Good read, and nice fish SPEEDBEAD!

Thats a good'un Wayne! Nice work!

Speedbead, was your fish on a bed? Looking at the trees behind you, and the fact the 'gills are bedding, makes me wonder if your bass spawn isn't over, and that's a well fed post-spawn female you caught.

I follow a VERY consistent pattern on my bluegill waters. Post-spawn bass, esp large one, focus on the bluegill spawn. These are the mature 'gills spawning and are the largest in the system -so the largest bass are right there with them.

In my waters, (ponds and small res), I look for and mark the 'gill colonies. They WILL have mature, often large, bass hanging out just outside. If you get a good view you can see bass lined up in a semi-circle around the colony. I'm wondering if that's what you caught a glimpse of.

It's a very consistent pattern in my waters, and they are aggressive, feeding, bass.

Speedbead, was your fish on a bed? Looking at the trees behind you, and the fact the 'gills are bedding, makes me wonder if your bass spawn isn't over.

That fish shows no signs of being post spawn imo.

Yeah, she sure has quite a belly, is in beautiful condition, and vent doesn't look distended. It's possible she spawned early and even be carrying another batch of eggs she'll resorb -mebbe.

Just curious. When I heard "dark shapes around a bluegill colony" I immediately thought of the great post-spawn/pre-summer pattern I see here.

WTG Wayne, Awesome fish and Healthy looking for sure........

Big O

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