Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Bluegills on beds

So can anyone tell me about how long is an adult BG on their beds? From time they make a bed till they are done with it?

Thx,
RC

Around here BGs start spawning in May and some of them might still be on the beds all thru the summer.

Well I know they bed all summer but they take breaks. I was just wondering how long they are on a bed from start to finish.

RC

Can you define start and finish, RC? As in time spent building the nests, or time spent guarding the fry until they are on their own? Water temps play a role, as cooler temps will drive the males off while building nests. The eggs will hatch in just a few days, again depending upon water temps. The fry will remain on the bed under the male's protection for another few days.

Females spend very little time on the nest.

Hey Spark,

I guess that's what I am wondering, mostly the time frame in which the bluegill wont eat because they are guarding the nest. Around 3 to 5 days I would guess then?

thx,
RC

It's probably not at all accurate, but I tend to classify bedding males as being either committed or non committed, when sitting on a nest. If they are still in the construction phase, they will readily depart when spooked, and may not be in too great a hurry to return. I consider that as uncommitted. I can oftentimes catch these males out in deeper water, after being driven off the nest.

If there are eggs present in the nest, the male may still spook but usually return pretty quick. He's committed to defending that nest, and he's not off foraging for food. That's not to say that he won't pluck a tasty offering up from the bottom of the nest however, and I've caught many bluegills while sight fishing a lively worm dropped into the nest.

I suppose "won't eat" is somewhat subjective. While the fish may appear indifferent to many offerings, I have yet to see a male BG that couldn't be caught off the nest, provided the fish and the bottom of the nest is visible, and the proper technique is employed. RES however, are often another story.

I don't advocate for pillaging a spawning colony, as removing too many large males can negatively impact a fishery. But the fact is, like many anglers I grew up doing just that.

My hands down favorite way to take bedding bluegills? A 6' ultralight spooled with 2lb test, and a size 8 popper, like what's used with a fly rod. Add a waxworm or two for added casting weight, approach the nesting site on your knees to avoid spooking them, and fish the outside perimeter. Dragging a frantic BG through the middle of the colony will certainly make your job much harder.

RC, I apologize if this is a highjack and will move this if need be, but I have a bad case of FA this year with mats surrounding the perimeter of the pond and I can see the submerged FA extending out (in some places) around 20' (no boat in the pond yet) and may even be more widespread.

With the Crappie I cleaned still full of eggs and thinking they should have spawned as my water temp is nearly 65, will the FA in the shallows impact the BG's ability to make their beds and spawn?

The majority of my BOW is 4-5' deep (2 acres) and in the past the beds have been all along the shorelines.

I was hoping for a big BG spawn this year!

Thanks!

Bluegills will move it out if neccessary. I've seen redears spawn in holes right down in it.

Our bluegills nest in it. They just fan it out of the way.

Lots on BG nesting in PB mag articles. Several studies by SDSU/PB on the subject (see below).

BG will find a way to spawn. Time about 10-14 days from start to finish on one spawn.


http://www.sdstate.edu/nrm/research-endowments/upload/Stahr_bluegill-nesting_JFE.pdf

2012 Without Cutrine Plus Granules:


2013 With Cutrine Plus Granules (& more Tilapia per acre:)



http://www.killlakeweeds.com/products/cutrine-plus-granular?gclid=COqjxpyInb4CFScV7AodoQgA8w

I also have a question, I believe the first BG will be bedding during the full moon in May (which is next week). Then I believe, each full moon coming during the summer months kinda triggers them to spawn? Is this true?

Is the RES spawn also effected by the moon? Sorry for piling on this thread.

It's a commonly held belief that bluegills spawn on or around the full moon, but whether or not the moon phase is the actual trigger or not, I don't know. Personally, I suspect other variables come into play also.

I know I never took moon phases into consideration when searching out spawning bluegills, but I know plenty of anglers who do.

Right now, we have BG's and RES spawning in all five of our ponds....and the activity is heavy, despite the lack of a full or new moon.

Thread Hijack On: Hey Sparkie, have you seen Mr. Flathead this year?

Thread Hijak Off: Back to bedding bluegills.

Yolk, I haven't seen Flat Albert yet this year. It's a little early yet, perhaps in two or three weeks?

Spark thanks for the info! No problem on the semi hijack they were good questions!

Eric thanks for the info and the link!



RC