But bluegills belong to that unscientifically defined ... cricket’s back and the light hook helps ensure the bait doesn’t fly off during the cast. Once rigged, however, you can fish a cricket under a ...

A spring bobber can detect light bites from finicky winter bluegills. / Joe Shead If you wait to feel the classic “thump” of a fish hitting your jig, you’ll miss a lot of subtle bluegill bites.