[skirtch]

When I use bluegill people tell me to cut some of the tale off so it can't move as much and drag my rig but I don't know how much to cut off without killing it.

 

[Asartin]

I normally cut about 20 to 30% on the top side of the tail. It also makes the bait bleed alittle to atrack mr kitty.

 

[hct236]

Usually about 1/3 of it. I keep a pair of those dollar store kitchen shears in the tackle box just for this purpose

 

[playin4funami]

you can cut the entire back fin off and they will still live and struggle,they just won't have the power to go very far. Actually you can cut off the rear end of the fish behind the anal vent and they will live for a couple hours,sometimes,but they won't be struggling very hard,usually I fish them whole and very occasionally trim the tailfin as much as needed to restrict their power to help hold the rig where I want it.

 

[Matt77]

Man, if you ask 10 guys the same question you will get 10 different answers. And just because something is effective in some water doesn't mean its going to work where you are. depends on how big a gill your using. you can hook them damn near anywhere. you will have to experiment and see how well you do when it comes to hooking the fish. hook behind anal fin to make em swim up, hook em behind dorsal fin to make em swim down. I like to hook them ether in the nostrils or or through the open out the the top a lil in the meat behind the lips ( NOT through bottom out top or both lips) I got off the subject but I don't really think you need to trim a gill tail.