Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Tungsten slotted beads… who’s using the versatility of the beads in their Micro-fishing methods and How?...

Views: 1166

Replies to This Discussion

Late winter 2017… Allen Morgan posted a snap of one his ties a nymph based fly with a tungsten bead head… looks perfect for ice fishing as well as the standard method when presenting a weighted nymph on a fly rod. But what about long casting the tiny bait? This had me triggered so I contacted Allen immediately after seeing his post.

I am constantly fiddling and adjusting rods reels and lines to perform the long cast with the tiniest of presentations especially Micro-Jigs. I like the slick super lines GLISS and Nano that provide low friction casting thru the rod guides so I am able to cast them without the hassle of weighted bite indicators or bubbles/floats and still handle the battle of an occasional 6# class LMB or channel cat.

I have selected a line of rods from HellBent that offer the lightest load with the fastest tip… awesome rods for the purpose of Long-Casting the Micro jigs.

I have dropped down to 2# Nano Braid on one of my specialty rods to make the Long-Cast presentation effortless and luckily have not lost a fish on it yet.

Allen was kind enough to send me a sample of this fly and I was able to cast it easily with some of my set-ups. 20180615 was the best day I had long-casting that Micro-Jig/Fly with 2 Master Angler trophies in the boat! What a day that was. I lost the fly a few days later on a toothy pred. Guys, I tagged these fish along with many lunkers that day because I was long-casting the bait bare, not under a float. I was also using slip/float/fly/waxie methods at the time I was tagging these fish and not doing as well. Long casting just covers more water more efficiently.

One of the drawbacks of buying manufactured tungsten jigs is that you have no option of hook styles and sizes. Using different sized and weight beads on many different hooks sizes and styles offers a multitude of combinations that will fit a specific fishing method.

So yes I need to get on the band wagon so to speak and get involved with the beads on some of my own ties.  

 

Trophy Lepomis on the Allen Morgan tungsten bead fly long-casted 6# Nano/6-0’ HellBent UL Rod/Shimano Siena 500fd Reel

>>20180516-Nice tag Bull B.gill on the Allen Morgan tungsten fly

Some ties from Jim Cosgrove in The BBG DataBase of Tied Flys and Jigs

>>

I do not have any slotted tungsten beads.  I want to get some, but the funding isn't there right now.  Have you heard of Lance Egan's Frenchie nymph?  It's tied on a Hanak 400, in sizes 12 - 16.  That hook is a 60-degree jig hook.  With a slotted tungsten bead, you can create a "keel" that will make it ride inverted, hook point up.  Really useful when nymph fishing in a rocky riffle, but would work perfectly vertical fishing the depths.  The bulk hook company I buy from has a knock-off of that hook.  I may have to get some, along with slotted tungsten beads, and see what I can come up with.

...Eagan's Frenchie Nymph

...what i really like about this style hook and overall design using as a swim jig is the attach point for the line is better than the typical ball jig for horizontal retrieve methods

Ok Ken, they list these bead heads in millimeter sizes so how does that translate to us. 4 mm equals what?

Regarding your spider ties on normal jig heads have you done any on really small hooks like 1/32 oz. or 1/64 oz.?

I rarely use anything larger than 1/32 ounce and mostly 1/64 these days.

...found a chart

If you order beads from Wholesale Fly Company, the beads will be listed in both mm and fractions of an inch.  As for actual weight, that's a guess.  I typically wrap a little lead wire around the hook shank and shove that up under the bead, for added weight and to seat the bead firmly in place.

As far as lead jigs, I buy, paint, and tie primarily on 1/32nd down to 1/80th.  I do have some bigger stuff that I use for bigger fish, but only do a few of those a year.

...Allen do you recall the size bead on the fly you sent me?

that lead wire wrap is a good tip.

Pretty sure it's a 5/32" bead.  You can usually go up or down a bead size for each hook size.  The only restriction really is the hook barb (which can be mashed), and how sharply the hook bends.  Slotted beads make navigating the bend much easier.

Meant to say Spring Cricket jig, not spider!

RSS

Latest Activity

John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

11cupsawc

"Crappie have always impressed me with the way they look! A very fond memory is the first one I…"
18 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

11cupsawc

"More beautiful golden Fall colors on the Black Crappie…..nice fish!"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

cupsawbg9bs

"Nice gill on the beetle spin!"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

cupsawc

"Like the calico colors of the Fall…..nice crappie John!"
yesterday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on John Sheehan's photo
Monday
John Sheehan posted photos
Sunday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

STCrappie

"You bet Bruce! Fishing for an hour to an hour and a half each day I 've been getting three or…"
Sunday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

STCrappie

"About a dozen of those would be great! Nice crappies."
Sunday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

466097223_10236349245411317_8266863466993619288_n

"Top: Shimano Sensilite 5'6"Rod /Daiwa Spinmatic Reel. Trilene clear xl 2# test…"
Saturday
John Sheehan posted photos
Friday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Joe’s Personal Best Yellow Perch….11/3/2024

"Thanks Tracy……I was very glad that my son-in-law got this bite….he has been…"
Nov 7
tracy willis commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Nov 7
John Sheehan posted photos
Nov 5
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

A Flock of Ibis Roost on a Duck Blind Near Back Bay, North Carolina….11/5/2024

These birds pass through and feed in the shallow marshes….cold weather will push them south…but we…
Nov 5
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Joe’s Personal Best Yellow Perch….11/3/2024

"Thanks Bruce ….Joe was very excited to get his hands on this perch……I started…"
Nov 5
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Nov 5
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Joe’s Personal Best Yellow Perch….11/3/2024

"Thanks Dick….fish like this give you motivation to make a few more casts even on a very…"
Nov 4
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Few More Gills From Today…..11/3/2024

"Thanks Dick…..it’s slowing like you would expect in the Fall….but with…"
Nov 4
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Joe’s Personal Best Yellow Perch….11/3/2024

"Wow, I'd take them all day long."
Nov 4
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Few More Gills From Today…..11/3/2024

"Looks like your still into some great fish Jeffrey."
Nov 4

© 2024   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service