Hybrid bluegill are a cross between a sunfish and a bluegill. They tend to feed in shallow, weeded areas, although anglers have caught larger fish in water as deep as 15 feet. The key to bringing home a good catch is locating the hybrid bluefish school and working bait or a jig in ways that entice the fish to bite.
Have the Right Rig
Spool your reel with 6 lb. to 8 lb. light green monofilament line. Hybrid bluegill have a small mouth so, if you're fishing with red worms or grubs as bait, a size 10 to size 12 hook is best. Use a whole grub or a small piece of the red worm and cover the point of the hook with the bait. Clip a small bobber about 2 feet from the hook to keep your bait from snagging in the weeds. If you're going deeper, omit the bobber and use a 1/8 oz. split shot sinker.
Use a Slow Retrieve
Start by working the bait about 6 feet from the shoreline and avoid hammering the surface with a lot of casts. If the fish are in the area, you should have a strike within a minute or so after the ripples from the bobber flatten out. If not, start a slow retrieve, pausing every 3 to 4 feet and allowing the bait to settle. If the fish haven't shown after a few casts, move to another area and work your bait the same way.
Try Jigs
Use a 1/16 oz. lead head jig, either bright yellow or pink. Tie the jig directly to the end of your line using a clinch knot. Clip off the tag end of the knot about 1/8-inch from the jig. Cast the jig about 6 feet from the shoreline. If you're fishing near reeds, cast as close to them as possible. Let the jig sink for two or three seconds and start a slow retrieve, pausing every 3 or 4 feet to allow the jig to settle. If you don't get a strike, make a second cast about 10 feet to one side or the other of the first one and work the jig in the same way.
Target Larger Fish
Situate your boat so you are close to a school of smaller hybrid bluegill that are biting. Rig up with a 1/8 oz. chrome lure to target bigger fish in deeper water. Cast 10 feet to 15 feet from the smaller fish and allow the lure to drift to the bottom. Take a couple of turns on the reel and slowly lift the rod tip to bring the lure off the bottom. Hold the rod upright and allow the lure to swing in a pendulum arc to attract the bluegill. Make a second cast using the same technique.
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