Ask any seasoned angler about the largest bluegill ever caught, and you'll likely get the same answer: 4 pounds, 12 ounces. That number, set in 1950, is etched into fishing lore. But the real story behind that record is more than just a weight on a scale. It's about a specific moment in time, a unique body of water, and a set of circumstances that haven't perfectly aligned since. More importantly, understanding why this record has stood for over 70 years reveals everything you need to know about catching a true trophy bluegill yourself.

The Undisputed King: The 1950 World Record

Ketona Lakes, near Birmingham, Alabama, weren't your typical farm ponds. They were old quarry lakes fed by springs, with incredibly clear water and a unique ecosystem. This environment, less prone to the overcrowding that stunts bluegill growth in most lakes, was a key ingredient.

Here are the hard facts on the record fish, the kind of details real anglers care about:

That girth measurement is what separates a long fish from a true giant. An 18-inch bluegill is a monster in every sense. For perspective, a typical hand-sized bluegill you'd be happy to catch might have a girth of 8-10 inches.

How Was the Record Bluegill Caught?

The specifics of T.S. Hudson's tackle and bait are lost to history, which is frustrating. Based on the era and common practices, it was almost certainly caught on simple live bait—a redworm, cricket, or maybe a small minnow—presented under a quill float on monofilament line. The simplicity is humbling.

But here's the non-consensus part everyone misses: the "why" of Ketona Lakes. These were deep, clear, spring-fed quarries with limited access. They weren't hammered by anglers daily. The bluegill population had space and clean water, two things most modern lakes struggle to provide. The baitfish and insect life were likely prolific. That fish lived a long, well-fed life in near-perfect conditions before it ever saw Hudson's hook.

You can't replicate 1950s Ketona Lake. But you can look for its modern equivalents: private ponds, deep spring-fed lakes, or reservoirs with strict fishing pressure and good forage bases. They're rare, but they exist.

The Missouri Contender: Fact or Fish Story?

No discussion of the largest bluegill is complete without the elephant in the room: the 5-pound Missouri bluegill.

The story goes that in 1969, an angler in a farm pond in St. Louis County pulled out a bluegill that bottomed out a 5-pound scale. It's a fantastic story, and I've heard it told a dozen ways. The problem? There's no photo that clearly shows the fish on a scale with the weight visible. There was no official submission to the IGFA or the Missouri Department of Conservation.

This doesn't mean the Missouri angler is lying. It means his incredible catch serves as a cautionary tale for every angler who dreams of breaking a record: know the rules, have a certified scale ready, and take clear, verifiable photos. A potential world-record moment can be lost in the excitement.

How Can You Catch a Trophy Bluegill?

Forget about 4 pounds for a second. Let's talk about catching a legitimate trophy—a bluegill over 2 pounds. That's a lifetime fish for most anglers, and it's absolutely achievable. The strategy is completely different from catching a mess of eaters.

1. Location is Everything (And It's Probably Deep)

Big bluegill don't live with the little ones. After the spring spawn, they move to deeper, cooler water. While the small fish are in the weeds in 5 feet of water, the giants are suspending over deep basins (25-40 feet) near sharp drop-offs or hanging on deep brush piles. You need a fish finder. I'm not kidding. Graph the deep water for suspended balls of baitfish; big bluegill will be nearby.

2. The Right Gear Makes All the Difference

This is where most people fail. You can't horse a 2-pound bluegill out of heavy cover with bass gear. You also can't feel the subtle bite of a wise old fish on heavy line.

• Rod: A 7-foot, light or ultralight power rod with a fast tip. Sensitivity is king.
• Reel: A small 1000-size spinning reel with a smooth drag.
• Line: 2-4 lb test fluorocarbon. Fluorocarbon is nearly invisible underwater and has low stretch, so you feel everything.

3. Bait and Presentation: Think Small and Subtle

Big bluegill didn't get big by being stupid. Your presentation must be finesse.

• Live Bait: A single, lively redworm or a small cricket on a #6 or #8 light-wire hook. Don't ball up a bunch of worms.
• Artificials: Micro jigs (1/80 to 1/32 oz) in black, brown, or green. Pair them with a 1-inch plastic grub or a piece of a worm. The Cadillac technique is a small jig tipped with a live waxworm, slowly worked vertically in deep water.
• Rig: A simple small split-shot pinched 12-18 inches above the hook. Let it sink to the bottom, then lift it slowly. The bite is often a soft "tap" or just weight.

The Single Biggest Mistake Anglers Make

They fish for bluegill like it's a cartoon. Loud splashing, heavy bobbers, big hooks, and only fishing the obvious shallow banks during the spawn. A trophy bluegill is a predator that has survived for 8-10 years. It's cautious.

The fix? Go stealth. Approach quietly. Use the lightest line you can manage. Downsize your bait. And most importantly, fish deeper than you think you need to, especially from late summer through fall. The biggest bluegill I've personally caught (just shy of 2 pounds) came in October from 28 feet of water on a 1/32 oz jig while everyone else was pounding the empty shoreline.

Your Bluegill Record Questions Answered

The record bluegill is more than a number. It's a reminder of what these common fish are capable of under ideal conditions. It's a benchmark that pushes anglers to look beyond the dock, to refine their techniques, and to appreciate the biology behind the bite. While you may never tie into a 4-pounder, the pursuit will make you a better angler. And you might just find that your personal best—that thick-shouldered, deep-water giant—is waiting where you least expect it.