One of the biggest mistakes I see parents make when they take their kids fishing is to use too big of a hook size when fishing for bluegill and other sunfish. There’s a local pond I go to often which is pretty good for fishing with kids. Though my kids and I are usually only a few feet away from other parents and we’re all fishing with worms, we are pulling in panfish after panfish and the only difference is we are using the right hook size.
This article is aimed to help the parents out there who are clueless put their kids on a few more fish.
What Hook Size is Best for Bluegill, Sunfish, or Crappie?
The next time you catch a bluegill, look at its mouth. Notice: it is small. Therefore, why would you fish for bluegill with a hook too large to fit in it? A size 8 or 6 sized hook is perfect for fishing for bluegill, sunfish, crappie, and basically any panfish you can find. A size 8 hook fits in a bluegill’s mouth easily. That’s the first step in catching them!
What Type of Hook is Best for Bluegill, Sunfish, or Crappie?
My favorite type of hook for bluegill is an Aberdeen style hook in size 8 or so. I personally prefer these ones by Eagle Claw. These have a long shank which helps with unhooking the spiny little buggers and the business end is small enough to easily fit in their mouths. Though small, these hooks are strong enough to hold up to any panfish you’re going to catch, and even do OK if your kid hooks into a bass or smaller catfish. I also like them because they’re relatively safe to fish with kids. Even when a kid jabs themselves with one of these, removal is pretty straight forward.
Some folks prefer baitholder hooks when fishing for bluegill because you’re often putting worms on them. However, I usually only use a piece of worm rather than the whole thing. This increases my catch rate, so there really isn’t a need for the extra barbs on a baitholder hook.
Do Circle Hooks Work for Bluegill?
Small circle hooks (generally size 6 to 10) can work well for bluegill and they can be a good hook to use if you’re leaving your rod in the holder rather than holding it in your hands. A circle hook is designed to catch the corner of a fish’s mouth as it swims away. This helps prevent it from gut hooking itself and as a result, circle hooks tend to have a lower mortality rate than regular j hooks.
You might also find circle hooks a decent option when fishing with kids who haven’t quite mastered a hook set yet. Children tend to start reeling like crazy when they feel a fish. This isn’t always ideal with normal hooks, but is actually what you’re supposed to do with circle hooks.
If you don’t know the difference between these hooks, I wrote an article to help distinguish between circle hooks and j style hooks.
What Size Jig is Best for Bluegill?
1/32 oz and smaller jigs such as marabou jigs and even ball head ones tipped with a small grub work great for bluegill, but you’ll want to keep them small. It’s no coincidence that many of the bluegill fishing starter packs feature a wide variety of plastics and small jigs to attach them to.
Small jigs can be a great way to catch bluegill when you need a little extra weight to either get your bait where you want it or to feel it on a windy day. The hopping and swimming action of a small 1/32 oz jig head is often perfect to entice bluegill, sunfish, crappie, yellow perch, and other panfish to bite. Just be prepared to lose a few as they will also call up their share of chain pickerel and other toothy predators!
Where Can I Find a Sizing Chart for Bluegill Hooks?
A great resource is this sizing chart from Jann’s Netcraft Fishing Tackle. The great thing about this sizing chart is it is 1:1 when you print it out. This is an advantage over anything I could build in house for you folks.
Frankly this website is a great place to buy odds and ends that fall off of your tackle, making it last longer. For example, I often go here to find particular spinnerbait blades, replacement treble hooks, or just lure blanks. It doesn’t get as much publicity as the other big online retailers, but you can (and should) get lost for a few hours perusing what they have. You’ll note I have no affiliation with them whatsoever — I just believe in the company and feel they deserve your bookmark.
Do You Set the Hook on Bluegill?
Unless you’re using a circle hook, I do recommend setting the hook with bluegill, crappie, sunfish, and other panfish. While these fish are small and the hooks you’re using are light, a quick little tug or sweep helps set the hook before these expert bait-thieves can spit it out. I’ve also found that setting the hook on bluegill helps prevent them from swallowing the hook which can happen if you just leave it untouched for some time hoping they’ll stick themselves.
How Should I Rig a Hook for Bluegill?
You really can’t go wrong with rigging up a size 8 Aberdeen style hook for bluegill. You can get fancy and use a drop shot, or just tie it straight onto a line. I suppose, begrudgingly, you might even use a bobber. Regardless of how you rig your bluegill hook, it’s important to use the right sized worm. You’re going to want to use a fresh nightcrawler, but I advise cutting it into pieces. Just thread a little centimeter-sized piece onto the business end of that hook. That will keep fish from stealing your offering.
While fish will eat dead worms, you’re going to be far better off if the morsel you offer is plump, so try and keep the worm alive and well until you need it. I recommend keeping their container somewhere dark and cool.
Conclusions
In conclusion, a size 8 Aberdeen style longshank panfish hook is about the best fishing hook for bluegill you can use. First, these small hooks easily fit in a bluegill’s mouth. Secondly, the long shank makes removing them a breeze. Finally, they’re inexpensive and can be bought in quantity. All of this makes them a great lure for fishing with kids!
I hope this helps you put your kids on some fish. Don’t hesitate to leave a comment or reach out with any questions!
Thanks,
