Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Big Bluegill

Got this fish in from Mississippi that I'm doing for another taxidermist. 1 lb. 10 1/2 oz. and 11 inches on a board. Proabably weighed more alive as it has dehyrated a little before it was initially frozen.

Question is, why would a bluegill be so broad in proportion to it's thickness? It's not really a thick fish in proportion to the side profile. As far as I can tell it's not a hybrid. If it's a coppernose bluegill (don't know if it is) would that explain the exaggerated proportions? Or is this just a fast growing fish. Thoughts?

Looks like the big fish in Bass Pro Shops and Cabellas--or any zoo for that matter. Someone asked why they look like that here on Pond Boss but I don't remember Lusk's answer.

I'd guess it's a combination of two factors. Unlimited forage throughout life is one factor and the other is that fish is a genetic freak!

That is one BIG 'GILL!!! Looks like he could use a chiropractor.

cecil, u sure he's from Miss?....looks to me like he's from Canada.....ate a hockey puck.

he could've even tussled w/ my GSF, what a PIG.

so is he red or green?

He's neither. For some reason the color changed depending on the background. The first pic had a white foam board background and the second a pink foam board background. I learned a long time ago that pics do lie when it comes to color sometimes.

CB1 I don't think that is a CNBG as at that size the male would have a clearly visible copper bar across his nose.




Good thread about iding CNBG

http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=002562;p=1#0000

Thanks Ewest but with the condition the fish was in I doubt the copper bar would still be visible. However I don't think it's a coppernose either.

I'm curious, Cecil. In a case like this where the fish was received in less-than-mint condition, do you extrapolate backwards to what he would have looked like alive and prepare the mount with that appearance? This must require some knowledge of regional appearances (i.e. CNBG) if you get them in from all over (knowledge which I bet you have as much of as anyone).

CB1 this may help

Coppernose bluegill have 12 soft rays on their anal fin as opposed to 11 soft rays found on the regular bluegill. Coppernose have fewer but wider vertical bars on their sides than do regular (common or native ) bluegill. Coppernose also have orange margins to their fins. Male coppernose has a broad copper band above the eye or forehead and are prominent during spawning season.

I have personally fished for bream in Mississippi with a brother in law in Greenville. We fished some ox bow lakes right off the Mississippi River. We fished around some barges that were being filled with grain and headed north. I have never seen bigger bream in my life. If you are ever in that area I suggest you give it a try.

CB1 at this link there are 5 wet pics of Miss BG . Pics taken within 30 seconds of coming out of the water. Some male and mature some not. If this helps any.

http://www.pondboss.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000318;p=5

CB1 at this link there are 5 wet pics of Miss BG . Pics taken within 30 seconds of coming out of the water. Some male and mature some not. If this helps any.

http://www.pondboss.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000318;p=5

It depends Theo. If I get a photo of the fish I duplicate the photo. If not I have a generic paint job I do with bluegills and haven't had a complaint yet.

However as you elluded to I've seen so many in the 24 years I've been doing this I can pretty much tell how to paint them even if I only have a dead fish to go by.

Thanks Ewest and thanks to all of you for your comments.