For those who may have a continuing interest in the Hybrid Bluegill/Redear that I appear to have in my pond, I have been trying to catch additional examples. I have had some luck as follows: using small crawlers I have caught 2 large fish, 1 @ 1lb 13oz on a handheld scale and another about the same size, but it slipped out of my hand before I could weigh it. These things are quite a handfull and you really can't hold them with one hand. Perhaps more interesting is some "smaller" fish in the 9" to 12" range. They are quite dark in color as opposed to the "standard" Bluegills, although I can't detect any Red on the flaps whereas the large fish exhibit a narrow red band on the edge. I am pretty sure that there is some reproduction going on and will have to continue studying the population. Whatever is going on, catching these things on an ultralight with 4 lb test line is quite an experience. My inclination is to believe that they are Redears but since I have no previous experience with them, I can't say for sure. If these are Redears, you all should be planting them in your ponds if you are in the right climate.
Jim
