Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

I'm thinking of getting my daughter a TFO Bug Launcher for (semi) good behavior, but not sure which would be the best model for her. The choices are a 7' 4/5 weight or 8' 5/6 weight. I'm thinking it might be the 7' with a 5 weight line, but I've been known to be wrong :p

Your thoughts?

Thanks!

Jonathan

Views: 192

Replies to This Discussion

Is this Her first fly rod????? I would agree with you 7' with the 5 wt. line!!!!!! Now on the other hand if her BEHAVIOR improves go with the 8'6" 4 wt.!!!! http://www.templeforkflyrods.com/products/rods/signature.html

Those products are sound and Quality !!!!!!!!!!!!!

the longer roads are usually a little easier to cast and its only 0.3 oz. heavier.

I think I would go with the 7 ft if casts are reasonably short. I have a 7, 8 and 9, and use the 7 75% of the time.  I usually fish narrow creeks and rivers and the 7 is just right. Only time I use the 9 is in more open areas.  I'm not all that good so need plenty of back cast space.

I'd go with the shorter rod not only because of the casting advantages but also kids with long rods soon end up with multiple short rods...they stick them in the ground walking, slam them in doors, catch the tips getting in and out of the boat, etc.

Thanks for the input, everyone! It looks like I'll be going with the 7 foot rod.  I've heard such good things about the bug launchers that I wonder if I'll find myself stealing it and making her use my Sage Flight instead lol.

Bill - good point about the long rod -> short rod thing - she doesn't have the greatest spatial awareness of where the other end of her 5 foot spincast rod is already :)

Jonathan, Be sure to give us an up date on the rod!!!!!!!

Yep, keep us updated on the rod and your daughter's fly session. I wonder if she lands you as her first catch of the day *LOL* After playing with the Shakespeare Wonderod, I'll be getting that one for my father-in-laws and 13 years old son as intro to fly rodding. They still scare the crap out of me with the spinning gears close quarter. Fly rodding..I may have to reevaluate my insanity.

can't think of a better choice.my bug launching improved 100% when i got a tfo.i prefer a shorter rod so did lee wulff

Jim,
Once she gains some confidence with catching fish with that rod and your encouragement that things are going her way...the spacial and ownetship of the rod will change dramatically...suddenly it will be "her" rod and no one will be alllowed to treat it like she will...even the "old man". And to be honest...that is the lesson you are venturing into..she's responsible, she's in control, she can make it happen! You are a great Dad for making the investment in her! It is going to pay you back tenfold!

RSS

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Nesting Pair of Ospreys......

"Yeah most nests are not this close to the water and this river is remote with alligators and large…"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Nesting Pair of Ospreys......

"Guess the Osprey knew it was a great spot too. The Cormorants up here are murder on the stocked…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Nesting Pair of Ospreys......

"This was a great fishing spot for me until the osprey nested……I’ve seen chicks…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

So many spots to place your bait...

"These cypress trees are now in the water….still producing great fishing…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

The big Cypress downed by a Hurricane.....

"This is a good example John…..I posted this picture in 2012 and a couple weeks ago I caught…"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"Thanks John…..being in the south we’re always drawn to cypress trees and the…"
Sunday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"Nice info, Jeffrey! Up here my main Crappie habits have been wood cover near deep water and willow…"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

My Dad Doesn't know Where to Cast Next.......

"This is my dad who loved fishing…..this cove is similar to the one with all cattails but in…"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"I think all fresh water fish like to relate to cattails…..the most cattails I’ve ever…"
Sunday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"Up here the Pickerel can be found by Cattails and other tall reed areas. The first spawning…"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

This is always a great spot with cypress, cattails and now a blooming hibiscus..next time I’m there…
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Fish Attractant in the Coastal N.C. Marsh…..7/4/2025

"Thanks John…anytime you get close to them there’s hundreds of different insects…"
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Joe Struck Copper on a Sand Bar….7/5/2025

The wind was building on the main river so we splashed back to the ramp after 42 gills, 1 bullhead…
Saturday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Fish Attractant in the Coastal N.C. Marsh…..7/4/2025

"Good work on finding fish habitat!"
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Pretty Masked Copper Shallow ……7/5/2025

Preparing for next week’s buck moon on 7/10……
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Up early this morning, heard we were going to have a tropical storm in the Carolina’s…so Joe and I went and burned some crickets…"
Saturday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service