Bluegills on Channel Lake-Antioch IL

[Captain Ken]

Fished the Ice Team tournament on Channel on 1/19. Bluegills were the chosen species. Have not fished bluegills on the Chain through the ice before, since most of my efforts there are concentrated on muskies, but my son and I wanted to give it a try-- after all how tough can it be to catch bluegills, right?

Well, after 5 hours in our Fish Trap Guide we had none. We moved all over and tried everything except what was working.

Here is the secret, which I discovered AFTER the weigh in. Go to 4-6 feet of water and drill a bunch of holes. Look through the almost crystal clear water to find a hole where the weeds are not so thick that you can't get your ice jig through them. You have to be in standing weeds though. Use a heavier jig about #10 or #12 hook that is pretty heavy - like a genz worm or fat boy. Brighter colors were best. Spikes or waxies work- try each. Experiment with the number 2 or 3 spikes worked for most people. Get the jig through the mass of weeds and on the bottom. Bring it up a couple inches or so and see if a gill is there. Vexilar won't be of use. Too shallow. You'll need to look through the hole and see what's up down there. A fish house is good to keep the light down, but not everyone used one. People did well with or without. Don't fish the weed line or above the weeds like we did or you will have similar results. Everyone who caught bluegills caught them through the thick, thick weeds - the pain in the butt kind.

So, if you want to catch gills on Channel this is what to do. The South bay is popular, so is in front of and just north of Mentone's. There is a channel coming out of the W side toward the N end. That was popular too. Just look for the tons of holes drilled by all of us who fished the tourney.

DON'T GO BY THE SANDBAR BETWEEN CHANNEL AND CATHERINE OR WEST OR EAST OF IT---there is either open water there or weak ice. I think a snowmobiler went in there on Sun, but I'm not sure. The rest of teh ice seems to be running 8-10 inches. A power auger is good- if you have it, being it- but manual auger is not impossible either.

The bluegills kicked our butts but as soon as I have a little time I'll be back and we'll turn the tables - now I know their secret and so do you!

Biggest one caught during the tourney was 1/2 pound. 15 fish catches that won had a total weight between 5 and 5 1/2 lbs.

It was a good time overall, but a humbling experience to have your butt kicked by bluegills.

Ken

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Captain Ken Kessler
www.captainken.com
Guiding in Illinois and North East Minnesota
847-970-9108 Illinois
218-742-4680 Minnesota

[Guest]

It sounded like a painful trip ken.

[Captain Ken]

Well, we survived and will always have a laugh thinking about the day the bluegills kicked our butts! But, all in all, not too bad when you get to spend 5 hours in a little tent with your son.

Hey bluegills...if you're listening---watch out when you see us coming next time!

KK

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Captain Ken Kessler
www.captainken.com
Guiding in Illinois and North East Minnesota
847-970-9108 Illinois
218-742-4680 Minnesota