Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Pattern:

You’re just starting to research your equipment budget and expenses on your new endeavor on Bluegill fishing. You want a do it all tackle system to get you in the game. Realistically there is no such animal but some forms of rigging can get you close. So im publishing my equipment system that kept me happy when I was on a very slim fishing budget for years. Of course every angler is different and personal preferences vary… this is just my selection that ive tweaked and feel confident to recommend it to any one.

Rigging:

  • Basis or back bone of the system is the Berkley 5-6 light action Lightning Rod. I have landed LMB over 5lbs with this setup. Even the smallest Gills seem to fight like warriors with this setup. With the braid you feel every headshake $34.00 recommended price
  • 6-0 recommended braid … I really like the Spider wire or PowerPro. With the braid you only need a quick snap with your rod to set the hook. Eliminates the need for large sweeping motions or a longer rod to set the hook with stretchy mono.
  • 1000 series spinning reel… currently i'm using a Shimano Sienna 1000 series reel after  continuous Lews bail spring fails. $29.00 every where
  • Favorite live baits Night crawler bits, waxies, and Gulp Maggots or 1” Minnows

Presentation:

this hardware setup is ideal for fixed bobber, slip bobber or drop shotting. Last year was the first time using fixed bobber Carl’s Quill floats and have used them successfully on this setup. Drifting the wobble bobber with your favorite panfish jig (Tabbert Jellie Jig shn) also works great with this rig. When it comes to summer peak drop shotting the deep breaks is a killer method for panfish and this is ideal hardware for that presentation. Gills are biting on the surface have a fly casting bubble handy with your favorite popper or floating fly.

This system comes close to doing it all and is great starting point for the beginning gill enthusiast.

Views: 1310

Replies to This Discussion

well thank you Mo... a lot of thought went into this setup and its main purpose was to stow in the car and be rigged at a moments notice. ya never know when you will be passing a BOW and access that needs to be explored. i take it everywhere with me and it comes with me on the boat.

one of the main reason i like the braid is its strength per diameter ... i could swap spools and put the 15 or 20# braid on drag a worm through some dense cover and drag a bass out. with that in mind i have that confidence to horse a fish out of cover... never broke a fish off yet.

most of the time on the boat when im in panfish mode its slip bobber setup for this rig or drop shot.

i really like the floro now for ice fishing... switching all of my setups to 2# floro... its still very sensitive and a lot more rugged than mono

Yep, I keep one outfit rigged with a slip float at all times on my boat. I played with the drop shot rig for panfish last summer. It worked very well. I use it all the time for bass. It never dawned on me to use it for panfish. I have one outfit spooled up with 2lb test S.O.S line from Leland Lures. I am still getting use to it. Do you think 2lb test is overkill or do you find that there is a big difference between the number of bites you get with 2 vs. 4? We don' t ice fish here in Arkansas.

its the thinness of the line that allows you to use tiny jigs and allows the jig to sink to deep water quickly. another reason why flouro is more efficient on the ice is its density that allows it to sink more quickly also.

slip bobber fishing to me is so addictive some days ill start using the slip bobber rig and find out i still have it in my hand at the end of the day.

I have been fishing for over 35 years and I can't believe that last year was the first time I ever tried a slip float rig. It is now my go to rig. About the only time I don't fish it is if I am swimming a jig for crappie or bream. I missed my chance to ice fish. I was born in Milwaukee and grew up in Chicago but my dad wasn't into it. It sounds like a lot of fun. At least it looked fun on Grumpy Old Men. I do miss the smelt though. I can eat my weight in smelt.

RSS

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Finally got a calm morning on the 19 day of September, a coastal low dumped rain and high winds promising to turn the marsh over and it did."
Saturday
John Sheehan posted photos
Sep 16
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Sep 10
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Very rough weather pattern, ready to get out if the wind will break…all the creeks are blown out and holding low….had a good dinner tonight…"
Sep 9
John Sheehan posted photos
Sep 6
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Cool Air Spawns Great Sunsets……9/1/2025

"Absolutely…….I missed many sunsets by being underwater in the submarine force for…"
Sep 5
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's status
"Thanks Tracy……it was very good as you know……"
Sep 5
tracy willis commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Cool Air Spawns Great Sunsets……9/1/2025

"ted sky at night, a sailors delight."
Sep 4
tracy willis commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's status
"mine too.  have a good supper."
Sep 4
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Sep 1
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Got 15 medium gills scaled for Sunday supper…..my wife’s favorite way to enjoy a fish fry, fresh and fried whole in crispy corn meal…"
Aug 30
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Rose Skimmer…..8/29/2025

I’ve seen these guys in Louisiana and North Carolina…..one of the reasons I like pink jigs, the…
Aug 29
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Check Out The Emerald Green Cheeks on this Flier……8/29/2025

They kind of have a distinctive black line under the eye similar to a chain pickerel but not as…
Aug 29
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Aug 29
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

One of a Dozen Largemouth in a Feeding Frenzy….8/29/2025

This river was pretty steady around 76 degrees for surface temperatures…..
Aug 29
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Aug 29
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Aug 29
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Soaking Live Cricket Tipped Jigs on Bridge Pilings….8/29/2025

"Zoom in to see those popping emerald colors at the base of the tail……this pod of…"
Aug 29

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service