i didnt want to hijack the other thread and i dont think ive posted this before but do remember answering questions about it on here before. ky lake tradition for years has been to keep the larger bluegills to eat and release the smaller ones and all females. the last few years i have noticed a significant drop in larger specimens on the lake, on the south side, probably from a combination of overharvesting, comorants and asian carp. take the info for what it is and not trying to tell folks what to do in anyway. bluegill have a unique social heirarchy that can be disrupted if over pressured that can lead to smaller fish.
blog.nature.org
Big Battles, Big Gonads: The Crazy World of the Bluegill Spawn
The common bluegill is easy to take for granted. But come spawning season, a bluegill colony is one of the wildest scenes in nature: part barroom brawl, part cheesy ‘80s romantic comedy.
blog.nature.org
