I feed my bluegills crickets and grasshoppers whenever I can. Earlier in the spring I raided every tent caterpillar nest I could find for fresh, moving protein.
Now seems to be the peak of the grasshopper season and the fields around the pond are loaded with them. Yesterday I caught a big grasshopper and sent him for a swim. A bluegill sucked him down instantly. The fish then returned to the spot where the bug landed and looked up at me as if to say, "Hey Dad, give me another one."
So I caught another big 'hopper and tossed him at the same bluegill. Whoosh! The 'hopper went down the hatch abeit a little slower with swallowing. Again, the bluegill gave me that plaintive look and I relented with a third big 'hopper. Remember that we are talking a six inch fish here. Mr. Bluegill took Mr. 'Hopper right away but couldn't swallow him. He swam around frantically with half a 'hopper sticking out of his mouth trying to keep the other fish from stealing it. I figure yesterday was the equivalent of Thanksgiving Day for that little dude!
