Bluegill a top catch in Show Me State

Ken White/Special to the Daily Mail/ Kevin White with one of the many bluegill he caught from a favorite Cedar County pond.

Nevada Daily Mail

As we looked over a Vernon County farm pond during the late afternoon sunlight, we saw dimpling rises in the weeds along the shoreline. That was all we needed to know that there were bluegill in the pond. Out came the ultra-light fishing gear and the fun started.

It took less than an hour before we had all the big bluegill we wanted to clean along with two nice channel catfish. It proved once again that farm ponds can save the day when nothing is hitting in the big impoundments.

Ken white/Daily Mail/ A happy youngster with a bluegill from a pond.

Some of the best fishing and catching often happens when the heat is on. Many times in August ponds have saved the day. It's amazing just how many fishing ponds are available in the area. Nearly every one of them hold fish especially the fighting and tasty bluegill or perch.

There are several things that make for good pond fishing for bluegill in the heat of summer including the action bluegill give on ultra-light gear, on even a fly-rod.

Many kids catch their first fish in a farm pond where they can usually depend on some action. For years, I worked on trying to get the bluegill named as the state fish. What better fish in the state gives so much to so many? Bluegill hit everything from flies to worms and are caught by kids as well as grandparents.

Some perch and bluegill caught from a Vernon County pond.

They fight big for their size and are great on the dinner table. Best of all, they are found statewide and furnish a lot of fun for everyone who goes after them.

It really doesn't matter what time of day you fish for bluegill because they seem to always be ready for a treat. In fact, some of the best fishing for those fighters is in the heat of the day when insects are active and the fish are waiting for one to get close enough for them to grab a bite.

A farm pond angler from Jackson County, Jack Larson, has two ponds, almost an acre each, where he keeps the area around the ponds mowed so it can be fished easily by his grandchildren.

A happy angler with a mix of perch and bluegill from a pond.

He said, "I get a kick each time the kids go fishing for bluegill in the ponds. They always have some action and learn a lot about fishing.

From now to October fishing for bluegill and other panfish is fine for top-water lures as proven by Glen Walker of Bolivar. Recently, Walker landed a 5 pound bass plus 14 big bluegill while using a popping bug on a Hickory County pond. He said, "I saw fish hitting bugs that had fallen into the water, so I put a yellow popping bug on my fly-rod and the action started."

The weather may get hot in August, but the fishing can get even hotter. The action will soon make you forget the weather.