Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Anybody remember the Nightcrawler Secrets rods sold by Fishing Facts Magazine/Northwoods Tackle (that part is now defunct, I believe, but their gorgeous tackle showroom was in Menomonee Falls, WI)?

They came in several different versions. I still have one of the 5' ultralight models; it's an ultralight with quite a bit of backbone to it. They also had an 8' model that was built, if I recall correctly, on a slow-action Fenwick fly rod blank. Said to be able to cast an unweighted nightcrawler 40' or more without tearing it off the hook. I've looked around for one for sale for a while but have come up dry. Couldn't afford one at the time; 45 bucks was a lot of money to a middle school kid back then.

Does anybody know of a rod available today with characteristics like what I just described? Reasonable price is a plus. Not in middle school anymore, but have 3 kids, mortgage, etc., instead :)

Cheers,

Jonathan

Views: 873

Replies to This Discussion

Jonathon-

I do not remember those rods, but I can put the word out on another vintage rod forum I belong to. Some of those vintage rod guys know every rod ever manufactured.

I'll keep you posted.

FRD
Hi FRD,

Did anybody have leads on one of those? I'm about ready to give up and just have one made from a slow action fly rod blank, although fishing with something nostalgic like that continues to draw me :-)

I did see a nice rod in the store the other day, a Shimano F86L2B. it's an 8.5 foot spin rod rated for 1/32 -1/4 ounce and 4 - 10 pound line. Action is medium fast, which seems to be about as slow as one is going to see in light/ultralight spinning these days. I'm thinking of going back and getting it.

Anybody got one, but chance? If so, how do you like it?

Jonathan

RSS

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Very Nice Perch This Morning……4/5/2025

These fish were hitting very shallow as well….
14 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
17 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
17 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
18 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
18 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Special morning on the Albemarle…..44 black crappie, 21 copper nose, 9 largemouth and 5 yellow perch…surface temperatures up to 70 already…"
18 hours ago
wag replied to Danny Phillips's discussion Boats
" Sold 17 ft and bought a 2017 Xpress 16 ft front stick steer with 40 hp Yamaha ob.  "
Wednesday
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…"
Tuesday
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."
Tuesday
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…"
Monday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Big Sow Full of Eggs….3/30/2025

"Great intel, Jeff! Thanks!"
Monday
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…"
Monday
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…"
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Monday
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?"
Monday
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."
Monday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Monday
dick tabbert commented on Troy Dorman's photo
Monday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Troy Dorman's photo
Monday
John Sheehan commented on Troy Dorman's photo
Thumbnail

Big male redear from today!!

"Fine Fish1From shore also!"
Mar 31

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service