Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Was curious as to how long is the length of leaders do most of you gents use, and any difference in length between floating or sinking line ??

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Great question and always of interest

One thing that no one has mentioned - WIND!

I started fly-fishing in Oklahoma, "where the wind comes whipping down the plains...."

A "typical" day there has the wind blowing 10 - 15 mph, gusts to 25 mph.  If you want to fly-fish in that, you'll need a spot sheltered from the wind, you'll need to learn how to do a double-haul.

I also have an 8wt TFO Professional rod.  It's a graphite rod, but not as stiff as most graphite sticks.  It almost feels like a fiberglass rod.  It does help with the wind.  I've caught bluegill with it.  Yes, it doesn't transmit the pull and "fight" of a bluegill like a 5wt or lower rod, but it helps with the wind.

I will say that I originally bought my 8wt to chase Striped Bass in the river.  I never did connect with any on that rod, though.

Now, I'm up in Michigan.  Yes, the wind blows here, but nothing like back in Oklahoma.  I foresee my 5wt and 4wt rods getting used more here.  I'll still pull the 8wt out, to chase Bass, Steelhead, Salmon, and Pike with.

As far as what type of fly I plan on using ??? a little of every thing, want to get into wet flys to see what happens, figured the big gills get big by staying in deeper water, thats where I need to go.

But fish'n with poppers is a blast, fun to watch a blue gill just mob a top water fly, when I was a kid a guy showed up at a loc al fish'n hole with a fly rod, never seen one till then, he caught one after another, thats what lit my fly rod fire.

Johnny; thought you might like poppers !  try using a legion brim killer; as a dropper behind the popping bug;; its extremly deadly !! sometimes I catch 2 gills at one time !!  the popper; also acts like a float;; the bream killer slowly sinks;; blue gill cant stand it !!  fishing under trees; with bag worms in it;;  its fun time !

Carl, if I may- -

its the Ligon, "Bream Killer" a slow sinking spider pattern

https://www.breambugs.com/ligon-bream-killer-fly.html

David;; I never was a sectary; only a construction worker

Here you go - all the flies youll ever need, from our own Terry Wilson.

http://www.thebluegillpond.com/archived-articles/FlyboxfortheWarmwa...

 I use a floating line just like with trout fishing in streams. The leader may make some difference, although I think it's minimal as most waters aren't that clear for bluegill. I like to find out what type of fly and presentation they're wanting first. Something on top like a spider or a small streamer. Normal sized Woolly Buggers work great for me for larger panfish.

What are you calling "normal" size Woolly Buggers?
I should've been more specific. Size 6 or 8. I try and use enough weight by beadhead or conehead on the streamer to get it down toward the bottom so I can retrieve in whatever manner works.
That's my single best size range for a bugger. I've tried them to size 12, but never feel comfy tying them, let alone fishing them. 6-8 is just right.
Thanks for the response
1ft leader?

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