Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Just bought a 6' 9" UL St Croix Panfish rod and ready to string it up with line. What to use? Braid or mono, what brand and what lb test should I go?
Thanks

Views: 4193

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I was just addressing that in another comment below. First generation braid on heavy tackle did have issues on some older rods and reels. It really isn't a concern with the newer stuff, especially with regard to light and UL gear.

I fish both Braid and Mono but not on my UL gear. All of my UL reels are old school(some would call vintage) that I have been fishing for years and years and are not braid friendly. I prefer 4# mono.

How are they not braid friendly? I have spooled it up on a few vintage reels. The concern about braid cutting old rods and reels is largely overblown. It is a legitimate concern for heavy tackle and with older first generation braids. The slick coatings on the newer braids are very "vintage equipment friendly".

i have the rods to prove it will cut the guides.i use mono often too but only when using a float which i dont do often.dont like it in casting reels,a big fish or a snag can bury the line in the spool.worse than a backlash.the reels i dont think it matters unless the roller is something soft.cant see how it would hurt the reel

Modern fused braid with a slick coating?

This particular rod has the lightweight metal guides. I will check into it more.

i actually believe minimally the only difference is the design of the spool that would constitute braid ready. reel manufactures are incorporating rubber grips or grooves in the spool designs for the slick super lines to grip the arbor. without this or a gripping layer of mono backup might allow the braid or performance line to slip on the arbor.

I did forget that; I have a tiny piece of carpet tape there. On my Light/UL reels, the last several yards only see the light of day when they get turned around anyway.

that it will do .i have to respool a couple ultra lights cause of hooking big fish on them and now the line slips.they had some mono backing too.might drill a hole in the spool like a baitcaster

Interesting article:

http://www.landbigfish.com/articles/default.cfm?ID=2288

from the article:

Braided line does not break rods, it does not ruin guides, or harm reels. Anyone telling you different needs some education, or has something to gain in the indusrty by placing these rampid rumors. 

I have to admit i would place more faith if he could spell industry and rampant, but there is a lot of truth. I think there is more than a little fear mongering from line and rod makers.

Good article! I love braid, so really thinking about using it on this rod. I smallmouth fish a lot with braid and on a long cast with topwater have the confidence of a great hookup with no stretch. Also can't tell u how many $5-$10 crank baits I have saved by pulling them free from snags.
Thanks Andy

One word of warning; he is talking about slick super-lines, which is what braid has evolved into. You can still buy big spools of imported dyneema line for cheap that are pretty deadly (DAMHIKT).

RSS

Latest Activity

wag replied to Danny Phillips's discussion Boats
"  Sold my 17 ft  & and bought a used  2017 Xpress 16 ft front stick steer. "
4 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Big Sow Full of Eggs….3/30/2025

"Understand John….we were so windy in March ……..hope it drops off…"
9 hours ago
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Big Sow Full of Eggs….3/30/2025

"I have yet to see 50 degree WT and it's too windy today."
17 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Big Sow Full of Eggs….3/30/2025

"Always welcome…….I waited 16 days to go from 50 to 60 on this river….its a…"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Big Sow Full of Eggs….3/30/2025

"Great intel, Jeff! Thanks!"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Big Sow Full of Eggs….3/30/2025

"Not in my region Dick….typically our shallow crappie bite centers around the March full…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Nice Predator up Shallow….3/30/2025

"Thanks Dick…..the Bassmasters Elite series comes to town for the North Carolina open next…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Big Sow Full of Eggs….3/30/2025

"Jeffrey don't it seam like the crappy bite is a little early?"
yesterday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Nice Predator up Shallow….3/30/2025

"A great test for any panfish gear. Congrats."
yesterday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
dick tabbert commented on Troy Dorman's photo
yesterday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Troy Dorman's photo
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Troy Dorman's photo
Thumbnail

Big male redear from today!!

"Fine Fish1From shore also!"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Troy Dorman's photo
Thumbnail

Big male redear from today!!

"Pretty Troy…..let’s go!"
Sunday
Troy Dorman posted a photo
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Grandson Cody and I splashed this afternoon…mixed bag of 38 fish dominated by shallow black crappie…surface temperatures up to 66.2 degrees"
Sunday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service