Thinking about making the plunge into fly-fishing for sunnies.... - Bluegill - Big Bluegill2024-03-28T09:51:54Zhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/forum/topics/thinking-about-making-the-plunge-into-fly-fishing-for-sunnies?x=1&id=2036984%3ATopic%3A269078&feed=yes&xn_auth=no For anyone wanting to get i…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-06-25:2036984:Comment:2835252012-06-25T18:35:46.715ZLeehttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/Lee
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<p> For anyone wanting to get into flyfishing for Bream/Bass CHEAP I recomend this combo from Scientific Anglers <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scientific-Anglers-Species-Specific-Fishing/dp/B0014XY1RU">http://www.amazon.com/Scientific-Anglers-Species-Specific-Fishing/dp/B0014XY1RU</a> It's a decent casting rod, the reel is simple and dependable, very good backing and flyline come prespooled along with a tapered leader and a handfull of bream poppers/flys. It also includes a Very Good…</p>
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<p> For anyone wanting to get into flyfishing for Bream/Bass CHEAP I recomend this combo from Scientific Anglers <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scientific-Anglers-Species-Specific-Fishing/dp/B0014XY1RU">http://www.amazon.com/Scientific-Anglers-Species-Specific-Fishing/dp/B0014XY1RU</a> It's a decent casting rod, the reel is simple and dependable, very good backing and flyline come prespooled along with a tapered leader and a handfull of bream poppers/flys. It also includes a Very Good dvd on flyfishing casting basics and tips for bream and bass by Larry Dahlberg.</p> I stopped off at Dick's today…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-05-23:2036984:Comment:2717082012-05-23T01:24:36.630ZAllen Morganhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/AllenMorgan
<p>I stopped off at Dick's today to look at their stuff. They have a Pflueger combo, same price as the Martin rig at Wally World. When I looked at the back of the package, it was the same as the Martin rig! With the exception of the name of the product. Same list of knots to use for the line, same graphics to show how to tie those knots, etc. I'm wondering if Pflueger and Martin are owned by the same parent company? Pure Fishing, by any chance????</p>
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<p>There was a different rig,…</p>
<p>I stopped off at Dick's today to look at their stuff. They have a Pflueger combo, same price as the Martin rig at Wally World. When I looked at the back of the package, it was the same as the Martin rig! With the exception of the name of the product. Same list of knots to use for the line, same graphics to show how to tie those knots, etc. I'm wondering if Pflueger and Martin are owned by the same parent company? Pure Fishing, by any chance????</p>
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<p>There was a different rig, can't remember the name, $59.99 plus tax. The line is pre-loaded onto the reel.</p>
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<p>I still want to get my hands on one first to give it a try. I'll have to wait for a couple weeks, this coming weekend is going to be busy.</p> Allen I would go with the 5 w…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-05-22:2036984:Comment:2715262012-05-22T19:40:36.069ZIndiana Mikehttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/IndianaMike
<p>Allen I would go with the 5 weight rod and get a weight forward line with loop to loop connection. The 5 weight is good for bluegill and bass. The loop connection on the end of the flyline makes changing leaders very easy for a beginner. For bluegill you can use a length of monofilament about the length of the rod or a little shorter for a leader and tie your fly directly to the leader. Casting is not difficult, the biggest mistake beginners make is not letting the flyline straighten out…</p>
<p>Allen I would go with the 5 weight rod and get a weight forward line with loop to loop connection. The 5 weight is good for bluegill and bass. The loop connection on the end of the flyline makes changing leaders very easy for a beginner. For bluegill you can use a length of monofilament about the length of the rod or a little shorter for a leader and tie your fly directly to the leader. Casting is not difficult, the biggest mistake beginners make is not letting the flyline straighten out behind them on the backcast before starting forward. Just a matter of getting the feel for it and not all that difficult. And about as much fun as you can have with a fishing pole in your hand.</p> Yeah, that sounds like a good…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-05-21:2036984:Comment:2709152012-05-21T01:33:49.856ZAllen Morganhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/AllenMorgan
<p>Yeah, that sounds like a good idea, taking a spinning rig and a fly rig.</p>
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<p>I can and do switch hit when it comes to casting a spinning rig. Mainly it's because I throw right-handed with my 7- and 8-foot rigs. However, my 12-foot surf rods are another thing. I keep my dominant right arm at the butt of the rod, to start the cast, since it's stronger than my left, then finish the cast by pushing with my left arm. I've been getting some good practice the past 6 weeks, fishing…</p>
<p>Yeah, that sounds like a good idea, taking a spinning rig and a fly rig.</p>
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<p>I can and do switch hit when it comes to casting a spinning rig. Mainly it's because I throw right-handed with my 7- and 8-foot rigs. However, my 12-foot surf rods are another thing. I keep my dominant right arm at the butt of the rod, to start the cast, since it's stronger than my left, then finish the cast by pushing with my left arm. I've been getting some good practice the past 6 weeks, fishing for big cats. I need to start targeting Stripers, if I can.</p> I tried the Wallie's Shakespe…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-05-21:2036984:Comment:2707622012-05-21T00:11:42.354ZLeo Nguyenhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/LeoNguyen
<p>I tried the Wallie's Shakespeare and Plueger. Those two are very well built as cheap combo for beginners. The 5/6wt is more than sufficient to tackle on the large games out there. Carp and bass at 7lbs is not a problem. Just don't go crazy with the line retrieval. It's a nice fun game of tug-o-war to tired it out. As Tooty have mentioned, it's a freaking shame to see a fish going belly up up because we took too long hauling it in. My uncle even hand a few 32lbs Pacific salmons and 18lbs…</p>
<p>I tried the Wallie's Shakespeare and Plueger. Those two are very well built as cheap combo for beginners. The 5/6wt is more than sufficient to tackle on the large games out there. Carp and bass at 7lbs is not a problem. Just don't go crazy with the line retrieval. It's a nice fun game of tug-o-war to tired it out. As Tooty have mentioned, it's a freaking shame to see a fish going belly up up because we took too long hauling it in. My uncle even hand a few 32lbs Pacific salmons and 18lbs tailwakers using his 5/6wt Shakespeare vintage gears. They were long battles, but my jaws dropped when I saw them being held up under his gleaming smiles. But for sunnies, BG, bass, or whatever in the small and medium size, you'll be able to land it without any problem, and not blowing your budget too.</p>
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<p>I can guarantee you that you'll be slamming the rod into the water, or ground, quite often as a beginner. It's more common during cast fatigue after a few hours of hunting. That's why I have my spinner gears ready just case case my arms feel like they're about to fall off. Try to master the casting both the left and right hands. I'm not ambidextrous, but switching hands for casting give you a high level advantage in different locales, such as tight quarters at local lakes, isolated hindrance locations, and the worst, small casting windows due to tall weeds and tree lines. Where spinning gears fail, fly gears take over. Where fly gears can't be casted, spinning gears take over. Great balance between the two.</p> Leo, right now, I'm just tryi…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-05-20:2036984:Comment:2708672012-05-20T23:59:10.699ZAllen Morganhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/AllenMorgan
<p>Leo, right now, I'm just trying to get a feel for what my budget should be.</p>
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<p>I agree that a setup for large predators is not in my best interest for now. Get something to play with the sunnies, to get my arm/wrist/body trained to use a fly rod.</p>
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<p>I'll probably just get a cheap combo setup. If I like it, then, come tax time, decide if I want to upgrade to a decent rig for sunnies, bass, etc., or if I want to get a rig for the bigger predators. I made this same…</p>
<p>Leo, right now, I'm just trying to get a feel for what my budget should be.</p>
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<p>I agree that a setup for large predators is not in my best interest for now. Get something to play with the sunnies, to get my arm/wrist/body trained to use a fly rod.</p>
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<p>I'll probably just get a cheap combo setup. If I like it, then, come tax time, decide if I want to upgrade to a decent rig for sunnies, bass, etc., or if I want to get a rig for the bigger predators. I made this same post on my local fishing board. I've got two other folks that have offered to let me borrow a 5wt rig to see if I can get the casting down. I'll probably do that here soon.</p> Allen, what's your total budg…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-05-20:2036984:Comment:2707512012-05-20T22:49:41.824ZLeo Nguyenhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/LeoNguyen
<p>Allen, what's your total budget? If you're looking full rigged for $100, why not BPS for the White Water Dogwood Canyon combo. I tried out Dogwood and the Hobb Creek..the reel for the Hobb Creek combo is fragile to say the least. I thought of getting it as a low end training replacement for my kid and myself, but will getting something more vintage later. If you're doing a $40 combo, might as well stick with the Shakespear.</p>
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<p>Stick with the 4/5wt or 5/6wt setting as a beginner.…</p>
<p>Allen, what's your total budget? If you're looking full rigged for $100, why not BPS for the White Water Dogwood Canyon combo. I tried out Dogwood and the Hobb Creek..the reel for the Hobb Creek combo is fragile to say the least. I thought of getting it as a low end training replacement for my kid and myself, but will getting something more vintage later. If you're doing a $40 combo, might as well stick with the Shakespear.</p>
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<p>Stick with the 4/5wt or 5/6wt setting as a beginner. But if you're going big game, stick with 8/9wt. A pretty heavy gear for beginner.</p>
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<p>I played with 7', and 10'. I'm hooked with the 8' to 9' version. Great balance for shore and on the water.</p> Ronnie, I have seen those. I…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-05-20:2036984:Comment:2706742012-05-20T21:48:14.195ZAllen Morganhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/AllenMorgan
<p>Ronnie, I have seen those. I thought the Shakespeare wasn't worth it. However, the Martin might be. I want to look around and see what some other shops have. That, and I don't have the funding right now.</p>
<p>Ronnie, I have seen those. I thought the Shakespeare wasn't worth it. However, the Martin might be. I want to look around and see what some other shops have. That, and I don't have the funding right now.</p> I apologize to the fly rodder…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-05-20:2036984:Comment:2706282012-05-20T16:11:02.292ZFrank Ribblehttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/FrankRibble
<p>I apologize to the fly rodders about being negative about needing a fly rod. The five kids hit home. I found a very long telescoping cane pole at home. Bought it with a bunch of poles at a flea market. Never used it and decided this is what I needed for reaching difficult spots. Have fun fishing however you like to do it!</p>
<p>I apologize to the fly rodders about being negative about needing a fly rod. The five kids hit home. I found a very long telescoping cane pole at home. Bought it with a bunch of poles at a flea market. Never used it and decided this is what I needed for reaching difficult spots. Have fun fishing however you like to do it!</p> If you have a Wal-Mart near y…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2012-05-20:2036984:Comment:2704662012-05-20T13:24:21.538ZRonnie M.https://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/RonnieM
<p>If you have a Wal-Mart near you check out their combos. Seen a Martin and Shakespeare complete combos there the other day and I think they were 30 to $40 range. I have a Martin combo I bought around 20 years back and it is still holding up nice. Used it for bream on many different lakes and with it being a four section rod it's easy to store in the boat compartments. I don't use the Martin much anymore as I have other rods that I want to use but it is always ready for service when…</p>
<p>If you have a Wal-Mart near you check out their combos. Seen a Martin and Shakespeare complete combos there the other day and I think they were 30 to $40 range. I have a Martin combo I bought around 20 years back and it is still holding up nice. Used it for bream on many different lakes and with it being a four section rod it's easy to store in the boat compartments. I don't use the Martin much anymore as I have other rods that I want to use but it is always ready for service when needed.:)</p>