Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

can any one here give some good advise on picking out a nice cheap spinning combo for caching nice quality gills?

any info helps.

Views: 230

Comment

You need to be a member of Bluegill - Big Bluegill to add comments!

Join Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Comment by Allen Morgan on July 8, 2013 at 2:09pm

I've got a couple Quantam Optix in a 60-size, had them for years.  Those are "catfish" reels for me; work very good at that.

Comment by mike martinez on July 8, 2013 at 12:33pm

I can vouch for the President,awesome reel......

Comment by Jason Preslar on July 8, 2013 at 10:29am
I also have a Pfleuger President but in the larger size.....for bass....excellent combo!
Comment by Jim McCants on July 8, 2013 at 10:14am

For what it's worth - I bought a Pflueger President in April of 2012 and it is the BEST reel I've ever had. Have 4lb line on it and have had a blast. This is the smoothest reel I've ever had. I've gone the cheap route and it is not worth it. Get a top quality reel and you won't be sorry.

Have a blessed day!

Comment by Vince Fusco on July 5, 2013 at 8:03pm

Quantum makes a good inexpensive reel for gills. It's called the Optix, and sells for about 20 bucks at most discount stores. They also make good rods for the money. You should be able to get one for about 20-25 bucks or so. NOT ALWAYS, but a lot of times when you buy a rod and reel as a combo, either the reel will be good, and the rod won't, or vise versa. This seems especially true on the more inexpensive combos. I agree with Allan on reels that come pre spooled with line. Decent mono line can be bought in 300 yd. filler spools for less than 10 bucks, and you will be able to fill your reel several times with one of these spools. I like Berkley Trilene, but there are many good brands of line out there.Don't skimp on line. Remember your line is the link between you and a trophy fish. 

Comment by Jason Preslar on July 5, 2013 at 7:18pm
Love my Gander Mtn GSX light combo....
Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on July 3, 2013 at 9:49pm
Cheap means different things to each of us.
In rods, I look for the $20-$25 range, 6'-7' and limber. I usually go with Shakespeare, since I trust their products. The rod should whip from the middle when you shake it, not be stiff like stick. You need a limber rod to cast the lighter weight rigs used for pan fishing.

For reels, I almost buy them used on ebay. I get nice reels for little money this way. Do as Allen says and seek working reels with ball bearings. The more the better.
Look for reels that can handle 8-10lb. test line. Nothing greater is needed for bluegill, and the reels will only be heavier as you go up in line test capacity. Try to select a name brand, especially Daiwa, Shimano, Shakespeare, Pleuger and so on.
A good quality, used reel is always a better buy than a similarly priced "bargain" reel.
Comment by james bluto gillette on July 3, 2013 at 8:14pm

I use a6'6 to 8'6 with 4 to 6lb with a soft tip and a good reel the best bet for good spinning rod is to check out sport shops or bass pro,cabelas,walmart,etc.u will want to spend a little money on whatever u find for the better quality and wont break as easy.

Comment by Leo Nguyen on July 3, 2013 at 4:41pm

How about the Quantum Signature Series, ultralight, 6'2"? Walmart, Bass Pro, and Big 5 carry it.

Comment by Allen Morgan on July 3, 2013 at 3:16pm

Find a combo that you can live with.  The more you spend, the better quality the set-up.  I would suggest that if the reel comes pre-spooled with line, strip that off and go with some quality 4 lbs test mono, or 10 lbs test braid.

Personally, I like a rod with a soft tip.  This helps lob the lighter baits and/or lures out there.

Be advised that once you get "something that works", you'll probably start looking to upgrade.  Take it slow, buy a decent rod.  I have a 7' ML power IM6 graphite stick that let me enjoy the smaller fish more, but still has the backbone to handle bigger fish.  I've tangled with LMB, Long-nosed Gar, Stripers up to 11 lbs, and other bigger fish on this little rig.

As far as spinning reels, when you do decide to upgrade, look for something that has some decent bearing.  Probably a minimum of 4 bearings + 1 roller bearing (for the bail).  This may sound like overkill, but trust me, it does help when you have a good reel.

Some folks will go as far as to have a custom rod tied up, usually using a fly rod blank.

Latest Activity

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

Another Nice Swampcracker…..8/24/2024

"Great to hear Dick…..we’re doing great, healthy…..had an above average fishing…"
Friday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Another Nice Swampcracker…..8/24/2024

"Yes Jeffrey I'm doing good  Got a new gal and enjoying life again. I've been working…"
Friday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Labor Day Weekend Crab Boil….9/2/2024

"Thanks Dick…..it’s been a great summer in North Carolina for…"
Thursday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Another Nice Swampcracker…..8/24/2024

"Thanks Dick….hope you’re doing well…."
Thursday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thursday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thursday
John Sheehan commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
Thumbnail

SAME DAY DIFFERENT FISH

"Photos - Bluegill - Big Bluegill (ning.com) Bill Trussell check out the Green Sunfish photos,…"
Wednesday
John Sheehan commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
Thumbnail

SAME DAY DIFFERENT FISH

"Green Sunfish "
Wednesday
John Sheehan commented on Bill Trussell's blog post Catfish on the Fly
"Bill, yeah, a big smallmouth would be a great fight, The tenacity of Smallies is amazing!"
Wednesday
Bill Trussell commented on Bill Trussell's blog post Catfish on the Fly
"John The largest fish I have ever landed using the fly rod- my only regret is it not being a bass,…"
Wednesday
Bill Trussell commented on Bill Trussell's blog post Catfish on the Fly
"Bruce Yes, it's quite a challenge using my 3 wt."
Wednesday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Bill Trussell's blog post Catfish on the Fly
"That had to be a lot of fun on the fly rod."
Sep 3
John Sheehan commented on Bill Trussell's blog post Catfish on the Fly
"Wow, great fight .Especially on a 3 wt. Fly Rod! They are powerful Fish!"
Sep 3
Bill Trussell commented on Bill Trussell's blog post Catfish on the Fly
"Tracy I never use a six or five wt. in this lake because I never land a fish worthy of a heavier…"
Sep 2
Bill Trussell commented on Bill Trussell's blog post Catfish on the Fly
"Jeffrey I didn't keep the fish, I gave it to the guy you see in the background pic. I have a…"
Sep 2
tracy willis commented on Bill Trussell's blog post Catfish on the Fly
"very nice play on a 3wt.  i use a 6wt for my bluegill fly fishing.  i tangle with a few…"
Sep 2
Bill Trussell posted a blog post

Catfish on the Fly

Guys, I landed this catfish in April of this year using my 7 1/2 ft. 3 wt. fly rod. I have only…See More
Sep 2
Bill Trussell commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
Thumbnail

SAME DAY DIFFERENT FISH

"James, it's good to be back with you guys; I assume a greenie is a type of bluegill. "
Sep 2
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Labor Day Weekend Crab Boil….9/2/2024

The North Carolina blue crab harvest has been above average this year….and the overall quality is…
Sep 2
Bill Trussell commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

This One a Little Lighter Than Most on This Day…8/19/2024

"Thanks, Jeffrey good to be back with you guys. I see you are still landing-nice size…"
Sep 2

© 2024   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service