Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Just curious, did anyone fish this season with a Tenkara Rod. I used a Fountainhead Caddis rod twice and had a blast. 

Views: 1511

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Dave 

Peche a la mouche is a french fixed line method of fly fishing with a fly rod using  fixed line and reel with bait and hook. It's similar to tenkara but not the same. 

JDA

 

Well if it's French, I like it already!
Thanks Joe.
No one but you would know that.

My friend, you are just ahead of your time :) and I have OCD .

Me , I'm still fishing like a 5 year old and looking forward to the spring. The ice guys are giving me a few ideas for the spring.

Jim, it 's all in the bend of the rod.  I've had peacock bass hit the fly when it's fully extended and the 4# test leader popped as advertised, saving the rod. (it's recommended you use leader 5# test or smaller so the leader will break and not the rod tip)  I've landed carp up to 3 ½  pounds on you 4# test leader and my largest fish is a 4 pound peacock bass.  I don't recommend going for these larger fish… the under a pound size is a lot more fun… but if one accidentally grabs your fly, it can be handled with a little luck.

I use the 13 foot rods (5:5 and 4:6).  A bradded line 12 to 13 foot… and 4 to 6 feet of 4# test leader.

Jim

They are not designed as big fish poles nor to pull fish out of heavy weed lines. Would not want you to spend the money and break rod tips. Telescopic poles would do great for that application since they are designed to pull fish from heavy weed lines. I use both methods and they are not interchangeable but both are extremely productive. 

thats the first thing i looked at and thought the design was somewhat flawed. a rod used like that isolates alot of stress in the tip and is not dispersed through the bend of the rod. if i modeled that rod on a appropriate stress software the tip would be bright red showing stress and the rest of the rod would be cool blue. the lillia should extend and be anchored in the butt of the rod dispersing the stress along the length of the rod thru the line.

Ken 

The bend of the rod is surprisingly very good at dispersing stress but Tenkara is designed for small / medium fish like bluegill and trout. You would not use a 0 weight flyrod for tarpon and I would not recommend Tenkara for Carp or large Bass. 

JDA

Thanks Joe I still plan on getting ... they look like a blast.

They are and work

great for kids. I still remember my first bluegill on Tenkara.

If you have any questions, let me know. 

The problem I face, generally, is the danged bass show up, uninvited.
It's like that here in the South. You'll be messing around with the brim, and suddenly you've got a green whopper rocket on the line.

And while bass are the worst offenders, a couple of others are remotely possible.
I've seen pickerel and gar in the same shallows where bluegill can be caught.
They'd probably break your line before a tenkara rod failed, but it's always exciting when these guys come ripping around.

For fishing in dinky ponds and small creeks it oughta be okay, though. And if I was wanting to micro-fish it'd do. Right, Joe?

Micro fishing would be ok but I now use a $3.00 south bend 5 foot telescopic for microfishing. Walmart has them on sale and if a bass blows it up, better $3.00 than $80.00. They also make great dock poles.

Yea, there was a guide talking about blue gill fishing with the 2 wt fly rod - that 5 lb bass don't know you are bluegill fishing. Lol

RSS

Latest Activity

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"
18 hours ago
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…"
18 hours ago
dick tabbert commented on John Sheehan's album
Thumbnail

Watershed Fishing 2025

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

Love This Netted Coppernose……Best of 2025

"Nice coppers as always Jeff."
20 hours ago
dick tabbert commented on Jim Gronaw's photo
20 hours ago
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!"
23 hours ago
Slip Sinker commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
23 hours ago
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
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Clinton Reservoir Smallie 3

"Bucktail!…..old reliable……"
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Clinton Reservoir Smallie1

"Very nice…..we had great weather over the weekend but now we have a May Noreaster tomorrow…"
Wednesday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Greg's 1st of two

"Watershed Property ,Jeff. Yes very pretty .I told Greg ,Indians still live there ,lol!"
Wednesday
John Sheehan posted an album
Wednesday
John Sheehan posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

499002469_10239073026024130_905664003242523886_n

"Greg tags a smallie….pretty area…."
Tuesday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service