How old is the bluegill record in Alabama?
Only serendipity would explain why the bluegill record is 70 years old, even though this species is found in nearly every body of water in the state. The record shellcracker was caught 58 years ago. What can we learn by reviewing how and where our record bream were caught, and how can we apply that knowledge today to find and catch big sunfish?
Where was the world record bluegill and shellcracker caught?
For the next 23 years, Alabama waters would hold the world record for both bluegill and redear. On May 23, 1985, C.L. Windham of Ariton in Dale County, caught a 4-pound, 10-ounce shellcracker from Merritts Mill Pond, which is only 16 miles from the Chattahoochee State Park, but the pond is in northwest Florida.
What did my father do when his mother was embalmed?
The day after she died, I took my father to the funeral home, where he bought the most expensive coffin available. The mortician assured him it was waterproof. Two days later, after my mother had been embalmed, we returned. I started to walk into the Slumber Room.
How big was the bluegill in Ketona lake Alabama?
Drawing national attention to the 18- to 20-acre pit, Field and Stream had reported the smaller of the two Ketona lakes as an Alabama panfish hotspot. Hudson’s bluegill was 4 pounds, 12 ounces, 15 inches long, and 18¼ inches in girth.
Only serendipity would explain why the bluegill record is 70 years old, even though this species is found in nearly every body of water in the state. The record shellcracker was caught 58 years ago. What can we learn by reviewing how and where our record bream were caught, and how can we apply that knowledge today to find and catch big sunfish?
For the next 23 years, Alabama waters would hold the world record for both bluegill and redear. On May 23, 1985, C.L. Windham of Ariton in Dale County, caught a 4-pound, 10-ounce shellcracker from Merritts Mill Pond, which is only 16 miles from the Chattahoochee State Park, but the pond is in northwest Florida.
How long has bluegills been declining in size?
Research tells a different story. Rypel analyzed size trends going back to the 1940’s, and found that bluegills (and other panfish species) steadily declined in size over a 70-year period. Researcher Andre Rypel (right) first encountered bluegills as many of us do: as a young kid, fishing. “The regulations are relatively liberal,” he says.
What do you know about bluegill management is wrong?
Andre Rypel continues to fish for bluegills and other panfish. And while the bluegill may seem an unlikely symbol for global fisheries management, what Rypel says applies to large commercial fisheries as surely as it does the local farm pond.
