Fish Schtick Podcast Episode 37 – Dr. Bruce Condello

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Bruce Condello is from Lincoln, Nebraska where his time is split between his dental practice, his thriving aquaculture business, raising a handsome family, and chasing the biggest bluegills that North America has to offer. He’s also an avid angler of all things that swim, so we’ll pluck some stories out of him, but he’s known among fishing circles for the Condello Strain Bluegill, his website, BigBluegill.com, and he’s on the cover of this month’s In-Fisherman magazine holding a fish the size of a dinner plate.

Brian / Moldy Chum News

English Pete
Ty Hughes
Not a Steelhead

Teeg / Recycled Fish News

Des Moines Grandmasters Cup launches this week
Oceans opens in theaters on Earth Day
Good Press!

Around the world of fishing in 120 Seconds

Good News: A new paddle-powered fishing tournament series emerges in New York State, first event is Saturday, April 24. The catch-photo-release format is easy on fish, the no-impact nature of kayaks and canoes is easy on fisheries, and a percentage of proceeds benefits your favorite stewardship group: Recycled Fish!

Across the Country – Boy Scouts are fishing Berkley – and that’s it. Pure Fishing is providing exclusive support for the 2010 Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree.

North Carolina – There’s a new State Record White Crappie caught in the Tar River Reservoir. Ray Patterson caught the latest record-breaker, smashing the previous record by one ounce of crappie. His fish weighed 3 pounds, 12 ounces. The previous record – 3 pounds, 11 ounces – stood for only one month. Oh – and no fancy gear for this record – it was caught on a cane pole and a minnow.

Maryland – New law. Kids under 13 now have to be wearing a PFD when they’re on a boat, if it’s in motion.

Earth Day – The National Fish Habitat Plan “10 Waters to Watch” for 2010 will be announced, and this year’s Habitat Plan Award Winners will be honored. They include Scott Robinson, who collects this year’s Jim Range Conservation Vision Award for his work in the Southeast.

Also on Earth Day – DisneyNature’s “Oceans” comes to the big screen, check it out at a Rave Motion Pictures near you.

In Print – A Fish Green article in the latest Bass Times and Iowa Sportsman is out with it’s first “Green Issue” in honor of Earth Day.

This week’s Recycled Fish Stewardship Tip: Menhaden Matter. They’re being over-exploited in many areas because they’re rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. They’re an important link in the food chain, so from the paint you buy to the supplements you take, your choices could be leading to their decimation. Learn more at MenhadenMatter.org.

More fishing hoopla at MoldyChum.com – Stewardship Tips and more at RecycledFish.org.

Guest Intro / Interview

Bluegills are often looked upon around the country as the fish that got us started, but for many, they’re considered a kid’s fish, not challenging enough. We move on to the predators – bass, muskies, walleye, trout – or the trophies – wild steelhead, monster lake trout. However, there is a contingent among anglers who pursue panfish primarily, and their quest is as challenging as any trophy: the two pound bluegill. Bruce Condello has caught his share, he’s our guest on today’s Fish Schtick – from his vacation spot in Las Vegas, Nevada!

Bruce, tell us about going to North Carolina to fish Richmond Mill Lake.

What makes big bluegill interesting – who is fishing for ‘gills and why do they do it?

What constitutes a “big bluegill” how big is big?

Why don’t bluegill get more respect?

You’ve created a strain of frankengills – how did you do it? Do you have a nuclear reactor or some hormone therapy treatment?

You manage private waters – how does someone get giant bluegills in their pond?

How does one go about catching a giant – and what’s different from that and catching an average ‘gill.

Your website, BigBluegill.com, has become a meeting place for Bluegill Freaks everywhere – talk about that community.

When you’re not chasing big bluegills, I know you have a soft spot for bass with stripes, wrap us up on a good fish story!

Conservation

When we talk about ‘selective harvest’ fishing, we often talk about releasing predators and keeping panfish, but there is cause to harvest selectively even from panfish populations, right?

Quote of the Week

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