Just got back from a pond near my neighborhood. I thought the conditions would be good for a little hardgill fishing. Most of the hits came after a long cast tight to cover. I would just let it sit for a second, then give it a slight twitch or two and they would just clobber it.

first

second

Third ;D

(I actually caught a fourth smaller than this)

Four fish landed, two more misses, and one follow. Pretty fun outing

nice dude!

well done!!! I gonna try that bait tomorrow. Any tips? How did and where did you fish it?

Thanks guys.

Soccplayer07, I was fishing a small runoff where I found some moving water. Like I said, I was just casting up tight to cover and letting it sit a for a second or two. Then I would give it a twitch or two before starting a slow retrieve. They would usually hit it after the twitch. I did get a few hits on the retrieve, but I think I got excited and pulled it away from them. Hope this helps.

Nice work out there Allyn. those are all FAT healthy fish . Way to go on the swimbait. I must learn to use it this year.

Thanks Kevin  

for sure great fish my man!!

im waiting for my TW shipment to arrive, with it is 2 mattlures hardgills....one male BG and one red ear sunfish pattern......

i haven't ever fished a hard swimbait, and am looking forward to it ;D ;D

...you say that you got the majority of the bites while deadsticking it, huh....

ive just got to learn on the water i suppose.

and once again...... great fish!!!

Thanks dude. That new green sunfish pattern looks awesome too. Good luck.

wow i think ill have to get one of those

seems like the green sunfish is the only thing i ever catch.. about that size. if i get one that size should i just use it as bait? keep it hooked in the mouth? pretty new to fishing, and trying to absorb all the knowledge i can.

I'm not really into live bait fishing and I'm not familiar with the regulations so hopefully someone else will chime in.

Also, you can try to use larger lures to stop catching the smaller fish. Hope this helps.

Some nice fish dude.  Are those Mattlures or another brand?

When you deadstick it are you just literally allowing it to lay on the bottom like it's dead? Or are you keeping your tip up so it sits right on the bottom upright?

Good job man, I don't fish too many hard swimbaits.  I have some but they cost so much I'm always afraid of losing them so I fish them primarily in open water and stuff.

Keep at it.

Thanks J. It is a mattlures, and its a floater so I don't really need to worry about losing it, unless I put it up in a tree.  ;D

Posted by: slomoe      Posted on: Yesterday at 10:34am

I'm not really into live bait fishing and I'm not familiar with the regulations so hopefully someone else will chime in.

Also, you can try to use larger lures to stop catching the smaller fish. Hope this helps.

not sure about your neck of the woods on this one, as most all state differ.... but here in fl, i use live bluegill at times.... so long as they were caught hook and line, they are ok for bait.