I live in OKC, OK and the trout aren't to plentiful around here Bluegill's are what we use. The castaic bluegill was a classic and I have got 8 of my top 10 fish on them, but they are getting scarce. My question is other than the Rago Soft and the 3:16 what other options do I have? I would love to see some new jointed plugs in BG pattern, and I bet more anglers feel the same way. Bass might get tired or trout too:D Im a new member too, by the way and would like to thank Rob for the site and great forum. I love hearing about the Cali lakes and fish. I just wish I could get some of the baits you guys do on a regular basis. The video section is incredible, I can show my dad and other family what these baits I talk about look like in the water.

Trey

I will have a bluegill bait out as soon as I get all my feedback from my testers.
Matt

OKC: I just received my first 3:16 Bluegill. I'm going to some phosphate pit lakes Friday and hope to use and catch my first double-digit Bass with it(or anything ;) really). The big females may(?) be on the beds. I usually fish in 'swamp' ponds or small lakes here in middle Georgia. , so a 'Bluegill' bait sounds reasonable.

Would you mind sharing any of your catches you made with your Bluegill? I need all the help I can get with this 'swimbait' method/technique.

Dan

Every single fish, I have caught with the old castaic bluegill involved slow-rolling the bait and a constant speed. Not to fast but just normal retrieve speed with a Curado. I usually let is sit for a ten count before I begin the retrieve. I have also had some strange luck with an all red arbogast ac plug. I have fished all I can with the swimbaits I have available. If you need some more tester's in a different environment I would love to help out. Do you also have a picture of it?

I have had the most success with small swimbaits using a lift and reel technique. You cast out, let the lure sink to the desired depth and then lift your rod slowly. Then you reel down slowly. the object is to keep tension on your line at all times and retrieve the lure at a slow to medium pace. It is verry simular to a steady retrieve except the bait will rise and fall about 2 to 4 feet. I usually get hit at the beginning of the fall.
Matt

At a Mike Long Swimbait seminar he was talking about the Castaic bluegill.
To make it swim better, and sink real slow, bore out a section of the belly in a bullet weight shape and then stick a 3/16 or 1/4 oz. bullet weight into it and then glue it in.
This improves the swimming action greatly and also lets it suspend on structure.
Give it a try.

Oh yeah by the way, I have seen the Mattlures bluegill and it is totally awesome. I can't wait to get one.

Get in touch with Joe Castro on the Bass-n-Tubes forum. He makes a hard, jointed bluegill bait I can't wait to get my hands on. I have an order in for one now. His baits are called "4-Eyes Swimbaits".

Chris

I looked everywhere on that forum (linked with this one?) and couldn't find any info, I would appreciate a link or something if you guys got time. The bullet Weight Idea is a great one, just wish I had about 24 more of these to play with. Very underrated swimbait if you ask me, looks good in the water and swims nice.