A keeper

By Aaron Horrell

April is the month bluegill fishermen have been waiting for all winter. Bluegill, as well as most other fish in Southeast Missouri, are lethargic in winter. This makes locating and catching a limit of bluegill difficult during the colder months.

The days of April can be counted upon to be warm enough that the fish will be moving. Earthworms are an excellent choice of bait for catching springtime bluegill. This is one of several 8- to 10-inch bluegill I caught on a warm April morning in 2017.

Bluegill will bite best when using a very small hook on 4 pound test line with a very small bobber. Pinch an earthworm in half and thread it onto the hook, being sure to hide the barb of the hook in the worm. Slightly murky water is preferred with the bobber set about 15 inches up the line from the hook.