightly so. Some of these soft-bottomed areas can appear to be larger than a football field. Deciding where to begin your search can be tricky, but by paying attention to the nearby structure you can limit your time at punching holes over “dead” water. I prefer mid-depth areas where you can find both shallow and deep water in the vicinity. Areas dropping off a hump or neck-down area (narrows between two large bodies of water, but not a channel) are two of my preferred locations.
Large soft-bottom flats in 8-15 feet can hold large sunfish all winter-long. These “bull” gills don’t need a lot of structure to survive. However, small depressions in these expansive flats can attract fish, same with subtle humps and pockets of weeds or brush. Abrupt breaks dropping from shallow water weed lines can also draw-in sunfish, especially when the bottom of the break is composed of a soft-bottom. Consider it a “highway” to these large sunfish, and they will roam around those areas throughout much of winter.
Staying mobile is key when targeting sunfish over soft-bottom flats. They will not stay put, and you can expect to punch a lot of holes and cycle through each hole more than once. Firing off 10-15 holes over a 30 yard piece of structure is not uncommon, and once the fish vacate from one hole doesn’t mean that they won’t be back. “Bull” gills are spookier than your average sunfish and they will be more apt to cruise once any sort of commotion takes place.
Now, I said earlier that location was only half the battle, and as you guessed, there are two sides to ever page. The second half typically takes less time, but it’s the part that brings home the bacon. It’s time to figure out what those fish want to eat.
During the winter months, sunfish will generally feed on micro-organisms and small-bodied creatures. Presentations that mimic these small critters are what you’re looking for. Size 10-12 hooks will be your standard for these midwinter “bull” sunfish. Small-profiled baits seem to be the desired means of attack for enticing those finicky sunfish. Tip these jigs with a piece of plastic and you have yourself and nice little bluegill snack.
Seeing the bite is very important when targeting “bull” gills. They have the tendency to bite very light, and relying solely on feel can result in missed opportunities. Incorporating some sort of spring bobber can give you the upper hand when detecting light bites. Sunfish are notorious for “tasting” the bait, only to spit it out moments later. The spring bobber will allow you to “see” these subtle attacks and you’ll see your catches increase.
So, start by searching out likely areas where you think large sunfish will be holding. Grab a lake map and look for areas where soft-bottom flats come in contact with/near adjacent structure. Breaks can be considered as possible nearby structure. Then once a spot is isolated, stay mobile and be willing to work over the area thoroughly. Punch a lot of holes and cover a lot of ground. Next, down-size your presentation if the situation calls for it. Staying small will imitate what these larger sunfish feed on. And along with down-sizing you presentation, include some sort of spring bobber to help detect light bites.
I have only touched on the tip of the iceberg, and hopefully some of these tips for pinpointing “bull” gills can be applied to your particular body of water. There is still a lot to be said about locating and catching “bull” gills through the ice. Large sunfish are something to be admired, and catching one of these brutes is something to be proud of.
“Bull” gills – set the hook and enjoy the ride!
Good Fishin,
Matt Johnson |
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 First Ice Greenbacks
By Holly Chow
Waiting for first safe ice is always hard but when you live just minutes from the walleye mecca of Canada and when you know in your heart what the fishing is like it seems even harder. The Red River and Lake Winnipeg have consistently produce monster greenbacks that bring anglers from across North America on a quest to land their dream walleye.
I am no exception, every time I step on the ice feels like the first time. First safe ice finds anglers on the Red River, hoping to land that monster. Later in the season someone magically turns that switch and the greenbacks have once again moved back out into the lake. Typically both Lake Winnipeg and the Red River make it easy for anglers as far as tackle is concerned. My preference is Xstream Flasher jigs with a tub of saltys and Chubby Darters, they are guaranteed to catch fish.
Manitoba allows two rods to be used at the same time, so I take advantage of this by loading one with a Chubby Darter and one with a flasher jig. Yes, from one extreme to another. But it works wonders. With the holes drilled approximately 2 feet apart I can use my Vexilar and it reads the fish inside the same area. Setting rod one loaded with a flasher jig and a salty, I position it about 3 inches off the bottom of the river and dead stick in a rod holder. Rod two, I hold in my hand and work the Chubby Darter, which acts almost like calling in the fish. Consistently I find that when I mark a fish on the Vexilar, it may bump the Chubby Darter but then slams the Flasher Jig and salty.
 When a finicky bite is blessing us at first ice, I have often found that they are stealing half of my minnow and I am only left with a head on the hook. It seems they are not engulfing the whole minnow. After frustration sets in and a few missed fish have left their mark, I simple turn my salty around on the hook. The natural way for a fish to swallow its prey is head first so the prey’s gills do not get caught in their throat. My theory is that if I turn the salty around this is more productive and hooks more of the light bite fish.
First day of first ice of last season did make a dream come true. Jason Mattity from Regina, Saskatchewan joined us for the first of two media days that we would host during the season. Heading out to the river we realized that the fridged cold would play a factor but being die-hearts the minus forty with wind-chill would not slow us down. The rivers ice was safe but there was not a surplus of it. Most of us sat nestled in our portables with heaters on high but Jason and his brother Jeff braved the cold and only stopped in the occasional time to take the frost off. You knew how cold it was when their salty froze within seconds of being placed on their flasher jig.
With a burst of excitement Jason yelled, “Fish on and it is BIG”. The sound of zippers unzipping was simultaneous. With everyone gathered around, what can out of the 9 inch Strikemaster hole was astounding. Jeff had everything he could do to squeeze her threw the hole and the fish seemed endless. Within seconds her eyes were covered and she was taken to the safety of a heated Clam. After a few pictures she was quickly sent back to where she came from to await another lucky angler’s hook.
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Q: What gasoline should I use?
A: Use winter blend premium fuel. In Minnesota, winter blend can be purchased starting in November until April. Other states, check with your local station for winter blend. Don’t use old gas you have leftover from summer projects.
Q: What’s the best way to start my engine?
A: Check your operations manual for your specific model. As a rule, only leave it on full choke until you hear the engine pop or fire, and then take it off of choke to run. It should start next pull or two. Leaving it on full choke to long can flood the engine.
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