Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

I've pretty much used nothing but braid, for everything from Bluegill to Sturgeon, for the last 15 years. Granted, I'm sponsored by Western Filament, makers of the best braided line available ;)  > TUF-Line..... but even if I weren't sponsored, I'm so hooked on braid, I'd pay whatever I had to, to keep using using it.

 

I use 2/12 on my micro-lights, as it's thin enough to put about 200 yards on a 1000 series reel, + it's very well suited to a rod rated for 1-4, or 2-6 lb mono (with zero stretch, a soft, forgiving rod is a plus).

 

Of course my leaders can be anything from 4lb mono for Sunfish, up to 50 lb braid for Sturgeon.

 

Anyway, are you a braid fisherman ?

Just curious,

Fish

Views: 6041

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Yes I am, I use power pro micro line 3lb and 4lb with a mono or fluorocarbon leader. Am loving the distance and sensitivity it gives me when I use small crankbaits. Though I have only started using braid recently for the past five trips.  

Thanks guys :)

 

Hey Anthony, TUF-Line actually makes a 6 lb braid now (Duracast) but I haven't tried it yet. That would be as easy (and cheap :)) as a phone call.... But Im so comfortable with my TUF-Plus 12.... not to mention, only the TUF Plus is available in white, which I greatly prefer for line visibility on my end. And since I always use a leader of one sort or the other, line vis at the fishes end is never a concern.

 

Still, at least for sunfish, I'm curious now about that 6lb Duracast....

 

Hmmmm,

Fish

Hey 2lb, what brand / lb test braid do you use ???

 

Fish

I like spider wire or cajun red.

I have been using Fireline lately and really like the strength/diameter ratio that braid gives you as well as how supple the braid is.  The fact that the braid has no memory is a bonus for me.  In addition, the strength of the braid will aid if you are lucky enough to get a bite from a larger species of fish than what you initially targeted.  

 

I especially like braid for spinning reels in higher test lines.  Just put some 50# on a older Mitchell and have had some bad line twist problems.  We have been targeting garfish so the heavy line is needed with a wire leader.  Wish I would have spent enough to get braid to begin with.

I have switched from monofilament to braid and using nothing else.  I like to use something with the diameter of 4 pound test when using my ultralight pole.  I can feel the slightest bite but am also not sunk if I get a big bass.  Love using open faced reels too. 
i started using fireline fused crystal 4 lb.,cast great ,works well as long as I don't forget and set the hook like I have heavier line spooled! have lost some decent hookups due to setting to hard!
I was turned on to braided line a couple years ago on my baitcaster and will never go back on those reels.  On my lighter spinning reels I finally tried it this year and love it so far.  It can be tough if you forget your scissors or knife in the truck however and need to retie.....
tell me about it being tough,i went trout fishing a few years ago and was a ways from the truck and needed to retie,only i didn't have any type of knife or nippers ,i tried chewing it to no avail,finally had to go ancient old school and beat it with a sharp rock against another larger rock ,it worked but dang it took forever! tried wrapping the line around my arm once to free the line from a snag across the river once,finally got it free,it straightened the hook on my little inline spinner and brought blood from my arm ,braid don't play it is strong!

I switched to 8lb power pro a couple of years back and love it, 1lb diameter and if i hook in to a blue cat or a small mouth I know ive got the line to handle it also...and NO MORE LINE TWIST!!!  Just a wind knot every know and then...

John

 

Maybe I've just been living under a rock, but I didn't know you could use braid on a spinning reel.

On a related note, I've been considering trying a baitcasting reel for the first time, to replace a somewhat ailing old spincast reel on a baitcasting rod. Any n00b pointers from those of you using casting gear? Should I use mono or braid?  Or flourocarbon?

Anyone familiar with this reel?

 

http://www.basspro.com/Shakespeare-EZ-Cast-Low-Profile-Baitcast-Ree...

 

i don't expect a lot for that price, but many of the reviewers say the anti-backlash mechanism works and it's a good reel for the baitcasting beginner.  I don't know what Shakespeare reels are like nowadays, but I still have and use a Shakespeare spinning reel that I saved up for when I was in 7th or 8th grade (about 35 years ago). It has all of its original parts, still works great, and the only piece of plastic in it anywhere is the drag adjustment knob. I hope they still build reels that way, but wonder if anyone actually does.

hey jonathan,

 i've used baitcasters plenty for bigger fish, bass, pike, and the like. but if you're looking to throw small lures, less than a quarter ounce, a spinning reel or a spincast reel is the way to go.  when trying to throw the smaller lures with a baitcaster, the lure is to lite to get the reel spool moving, and that is what releases the line as you cast.  to much resistance to cast far.  i had a shakespeare baitcaster many years ago and found it to be worthless for casting anything but the heaviest baits.  i was fortunate enough to become the owner of 3 sizes of Abu Garcia C-3 and C-4 reels, a 6500 C-3, a 5500 C-3 and a 4600C-4 all of which cast very well when balanced with a good rod and good line.  i've found the 4600 c-4 to be my go to setup for throwing 1/4 oz. crankbaits, but when i start getting smaller than that, the backlashes get overly annoying.  but, if you have the money, by all means, buy the setup!  another rod is always welcome, and if it doesn't fit the need you bought it for, then thats a perfect reason for expanding your fishing horizons!!

 Good luck and let me know how it works out for you.

RSS

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Nesting Pair of Ospreys......

"Yeah most nests are not this close to the water and this river is remote with alligators and large…"
19 hours ago
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Nesting Pair of Ospreys......

"Guess the Osprey knew it was a great spot too. The Cormorants up here are murder on the stocked…"
21 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Nesting Pair of Ospreys......

"This was a great fishing spot for me until the osprey nested……I’ve seen chicks…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

So many spots to place your bait...

"These cypress trees are now in the water….still producing great fishing…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

The big Cypress downed by a Hurricane.....

"This is a good example John…..I posted this picture in 2012 and a couple weeks ago I caught…"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"Thanks John…..being in the south we’re always drawn to cypress trees and the…"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"Nice info, Jeffrey! Up here my main Crappie habits have been wood cover near deep water and willow…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

My Dad Doesn't know Where to Cast Next.......

"This is my dad who loved fishing…..this cove is similar to the one with all cattails but in…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"I think all fresh water fish like to relate to cattails…..the most cattails I’ve ever…"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"Up here the Pickerel can be found by Cattails and other tall reed areas. The first spawning…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

This is always a great spot with cypress, cattails and now a blooming hibiscus..next time I’m there…
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Fish Attractant in the Coastal N.C. Marsh…..7/4/2025

"Thanks John…anytime you get close to them there’s hundreds of different insects…"
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Joe Struck Copper on a Sand Bar….7/5/2025

The wind was building on the main river so we splashed back to the ramp after 42 gills, 1 bullhead…
Saturday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Fish Attractant in the Coastal N.C. Marsh…..7/4/2025

"Good work on finding fish habitat!"
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Pretty Masked Copper Shallow ……7/5/2025

Preparing for next week’s buck moon on 7/10……
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Up early this morning, heard we were going to have a tropical storm in the Carolina’s…so Joe and I went and burned some crickets…"
Saturday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service