Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Finally got to break this thing in. Our own Walt Foreman built it for me as a specialty BG rod, designed for casting lightweight offerings without any added weight, or float, while still experiencing the awesome fight of a big Bluegill.

It's built on a 2-weight flyrod blank,  but I'll let the builder fill in the rest of the details.......

What I can attest to, is the sheer functionality and beauty of this rod.....

Thanks Walt, looking forward to putting it through it's paces!!

 

 

 

Views: 3213

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

What a nice rod Tony. Awesome!

That's so cool! I'm still amazed at the marble-graphic designed the rods can undergo. Just plain cool!

That is a beautiful rod, Tony. Great job on the rod, Walt. I bet it is gonna be a ball to fish with. I am anxious to hear the particulars on it, Walt. 

Thanks for the compliments, guys!  I made the plunge a couple or three months ago to buy a wood lathe so I could turn my own wood handles, which enabled me to do this handle and also the other rod I posted a photo of which is Federico's new rod.  The wood for this one is stabilized big-leaf maple dyed green.  The actual turning of the handle only takes a couple or a few hours, but the finishing to get that polished, marble-like quality took weeks - every time I'd think I finally had it, I would find a smudge here or there, and have to do another coat, and at one point I had to strip a couple layers of finish.  

As to the action, I knew Tony's vision for the rod, being able to fish with little to no weight and still get reasonable casting distance, so I was working toward that specific goal.  I call the rod a "super-ultralight," as  it has a lighter action than any factory rod of that length that I've come across - the very upper limit of line test it could safely be used with would probably be six-pound, but I would guess Tony will probably be using four-pound more often.  The blank is graphite, and I made the handle all-wood hoping that would really amp up the sensitivity since he won't be using much weight and therefore will need all the sensitivity he can get.

Most of all, though, I'm just glad it does what Tony was wanting it to do, and it's really a thrill to see it catching some hawg hybrids!  I'm grateful to Tony for allowing me to contribute to his arsenal of gear, and really excited that I could give him a new weapon in that arsenal.

That's beautiful work, Walt!

How long is the rod? Would love to see an end-to-end photo.

Jonathan

I didn't even know stuff like this existed...

Bruce, I didn't either until a few months ago.  I built several rods when I was a teenager but they were very basic in terms of the cosmetics - mostly longer bluegill rods made on fly-rod blanks.  I was killing time one day and stumbled across a website for custom rod builders, and it was all over but the cryin'...

That's a really nice job and rod. You're going to love it.

Bruce

Outstanding job, Walt...a beauty of a rod. What is the length?

Thanks for the kind words, guys!  JB and Jim, this rod is 6'6".  Unfortunately I didn't get any full-length shots - with a rod this long, you have to get so far away to get the whole thing in the frame that you can't see much detail.

Walt, I fished with the new rod again this evening, and it was a blast. I have a confession to make though.... I was having so much fun that it got dark before I fed the other three ponds....Gonna have some upset fish I'll bet...don't tell anyone

 

The fight is awesome...I find myself holding my breath while the bigger fish peel off line..... Great fun!

That's really cool to hear, Tony!  There's nothing more gratifying than knowing a rod I made is hammering the big 'gills!

I am sure you had some grumbling bluegill in the other ponds, but I'm also sure they'll get over it.  Bluegill aren't known for going on hunger strikes when it comes to free pellets.

RSS

Latest Activity

John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Clinton Reservoir Smallie 2

"Thats great, Bruce! 1Big strong Freshwater Smallies, good going! Didn't get on them today.…"
10 hours ago
Bruce Tomaselli commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Clinton Reservoir Smallie 2

"I've landed 2 over 20" in the past several years. One just made 20" and the other a…"
18 hours ago
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Clinton Reservoir Smallie 2

"Thanks Bruce, we got them 12-15".Going here again today to fish deeper and explore the…"
19 hours ago
Bruce Tomaselli commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Clinton Reservoir Smallie 2

"Great smallmouth."
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Sunday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's album
Thumbnail

Watershed Fishing 2025

"Thanks Dick, hoping for bigger Smallmouths after we get used to this 425 acre body of water, with a…"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Love This Netted Coppernose……Best of 2025

"Thanks Dick…..my favorite picture of 2025…..loved the markings"
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

More From Great Fishing on 5/18 & 5/19…….

"We are very fortunate to have an abundant supply of fliers Dick…..I’ve made a lot of…"
Saturday
dick tabbert commented on John Sheehan's album
Thumbnail

Watershed Fishing 2025

"Lookin good John,."
Saturday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

More From Great Fishing on 5/18 & 5/19…….

"That guys on my bucket list."
Saturday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Love This Netted Coppernose……Best of 2025

"Nice coppers as always Jeff."
Saturday
dick tabbert commented on Jim Gronaw's photo
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Lots of Predators in May…..5/22/2025

"Thanks Slip…..hope you’re doing well!"
Saturday
Slip Sinker commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Lots of Predators in May…..5/22/2025

"Thanks Bruce….Have a great Memorial Day weekend…."
Friday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Friday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Lots of Predators in May…..5/22/2025

A lot of largemouth are guarding Frye…..when you cross through the pod with your bait it may be…
Thursday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
May 21
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
May 21
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
May 21

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service