Is there any reason to use a floro leader/line, or will braid and hi-vis line give me just as many strikes?

That's something folks will argue for a long, long time. Why not try both and see which one seems to do best for you.

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I only went once with a guide in WI. We got blown out of a smallie float trip by tornado threats. The blue gills were a blast. Did not seem to be line shy at all. The guide explained that they are territorial and will hit a fly to protect their turf.
Herb

Having fished for bluegills on and off since 1947, it is my learned opinion that bluegills are not in the least line shy but only want to please the fisherman (especially the younger ones) by taking just about any offering put in front of them.

Some of the most fun I've ever had fishing was with a 4 wgt fly rod, wading in the shallows of a lake and catching 8 to 11 inch bluegills on small surface popping bugs. Ounce for ounce, one of the great fighters in the fish world.

I have allways wanted to build myself a fly rod for blue gill fishing. I know nothing about fly rods and also have never fished with one. If I was to build one, what wgt would you reccomend, and what would be a good blank to start with.

Thanks,
Steve

Steve Bro
(BroCo Custom Rods)

A 3 or 4 weight rod in an 8' length would be a good rod for bluegills or bream in general. The longer the rod, the greater the fight they'll put up.

I have a fantastic American Tackle 7'9" 3-weight that's really fun on these fish. Sadly, they no longer make it. I think the blank retailed for something like $17 at the time and it's one of my favorite fly rods. But there are plenty of other options out there - you don't have to spend a fortune to obtain a nice light-line fly rod blank.

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Thanks Tom

I caught a nice one under a dock on a 5" Senko, #3 hook, and 20# white braid.

I would say use the lightest line you can get away with. For ice fishing they are very line shy.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/08/2009 11:58AM by Chuck Mills.

Here is something I am VERY experienced with, note it is not rod building. Bluegill will strike any clear or red mono 10lbs or under, over that they get nervous. Braids and fireline work fine, but like most other things in fishing, I have the most luck with Flurocarbon, this is most likely because Although I keep mono around for floating stuff, I rarely use it. I tie a fluorocarbon leader even on my casting and spinning rods lined with mono. My favorite for bream is a step down leader tied with stren superknot and a flurocarbon tippet. I use 4 lb triple fish most.

Bluegills are used to eating things that are nearly microscopic, and know how these little tidbits react when they are inhaled. Stands to reason that the smallest line you are willing to fish will surely get more takes. Many times if I am on a serious gill mission in clear water I will fish 2# line, and at times go to 1lb. Big trophy gills have been around for a decade and have seen just about everything (depending on the waters you are fishing), Gotta outsmart the big ones, anything under 9" is relatively easy most times.

Rod I use extensively is the loomis Noodle rod (N1382). Fantastic panfish blank w/ micro guides...