Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Here's mine for open water season 2015

I just wanted to share my favorite slip bobber rig for the past 2015 season.

2015 open water season found me fishing out of my kayak and limiting my supply of fishing rods to just 3 on board. An UL jigging rod, UL slip bobber rig and an UL drop shot rig. After weeks of tweaking slip bobber systems I ended up with this rig. Most of my UL fishing experiences were shallow less than 2 FOW casting under overhanging brush and next to dense weed slop or inside slop pockets of open water.

The rod I settled on is a Diawa Crossfire 562ULFS series rod with incredible value … under 20.00. the rod is a fast action tip for the first third of the blank and then quickly develops a significant back bone for the remainder . I believe this is the main reason it develops such accurate casting and flipping into tight targets. This system if used correctly I believe would eliminate the need for a long fixed rod for stealth. After some practice I was able to drop the bobber with a flip with a very quiet presentation.

This rig has caught some very large preds such as LMB hitting the 5# mark and N’Pike hitting the 30 inch mark. The large preds would dive and dig into cover and the power pro braid would cut thru the slop and veggies like a weed whacker.

The line is an important component in this configuration providing sensitivity, power, toughness and its inherent weed whacking ability.

The slip bobber is Pro series Thill providing sensitivity and stealth when entering the target area. Use enough split shot to balance the float to a neutral position.

Stop knot was a UNI Knot tied with30# Dacron in bright chartreuse for line signal property of visibility.

 

Views: 2095

Replies to This Discussion

Nice set up for your needs Slip! Do you not prefer a fixed float setup for shallow water though ? I am thinking a fixed float registers a secure bite better than a slip float .

thanks John!... i never really understood the argument shallow water/deep-water slip bobber/fixed bobber argument... once a slip bobber is cast and set to depth by the stop it does have the same physical properties and mechanics as a fixed... i never really understood the separation of mechanics and physics fisherman bring to the table between the two. However i do know this... a fixed float shallow water presentation set at 3' foot when casted projects a cartwheel of hardware in a 6' diameter circle that makes it impossible to pinpoint a cast into tight situations. I believe I did very well last year casting a 6" radius of hardware into some very tight situations that i found impossible casting large diameter hardware projections. Another plus is that I have one rig that will also tap into the deep water if need by of course setting the stop to a increased depth.

I love using Quill fixed floats but never found them to be accurate when casted. I do use them when accuracy isn’t required at a premium.

So slip floats have taken over the tackle box.

Really enjoy reading in this group John … well done!

You make good points ,Slip , regarding slip float  pinpoint casting and with my experiments using different short rod (5.5')and long rod (7.5-8') paired with different Size/weight floats and shot or jigs I have had certain problems . The very light long rods that are springy can be problematic with tangles on fixed floats particularly but also can be great slip float rods for long casts from shore to get to the fish .. I don't know that I have a favorite Rig but I have several setups that have worked well for me when conditions were right . I started with a foam float that registered a bite pretty well but increased my catches with pencil floats which for cold water /shore fishing seemed to be the best choice with conditions I face . I slip float mostly in Ice out or late fall to ice periods . I don't find myself doing it as much or at all  in the warmer water months .Glad you enjoy the group . I've learned a lot since starting it so naively and have much to learn .

Geez...I have so much to learn!!

Here are long spinning rod choices  I use for shore fishing that have  worked well:

 7',6" UL "Berkeley Trout Dough Series Rod ,Daiwa Spinmatic 500T reel , 4#test mono, crawler piece on a #8 Aberdeen hook or a jig under a Shybite float or a Pencil float . My 8' Zebco 'Crappie Buster' Rod has acquired a split towards the very soft tip end .(Hope its repairable without cutting back)Both of these rods are springy ,particularly the Zebco .Good sweep set Crappie rods ,but handle all pannies well .I even got a 6# 13oz. Channel Cat on the Crappie Buster . Inexpensive good rod IMO.

 Short rod choices are ;Daiwa and  a Shimano  Sensilite rods  with Pflueger Supreme Reel  and Pflueger President UL Reel respectively . 4# test mono .

its actually a 'SLAB SEEKER " Zebco rod .

Glad to say ,i tried out the repaired Slab Seeker rod and it caught 21 panfish without a problem .

Glad to hear of the fix...
I fixed a ice fishing rod last season that was split between the second and third guide and when it was loaded up it showed a splinter halfway through...
I ended up tossing it in the garbage and as a second thought I took the rod out of the garbage and repaired it with super glue gel and continued using it through the season. It was a favorite ice fishing rod of mine and they were no longer available for purchase.

That is being resourceful Slip , good man .Did you just brush on the glue ?Did you clamp it in any way? I didn't mind the 15 bucks i paid for the repair but I  would try it myself if there's a next time.

thanks i figured what did i have to lose ... i didn't do anything special except put the glue from the gel bottle directly in between the break when flexed and then let it spring back to shape wiped off some excess... i let it dry overnight and then used the heck out of it thru the ice... i was pretty impressed with the strength and durability. i hope i can get a few more seasons from it.

what was the damage to the rod you had fixed?

sounds like some nice setups John.... if you had to pick one rig which would it be?

I guess the ZEBCO 'SLAB SEEKER 'rod for its length , very soft tip , strong butt and casting distance . Matched with a Pflueger President UL reel .That rod may have to be replaced as it's slightly splintered about 4" from the tip . Hope I can find another .Favorites change though . The Berkeley rod is a little stiffer at the tip and may out last and out produce the Zebco which I've had for a longer time .

RSS

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Sunday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Saturday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's group Lure History
"Oh, good for you, Bruce. More satisfying!"
Wednesday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on John Sheehan's group Lure History
"Hey John, I Have, but I also tie my own."
Wednesday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's group Lure History
"Hey Bruce! Did you ever try the MT Hellgrammites and Nymphs? The Black and natural colors have…"
Dec 16
Bruce Tomaselli commented on John Sheehan's group Lure History
"There is a big dam near where I live and it's pretty loaded with crappie and gills. You use to…"
Dec 16
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's group Lure History
"Thanks Bruce! Love using Mister Twister 1"- 4" Plastic Grubs! Especially on Hair Jigs or…"
Dec 16
Bruce Tomaselli commented on John Sheehan's group Lure History
Dec 16
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's group Lure History
"Very cool old nostalgic fishing stuff , hey Bruce! Glad you enjoy! What Mister Twister article are…"
Dec 15
Bruce Tomaselli commented on John Sheehan's group Lure History
"According to the Mister Twister article I was wrong. There were more than 3 colors offered and…"
Dec 15
Bruce Tomaselli commented on John Sheehan's group Lure History
"Wow! This is a gold mine of info right down to the articles at the bottom. I remember when Mister…"
Dec 15
Bruce Tomaselli commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

pike flies for a friend

"Yes, it does. I've seen them made of 30 lb. hard mason line or mono, but not this way. I like…"
Dec 15
dick tabbert commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

pike flies for a friend

"I hope this helps Bruce...."
Dec 14
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's group Lure History
"  Bomber Baits 1949 - Bass Fishing Archives  "
Dec 14
dick tabbert commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

pike flies for a friend

"With this set up the hook faces up with room to tie on the hook. (Weedless Pike Fly) by Niklaus…"
Dec 14
dick tabbert commented on dick tabbert's photo
Dec 14
dick tabbert commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

pike flies for a friend

"I took the hook, added a fish skull articulated shank, and tied it on with the knot to kinky. This…"
Dec 14

© 2024   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service