Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Is there a 'rule of thumb' on how long a tapered mono leader should be? 8'6" 5 wt rod, WF floating line and the tapered leader is 109" or 9' long. Just seems a little too long for me?
Thanks, Gregory

Views: 451

Replies to This Discussion

It seems like most that I've seen are 9 feet and in some cases longer. I believe Orvis has both 12 and 9. I saw a website with some furled leaders that were over 8 feet long and the site mentioned that you could create 12 to 20 foot leaders with them. I can't imagine a leader that long. Personally 9 feet of leader or even a little less at times feels fine. Logically, it seems to make sense to have it as long as you possibly can while still maintaing an accurate presentation. But, I'm still new to alot of this so who knows.
9' or about the length of your rod would be a good standard to go by in trout fishing (although that depends on what kind of flies your thowing - nymphs, dries, streamers), but if you're fishing for bluegill in my experience you don't need quite as long of a leader. The longer the better for trout, especially when you are casting small delicate flies to spooky fish. Luckily bluegill do not require this, and sometimes it seems the harder and more "unnatural" a fly hits the water, the better they respond.

I usually use a 6' leader tapered to 3X when bluegill fishing. Sometimes I will add some tippet to make it a little longer. Shorter leaders are easier to cast, and that is helpful as some flies and poppers used for bluegill tend to be larger than what is used for trout.

I know Orvis sells both 6' and 7'6" leaders, and I'm sure others do as well.

Dave
I use Blue Sky furled leaders, the five foot nine inch length ( 5' 9") and add tippet according to water level and clarity. I usually fish rivers.

Just want to share this book called furled leaders, it shows all the secrets behind creating furled leaders, I also have had luck following and reading the directions in this book! it really amaze me!

 I don't have much experience with furled leaders. Are you a big advocate of them... I have heard a lot of pros and cons... like to hear your take on them..thanks

You should always keep in mind that when considering leader length you need to

add in the tippet length as well.Remember there is the leader(the expensive part)and

then to that you add the tippet(which allows you to use up as you change flies).

I joined because I want to learn to fish with the fly rod this year. If anybody can tell me what I need to fish for gills I can start my want list. Down the road I know I will have many questions.

RSS

Latest Activity

John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Spoon Bass

"Thanks Jeff!"
20 hours ago
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Rattle Trap Bass

"Yes, the front one at least! What do you suppose happened there ,Jeff?"
20 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Rattle Trap Bass

"Another good bass…..his dorsal fin is almost gone completely….."
21 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

25"+Spoon Pick

"Big chain, very nice!"
21 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Spoon Bass

"Nice bass John!"
21 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
21 hours ago
John Sheehan added a discussion to the group Lure History
Thumbnail

Discontinued Lures

Some of my favorites I can't find anymore: Acme Fash King Flutter Spoon, Eppinger Flutter Chuck,…See More
yesterday
John Sheehan posted photos
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

25"+Spoon Pick

"25+inch Pickerel was best of the 13 Fish caught today a day after the Worm Moon. Two Bass and the…"
Tuesday
John Sheehan commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

IMG_0186

"1/16th oz., good!"
Tuesday
dick tabbert commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

IMG_0186

"These are my last build. I added more colors."
Tuesday
dick tabbert commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

IMG_0186

"No Jon I went with the 1/16 oz jig heads so I could have a larger hook for crappies. It's a #4…"
Tuesday
John Sheehan commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

IMG_0186

"Colors are great !"
Monday
John Sheehan commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

IMG_0186

"Thats a good Crappie size! Are they 32nd Oz Jigs?"
Monday
dick tabbert commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

IMG_0186

"They are right at 2" long."
Monday
John Sheehan commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

IMG_0186

"I Can see Crappie and Bass chomping on them, Dick!"
Sunday
dick tabbert commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

IMG_0186

"I made these up for crappie in mind. They might be a little big for gills unless it a bigger gill."
Sunday
John Sheehan commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

IMG_0186

"What Species you got in mind for these great Minnow ties , Dick?"
Sunday
dick tabbert posted photos
Sunday
John Sheehan commented on Sam k.'s group Trout Bums
""Trout Season opens April 6th 2024 in New Jersey. Waters are runnin' high for…"
Sunday

© 2024   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service