Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Read this group posts and it got me interested in making some personal floats and a few to give to a friend who I tie flies for. 

Started out with 1/2x1/2" balsa

Glued in some bamboo skewers for the center post after drilling an appropriate size hole trough the blanks.

Took a length of 1x2 and drilled a hole the diameter of the center post of the float.  Aligned the 1x2 in line with the drill press chuck.

Used assorted grades of sand paper to shape and finish the floats

Made eyes out of stainless wire, thread wrapped the top and bottom of the center posts, Coated the floats with super glue to seal, then applied three coats of clear enamel to complete,  Sanded in between coats.

This is what my final product looks like.  Haven't tried them out yet.  Most are being sent to my friend with an assortment of flies for him to use this summer.

Views: 254

Replies to This Discussion

Nice work John!

Great floats John, I make mine in a similar fashion with a variety of materials. Where do you get you balsa? I give or trade most of my floats away to friends. Keep it up !

So far, I have only gotten balsa from Hobby Lobby, but I am looking for a better supplier with a larger selection of sizes.

They make a sanding sealer for filling/sealing raw wood-much cheaper than using super glue.

RSS

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's status
"I referred someone last year and they’re still not approved "
1 hour ago
John Sheehan posted a status
"Any more members being approved?"
2 hours ago
John Sheehan posted a photo
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

the big spider

"Catch a Lunker , Dick !"
yesterday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

the big spider

"Scary looking, but I bet the fish love it."
yesterday
dick tabbert posted a photo
Friday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's status
"We are exploring/learning the three permit lakes late in life. Today was Canistear Reservoir. Hot…"
Tuesday
John Sheehan posted a status
"Just dink smallmouths and Largemouth Bass for Greg and I, fishing a third Reservoir this year."
Tuesday
John Sheehan posted photos
Tuesday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Sunrise Shellcracker…..7/23/2025

"I love your kind of fishing!"
Jul 27
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Sunrise Shellcracker…..7/23/2025

"I’m very fortunate that the fishing  in coastal North Carolina is so great and most…"
Jul 27
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

JULYWP

"Summer colors on this white perch!"
Jul 27
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

JULYP

"Nice Yellow John….good colors"
Jul 27
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Often bass fisherman will catch Warmouth on 9” worms……..they. don’t fight…"
Jul 27
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"This is a great comparison John…..I added another photo to give perspective….."
Jul 27
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Sunrise Shellcracker…..7/23/2025

"I sure envy you, enjoy!"
Jul 27
John Sheehan replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Hey Jeffrey! Does the Warmouth have about the same sized Mouth as a Black Crappie of equal size, or…"
Jul 26
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Jul 23
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Some quality Warmouth I caught in my early years on the Albemarle….."
Jul 23
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
Jul 23

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service