Has anyone here ever used live bluegill for bait fishing for bass?

I live next to a pond full of 2-5 inch bluegill. Many times when I need to fish and can't get away I take a 5 minute walk and do some catch and release of these little critters.

Are they legal to use for bait and do they work well for bass?

The Duke

Not legal x(

In most areas anyways,the Colorado river is the only place that I can think of where it is ok to use them for bait.

Trev-

blue gills are not legal, fines are any where from $500 to $750 depending on the officer that catches you. i'd imagine that bass would enhale the blue gills, ive seen them crash the bank for them, but it is illegal.

Living in Hawaii, I have caught some of my biggest fish on live bluegill, and live talapia. We have tucanare (peacock bass) there too which are pretty difficult to catch on lure or soft plastics.

My favorite way to rig it is get a big ole hook, hook them in the back of their head and throw them on about a 3 foot leader udner a bobber. They'll struggle and swim around, the wounded action will excite any big fish into striking.

Evan

Yup, definitely illegal in CA waters with the exception of the Colorado River. Flathead cats and LARGEmouth bass will inhale these guys at the CO. River. The bluegills can get real big out there.
Article 3. Section 4.

Man, that sucks. :-(

Thanks y'all for responding.

The Duke

Actually... It's legal in the Delta, Sacramento, American, and Feather Rivers. Also in a few lakes in the Central California Valley, I believe. SEE- Article 3 4.20 re: Valley and South Central Districts.

"I don't keep what I catch. I just stick a barbed hook in its face, yank it gasping from the water, rip the hook out, & then throw it back in, leaving it to wonder what kind of god would allow such a thing."

Hmmm, I believe your right. See Article 3 Section 4.20(d)1,2,3. It referred back to CO. River live bait allowances (Section 4.05).