Pole Fishing - New Rig Set Up - Need Help

[Joe Angelucci]

 

Happy Holidays

I just started fishing July of this year and had a blast using a 4.5 foot Ugly Stik ultra light spin rod with 4lb test with a number 8 aberdeen hook (bank fishing ponds, no boat). Had lots of fun and caught fish  but the rig did not feel light enough and I felt I was missing fish. I switched to a 12 foot BnM telescopic pole and had better luck, same 4lb test and number 8 aberdeen hook. Just felt more connected to the fish.

I've researched a few fishing styles and need advise on the european styled rig outlined below 

Any comments on the use of ASSO Micron 3  - 1.5 lb. line. I receievd some this Christmas and plan on using it with an Expert 1.5 gram float on a 12 foot BnM  telescopic pole. I have been trying to find in the US, an european type elasticated  whip . This way I hope not to use heavy line or  a leader and manage larger gills with very light line . Any recommendations on hook size would be appreciated.

Additionally, any input on a fixed line rig would be appreciated

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

The elastic whip that I think you are referring to is actually inside the pole and stretches in and out as a fish is played. Now, I don't know all there is to know about such things - Johnny Wilkins is your man for that. But it isn't just a rubber band tied to end of the pole.

When you consider that bluegill over a pound are considered whoppers, I'm not certain you need to worry excessively over your line strength. The Europeans use their elastics for two reasons.

1. The loooooong multisection poles they use (25-40 feet!), are basically rigid pipe sections, and the elastic provides flex out at the end.

2. They use these monster poles angling for some equally big fish - large carp, tench among others. The elastic lets the fish play against a variable resistance.

In your case, why not use a short length of 4 # test loop-tied to the pole and attach your smaller line to it?

This is what I do, and I think even that is overkill. Today's 12' telescopic composite pole is very flexible and has a lot of give all by itself. Unless you are dealing with Moby Dick bream on a regular basis, 1.5# test line should be adequate when set up this way.

[Joe Angelucci]

David

Thank You for your reply. I'll try what you suggested . Most of the Bluegill I caught this year ran in the 5 - 8 inch range. No monsters since I fish in fairly stressed public county park ponds. No issues if I stick to a #8 aberdeen hook.

 

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I hope these things will do you some good, my friend. As for the hook, Joe, well.... you may wish to go down even smaller. I regularly use hooks in the 10-14 size range and some will tell you these are even too big.

Bluegill and their sunfish kin have small mouths, compared to other members of the Centrachidae clan. Largemouth bass, for instance, are directly related to them and they can swallow a baseball! Yet the bluegill's natural foods are impressive for being so minute, and the fish have a mouth to match. You can hardly place the end of your pinkie finger in the mouth of even a large, native bluegill, like the one's you catch. So what about that big old Aberdeen #8 hook?

It is commonly understood that bluegill are sight feeders. Provided they are not pressured by competition into snapping up a hook bait, they may examine a bait for some time. The bigger ones are very keen and once they detect anything out of the ordinary, they could be put off by it altogether. Thus small, light wire hooks are more appropriate to their mouth size and dont impede the action of the baits you may use. Try to find yourself a few fly-tying 14-16 size hooks and see what you think. If you cant find any, let me know and I'll send you some.

[Joe Angelucci]

David

Thank you for the information.  I see #14 - 16 hooks on ebay. May even pick up some Middy barbless. Package is light and may not be too bad to a US address from the UK.

 

Again, Thank you for all your help