Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

My first experience with it was with Vanish. On a spin reel and as tippet for steelhead. So-so. Seaguar and P-line seem to be somewhat better, limper, better handling. So my question is... in your opinion, which flourocarbon line would be best, even to spool up with, not just tippet mat'l.. ? steve b

Views: 311

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Yup, Vanish was my first try, and came to same conclusion, am looking for limpest, most castable, tyable, to spool a whole reel with. Never seems to fail, at last light, bite takes off, then I break off. My dexterity is comprimised for several reasons, add to low light issue,well I only want to tie one knot then, an easy one. Just for this one reel, for that one use. steve b
Steve,

Umpqa superflorocarbon is what you are looking for but it is expensive. If you use regular Umpqa mono (http://www.umpqua.com/t-umpquaproducts.aspx) in a 6lb for example and then use a 4 lb superflorocarbon leader you will almost always just break off the leader section so you only tie one knot. I use a number 14 two way swivel tied to the 6 lb and tie the 4 Lb leader to the other end of the swivel.

This way if you make a long cast with just a single line it may break at the reel or anywhere in between and you lose all that line. Using the other method, most of the time you will break off below the swivel losing only a small section of the superflorocarbon. It doesn't have to be 6 lb to 4 lb, it could be 12 lb to 10 lb or 10 lb to 8 lb.

Mostly I use 6 lb to 4 lb, but often I use 4 lb to 2 lb.. Two lb florocarbon works as well as 1 lb mono. The lighter the line the more natural everything looks and big bluegills are as sensitive to a natural presentation as any trout. FWIW.
I've used several versions of fluoro and have had no problems running full spools with any of them. Stren fluoro, Vanish, P-line have all worked well. I use only 4 and 6 pound tests. Part of your problem could be in the setup. I spool these onto 2500 size reels which helps with line management. I also use longer 6.5' ML fast action rods. Finally, make sure to wet every knot and pull it tight s-l-o-w-l-y. Fluoro hates heat which is generated when cinching down dry line.
OK, just home from trout camp. The Berekely Profeesional Grade floroucarbon in 4lb worked great ! I spooled it onto a reel, wasn't happy with fill level, tranfered it onto a second reel to put some filler on, than wound back from second reel to first. A recipe for disaster ! So wired two big snap swivel, in tandem to my bird feeder pole and back across yard and down the driveway, applied pressure and wound it back on. No problems line-wise all weekend. steve b

RSS

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Under Carolina Blue Skies….5/11/2025

Swimming the Popeye jig tipped with a pinhead….
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

More Quality Gills on a Tough Environment Day on the Estuary…..5/11/2025

"Thanks Bruce….you gotta love it when the hens are quality like this…."
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Sunday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

IMG_3807

"What a brute!"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Always great to see these Guys!

"The Bluegills far outnumber the Pumpkinseeds in this Lake. Cupsaw Lake , one of the community lakes…"
Saturday
wag commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Always great to see these Guys!

"Yeap ---- Nice lil fight & excellent eating.  "
Friday
Troy Dorman commented on John Sheehan's photo
Friday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Lower numbers of Perch this Year

"This guy gave in and didn't raise his Dorsal tall for the photo!"
Thursday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Always great to see these Guys!

"Me too, little fightin' sports!"
Thursday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Cooked

"It was great! Thanks, Jeff!"
Thursday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Cooked

"Love the cast iron prep…..brings out my southern roots….looks great!"
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Always great to see these Guys!

"Love them seeds…."
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Very Sunny Yesterday……5/7/2025

"Yes Bruce…..the tourney folks caught the bass during their spawn….now the bluegill…"
Wednesday
John Sheehan posted photos
Wednesday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Very Sunny Yesterday……5/7/2025

"It seems you've been running into bass lately. After watching that bass tournament it…"
Wednesday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service