Pflueger is my choice of reels also. I have several, Including Triton's, Presidents, and Supremes. Not a bad one in the bunch, and they make a reel for nearly every budget and application.
I have several different rods and reels from barely into double digit$ to seriously into triple digit$. The longer rod and more expensive reels are marginally better for many things; but you can have just as much fun with a short rod and inexpensive reel. The main thing is getting out there to use them.
YA know guys I've been using Shimano Sedona's for years now . Have experienced a problem with two of em in the last couple months . The bail springs get week and even closing the bail manually , as I've always done, they just don't seem to go all the way closed for some reason. Thinking about switching back to Penn's and see how they are .........
I think a lot of it comes down to what makes you happy. If you're idea of fishing is putting strong numbers of bluegills on the bank or in the boat, then you may want gear that allows you to winch em' in with a minimum of problems...If you get snagged on a ground-driven manure spreader that's been down there since the late thirties, you need the tackle that lets you rip the sideboards off and get back to fishin'.....been there myself.
If you're fishing gin clear water with spooky bluegills, you may need something else, and a different approach oftentimes calls for different equipment.
You can have a lot of fun with one, all purpose rod. But I firmly believe having different setups allows you a certain flexibility that is important when you're idea of bluegill fishing centers around selective targeting, or finesse presentations, rather than mass numbers.
I don't see any need to break the bank either. But, If expensive equipment makes you happy, then I think that will translate into greater success on the water, and I see nothing wrong with that.
I have several reels;; from diawa micro mini;s zebco classic micro;s; a daiwa 1000; that I just loved. all of them very inexpensive; and a ton of fun. right now im using a quantum; Q-VECT;; small; fits in the palm of your hand; smooth gears and so far;; excellent to use. most of my spinning rods are fenwicks 7 foot. like tooty;; I have had several shimano;s;; but I like the quantum reel better. I just like the small stuff;; and I have caught a lot of very large fish with them; but I prefer fly fishing to any thing! generally; I keep 5 or more rods on my boat; set up for different types of fish; should the occasion arise.
John I have the Arbor. Its a nice reel but just a tad bulky especially after using UL reels all the time. I can say I can cast farther with it the larger reel helps to make that possible.
Dick , I wondered about the bulkiness. How long a rod do you have it mounted on ?Is it less of a coil/twist problem using it? I was under the impression they did make a UL model.
John I have it mounted on a 7' Cabela's UL rod. The reel is every bit as smooth as the rest of the Pflueger line up which is why I changed all my reels over to Pflueger. I took a picture of the Arbor and compaired it to one of my Supreme's. They are both UL both good quality reels but the Arbor is a little larger spool and takes more line which gives you more distance and reels line in faster which stands to reason being the larger spool. I guess we can say that since its not that tight of coil you can get less birds nest problems but does not totally eliminate them all together but you may fish longer till you have one. Always open bail by hand and close by hand. Never reel line in when the fish is taking drag this will surely increase chances of birds nest.
Thanks Dick .I see the arbor is quite a bit bigger profile . Looks like it may be a good reel when fishing a longer rod from shore . I have an 8' and a 7.5' rods that I have a Daiwa spinmatic and another cheaper Daiwa reel on .Maybe in time I'll try using the Arbor reel on these rods .
John;; I agree with dick tabbert; on opening and closing the reel by hand. it does help;; to reduce line twist. also ;; when I cast my line;; just as my lure; or bait hits water;; I just push my index finger onto the reel;; stopping the line from coming off the reel. that also helps to reduce line twist. and;; I apply a line dressing;; like reel oil to my line. it GREATLY helps;; on casting;; and reducing line twist. but bottom line;; because of the design of a spinning reel;; it is; at some time; going to twist line!!
Here's the lowdown Carl: Top to bottom : Ugly Stick/Daiwa Sweepfire 1000B,4# test ; Four Piece Eagle Claw /Penn 101 ,6#test; Ugly Stick, Daiwa Spinmatic 500 T ,4# test ; Saint Croix rod , Pflueger Supreme, 4# test ; Shimano Sensilite ,Pflueger President ,2# test
And I happen to inherit the Daiwa ST 1500C. All metal. Shockingly smooth, even though the cosmetic appearance looks like it been through a mythetical epic battle.
Leo;; last 3 years I have been using a quantum- q-vex 10 reel;; super smooth;; 10 ball bearings;; NICE little reel;; reasonably priced I like it REAL GOOD!!!
Luhr Jensen 7' UL rod with BPS TinyLite reel spooled with 4# low vis flouro
Eagle Claw pack rod (light fly/spin combo) with a Quantum snapshot 6# mono
Browning 5' 8" rod with BPS Extreme Tourney reel with 10# nanofil
(numerous other larger setups and a couple of fly rods not relevant here)
The Luhr Jensen is my primary and only true UL (though the Eagle Claws is a very light rod) though all 3 of those can cast some fairly light lures.
The pack rod is usually just for its intended purpose - taking along on a mostly not fishing trip where I may get a chance to fish.
The Browning has a little more backbone and it's what I use if I am casting/jigging in "snag city" or if I decide to take an occasional bass cast with a larger lure. It has the best reel of these 3.
Most of the time I am in my kayak with the Browning in the rear rod holder and the Luhr Jensen in my hands, lap or front rod holder.
always thought those were those wood flat bottomed boats where the bow sweeps up david.big and small the cajuns and swampers use.the commercial guys on lake okeechobee use em.i think they are hand built.
looks like a fun project andy.me and son # 3 were always gonna build a little pram from marine plywood the plans were in field and stream.he's more into cars now.guys around here build cedar canoes they are works of art.the kayak craze has really caught on around here.
"A bateau is a shallow-draft, flat-bottomed boat, traditionally pointed at both ends..."
Pretty much describes the Blue Beast.
"...used extensively across North America, especially in the colonial period and in the fur trade. The name derives from the French word, bateau, which is simply the word for boat."
350 would be on flat water without the self bail option. I have mine to the stage where I built the lower hull and put drains in (not like show in the plans; I adapted with the designer's help and have through the bottom drains. My drains are just over 5" from the hull and I tested it in a friends pond. With me (currently about 200 and falling) in it the water level was far enough below the top of the drain tubes to be a dry ride. I put 3 gallon jugs of water in the stern and 2 in the bow and it was almost to the top of the drains. So built as a self bailer with a 5" sole, I think it will be a wet ride over 250. It won't sink, it will just be wet. I am building up the cockpit sole with foam and sculpting the seat.
ANDY;; I USE A EITHER WD 40 OR SOME TYPE OF REEL SPRAY TO USE ON MY LINE;; ALL THE TIME!! REALLY REDUCES KINKS;; LOOSE COILS. HELPS TREMDOUS. AND-- AT THE END OF MY FISHING TRIP-- I STRETCH MY LINE OUT;; RE-WIND IT ALL IN;; THAT WAY ITS READY FOR THE NEXT TRIP
Do any of you Ultra Light guys ever use a casting bubble to cast flies? I was wondering how long your leader is between the bubble and the fly? Would 4 ft be enought? Thanks
whatever you are comfortable casting.my uncle used one forever and always caught tons of fish.he had the type you could put water in for distance.i think they actually attract fish like a popper dropper
The Floating Jig head doesn't really float. The weight of a crawler piece does make it descend through the Water Column very slowly however and is a great presentation for Bluegills.
Any one have any info on a good place to find tackle geared towards pan fish rather than just walleyes/bass> Catalogs never seem to have very much to offer towards purchasing tackle geared towards just panfish., without having to purchase hooks here and line at another place. I lean towards fishing UL style, so have problems finding eqip. best suited for this type fishing at one place. Appreciate any help you can share
John Sheehan
Sounds great Jim ! I got a great deal (30 bucks off ) on the Sensilite rod .
May 22, 2014
David, aka, "McScruff"
May 22, 2014
Tony Livingston
Pflueger is my choice of reels also. I have several, Including Triton's, Presidents, and Supremes. Not a bad one in the bunch, and they make a reel for nearly every budget and application.
May 22, 2014
Jeff Workman
May 22, 2014
DAVID L EITUTIS
YA know guys I've been using Shimano Sedona's for years now . Have experienced a problem with two of em in the last couple months . The bail springs get week and even closing the bail manually , as I've always done, they just don't seem to go all the way closed for some reason. Thinking about switching back to Penn's and see how they are .........
May 22, 2014
Tony Livingston
I think a lot of it comes down to what makes you happy. If you're idea of fishing is putting strong numbers of bluegills on the bank or in the boat, then you may want gear that allows you to winch em' in with a minimum of problems...If you get snagged on a ground-driven manure spreader that's been down there since the late thirties, you need the tackle that lets you rip the sideboards off and get back to fishin'.....been there myself.
If you're fishing gin clear water with spooky bluegills, you may need something else, and a different approach oftentimes calls for different equipment.
You can have a lot of fun with one, all purpose rod. But I firmly believe having different setups allows you a certain flexibility that is important when you're idea of bluegill fishing centers around selective targeting, or finesse presentations, rather than mass numbers.
I don't see any need to break the bank either. But, If expensive equipment makes you happy, then I think that will translate into greater success on the water, and I see nothing wrong with that.
May 22, 2014
carl hendrix
I have several reels;; from diawa micro mini;s zebco classic micro;s; a daiwa 1000; that I just loved. all of them very inexpensive; and a ton of fun. right now im using a quantum; Q-VECT;; small; fits in the palm of your hand; smooth gears and so far;; excellent to use. most of my spinning rods are fenwicks 7 foot. like tooty;; I have had several shimano;s;; but I like the quantum reel better. I just like the small stuff;; and I have caught a lot of very large fish with them; but I prefer fly fishing to any thing! generally; I keep 5 or more rods on my boat; set up for different types of fish; should the occasion arise.
May 22, 2014
John Sheehan
I would like to own a Pflueger UL Arbor reel .I hear with the large diameter spool you don't get the problems with line twist .
May 24, 2014
dick tabbert
John I have the Arbor. Its a nice reel but just a tad bulky especially after using UL reels all the time. I can say I can cast farther with it the larger reel helps to make that possible.
May 24, 2014
John Sheehan
Dick , I wondered about the bulkiness. How long a rod do you have it mounted on ?Is it less of a coil/twist problem using it? I was under the impression they did make a UL model.
May 24, 2014
dick tabbert
John I have it mounted on a 7' Cabela's UL rod. The reel is every bit as smooth as the rest of the Pflueger line up which is why I changed all my reels over to Pflueger. I took a picture of the Arbor and compaired it to one of my Supreme's. They are both UL both good quality reels but the Arbor is a little larger spool and takes more line which gives you more distance and reels line in faster which stands to reason being the larger spool. I guess we can say that since its not that tight of coil you can get less birds nest problems but does not totally eliminate them all together but you may fish longer till you have one. Always open bail by hand and close by hand. Never reel line in when the fish is taking drag this will surely increase chances of birds nest.
May 24, 2014
John Sheehan
Thanks Dick .I see the arbor is quite a bit bigger profile . Looks like it may be a good reel when fishing a longer rod from shore . I have an 8' and a 7.5' rods that I have a Daiwa spinmatic and another cheaper Daiwa reel on .Maybe in time I'll try using the Arbor reel on these rods .
May 25, 2014
carl hendrix
John;; I agree with dick tabbert; on opening and closing the reel by hand. it does help;; to reduce line twist. also ;; when I cast my line;; just as my lure; or bait hits water;; I just push my index finger onto the reel;; stopping the line from coming off the reel. that also helps to reduce line twist. and;; I apply a line dressing;; like reel oil to my line. it GREATLY helps;; on casting;; and reducing line twist. but bottom line;; because of the design of a spinning reel;; it is; at some time; going to twist line!!
May 25, 2014
John Sheehan
May 25, 2014
John Sheehan
Happy I found my twist out again .Works best on 6 lb test and thicker line but it works on 4 and 2# also.
Jun 9, 2014
Doug Palone
Like Shimano's but picked up a Garcia Mitchell 309 with an old Zebco 5'9" 2 piece fiberglass rod at the flea market.
Jun 19, 2014
John Sheehan
Oct 12, 2014
John Sheehan
Nice find Doug!
Oct 12, 2014
carl hendrix
those are some good rods John;; what kind of reels are those
Oct 12, 2014
John Sheehan
Here's the lowdown Carl: Top to bottom : Ugly Stick/Daiwa Sweepfire 1000B,4# test ; Four Piece Eagle Claw /Penn 101 ,6#test; Ugly Stick, Daiwa Spinmatic 500 T ,4# test ; Saint Croix rod , Pflueger Supreme, 4# test ; Shimano Sensilite ,Pflueger President ,2# test
Oct 12, 2014
Leo Nguyen
Love the old Daiwa. Just got two from a friend, and they were made like a freaking tank, with 2 of 6 bearings in the Jupiter Z series.
Oct 12, 2014
carl hendrix
I still have a old;; Daiwa- 1000 C spinning reel ;; need to get it fixed;; I wore the bail out on it;; LOL!! great little reel for panfish!!
Oct 12, 2014
Leo Nguyen
Oct 12, 2014
carl hendrix
Leo;; last 3 years I have been using a quantum- q-vex 10 reel;; super smooth;; 10 ball bearings;; NICE little reel;; reasonably priced I like it REAL GOOD!!!
Oct 12, 2014
Andy is OptiMystic
The rods that I fish UL on...
Luhr Jensen 7' UL rod with BPS TinyLite reel spooled with 4# low vis flouro
Eagle Claw pack rod (light fly/spin combo) with a Quantum snapshot 6# mono
Browning 5' 8" rod with BPS Extreme Tourney reel with 10# nanofil
(numerous other larger setups and a couple of fly rods not relevant here)
The Luhr Jensen is my primary and only true UL (though the Eagle Claws is a very light rod) though all 3 of those can cast some fairly light lures.
The pack rod is usually just for its intended purpose - taking along on a mostly not fishing trip where I may get a chance to fish.
The Browning has a little more backbone and it's what I use if I am casting/jigging in "snag city" or if I decide to take an occasional bass cast with a larger lure. It has the best reel of these 3.
Most of the time I am in my kayak with the Browning in the rear rod holder and the Luhr Jensen in my hands, lap or front rod holder.
Jan 15, 2015
DAVID L EITUTIS
What's a bateau ?
Feb 2, 2015
David, aka, "McScruff"
Sometimes that junk just falls out...
Feb 2, 2015
DAVID L EITUTIS
Oh ok didn't know what it was ........
Feb 2, 2015
Andy is OptiMystic
The kayak I am building is from bateau.com
http://www.bateau.com/studyplans/WV13_study.htm?prod=WV13
Feb 2, 2015
jim cosgrove
always thought those were those wood flat bottomed boats where the bow sweeps up david.big and small the cajuns and swampers use.the commercial guys on lake okeechobee use em.i think they are hand built.
Feb 2, 2015
DAVID L EITUTIS
LOOKED AT THE PLANS AND I LIKE THAT THING ANDY !!!!!! 350 LB.S WOULD JUST ABOUT DO ME WITH SOME GEAR ....
Feb 2, 2015
jim cosgrove
looks like a fun project andy.me and son # 3 were always gonna build a little pram from marine plywood the plans were in field and stream.he's more into cars now.guys around here build cedar canoes they are works of art.the kayak craze has really caught on around here.
Feb 2, 2015
David, aka, "McScruff"
Pretty much describes the Blue Beast.
"...used extensively across North America, especially in the colonial period and in the fur trade. The name derives from the French word, bateau, which is simply the word for boat."
Feb 2, 2015
Andy is OptiMystic
350 would be on flat water without the self bail option. I have mine to the stage where I built the lower hull and put drains in (not like show in the plans; I adapted with the designer's help and have through the bottom drains. My drains are just over 5" from the hull and I tested it in a friends pond. With me (currently about 200 and falling) in it the water level was far enough below the top of the drain tubes to be a dry ride. I put 3 gallon jugs of water in the stern and 2 in the bow and it was almost to the top of the drains. So built as a self bailer with a 5" sole, I think it will be a wet ride over 250. It won't sink, it will just be wet. I am building up the cockpit sole with foam and sculpting the seat.
Feb 2, 2015
Andy is OptiMystic
The French word is why the boat designer (Jacques Martens) calls his site bateau.com; not pretentious at all. To him it just means boat... :-)
Feb 2, 2015
David, aka, "McScruff"
It's kinda cool.
Feb 2, 2015
Andy is OptiMystic
Jim - I built a round bottom pram a few years back. Looked sort of like half of a big barrel.
Feb 2, 2015
carl hendrix
NEAT LITTLE BOAT ANDY!! LOOK UP ON GOOGLE;; CORKY;; THE SAILING INNERTUBE!!
Feb 2, 2015
carl hendrix
ANDY;; I USE A EITHER WD 40 OR SOME TYPE OF REEL SPRAY TO USE ON MY LINE;; ALL THE TIME!! REALLY REDUCES KINKS;; LOOSE COILS. HELPS TREMDOUS. AND-- AT THE END OF MY FISHING TRIP-- I STRETCH MY LINE OUT;; RE-WIND IT ALL IN;; THAT WAY ITS READY FOR THE NEXT TRIP
Feb 2, 2015
Bill Dungan
Do any of you Ultra Light guys ever use a casting bubble to cast flies? I was wondering how long your leader is between the bubble and the fly? Would 4 ft be enought? Thanks
Mar 20, 2015
Jason Preslar
Mar 20, 2015
Bill Dungan
Jason, I live in Okla. and we have lots of wind so I will use my fly rod when I can but on windy days the Ultra light will be great.
Mar 20, 2015
jim cosgrove
whatever you are comfortable casting.my uncle used one forever and always caught tons of fish.he had the type you could put water in for distance.i think they actually attract fish like a popper dropper
Mar 20, 2015
Mark Sleeper
can I join this group thanks Mark
Jun 28, 2015
Justin
Dec 7, 2015
dick tabbert
Justin go to the message box. If you look above you'll see a box if you put your c curser over it it will say image. You can download from there.
Dec 7, 2015
Justin
Dec 7, 2015
John Sheehan
Todays 3 species UL 2# test catchers
Jul 31, 2023
John Sheehan
The Floating Jig head doesn't really float. The weight of a crawler piece does make it descend through the Water Column very slowly however and is a great presentation for Bluegills.
Oct 14, 2023
Marvin Morgan
Any one have any info on a good place to find tackle geared towards pan fish rather than just walleyes/bass> Catalogs never seem to have very much to offer towards purchasing tackle geared towards just panfish., without having to purchase hooks here and line at another place. I lean towards fishing UL style, so have problems finding eqip. best suited for this type fishing at one place. Appreciate any help you can share
Jan 6, 2024