Skip to main content

Finding Goliath Gills

Finding Goliath Gills

Rick Hammer caught this one on a Lindy Bug. (That I gave him.) And a wax worm. To find him, we had to move several times.

When the most dependable spots from times past failed to turn up more than a couple bulls, Dave, "Shoggie" Shogren suggested we cross the lake to an area I'd never been on. We actually never needed to go very far from the entry point to this lake to find fish, but the coldest day of the year so far took place just a couple days prior. The fish we did find were very reluctant.

So we found some fish slightly less pressured. Almost virgin, you might say (if such a thing is possible, like being slightly pregnant). It was a sandy point or bar with cabbage around it. Now, finding a spot like that is one thing. But you then have to find the fish on the spot. Easy with a boat. Takes a lot of holes to find the right cabbage stalks on the right slopes at the perfect depth.

Actually, we never found much.


Cabbage, that is. And what I could find with my Vexilar was in water too shallow, disappearing at about 10 feet. The bluegills, this day, definitely preferred depths of 14 to 16 feet. We find them in 8 feet at times, but 12 to 18 is the general range.

The key is finding a bottom transition leading to those weeds. If you can. In the outdoor media, we tend to make it sound like transitions are narrow and everywhere and obvious. They aren't and, uh, they aren't. Not always obvious, either. Sometimes you have to train yourself to look for changes over an area 20 to 30 feet across. Barely noticeable changes in bottom readings on a flat can make all the difference.

A rise generally indicates harder bottom. Finding that "sharp break" is another key. In lakes like these, "sharp" describes a drop of three feet over a linear distance of 12 feet or so. Find that spot. If it has weeds on top (way up there — all three feet), ooh, baby.


Better to find these pug-nosed pugilists away from the cabbage, like they were the other day, 48 hours after the most severe cold front of the year. So far. To find them up on top (way, way up there, man) in stable, warm weather is to battle with many more than we did. But, to find them at all? And to find a few that can be convinced to bite with a Thorne Brothers Quiver Stick? Piscalicious.

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Learn

In-Fisherman TV Springtime Smallmouth SlamFest

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Learn

Choose the Right Hooks for Your Harness Rigs and CATCH MORE FISH

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Learn

Andy Montgomery's Strike King Skipping Buzzbait

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Learn

Lew's Signature Series Bladed Jig Rod with Andy Montgomery

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Learn

Hide Your Line--Camo Trick for Fishing Line with Bryant Smith

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Learn

Pick the RIGHT Buzzbait Trailers with Andy Montgomery

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Learn

The Strike King KVD Popping Perch is AWESOME with Bryant Smith

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Learn

When to Fish a BIG JIG for Bass with Greg Hackney

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Learn

The BEST Way to Trim A Jig Skirt with Greg Hackney

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Learn

Prespawn Buzzbaits for BIG Largemouth Bass with Keith Combs

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Learn

Keith Combs talks about the Strike King Rage Cut-R Worm

The swim jig should be a staple in every serious bass angler's arsenal. Legendary professional bass angler Mark Davis ex...
Gear

Swim Jig Secrets for Shallow Water Largemouth Bass with Mark Davis

In-Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the In-Fisherman App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All In-Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now