Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Okay brothers and Sisters, I need some help. I have long been a devotee of the short, ultralight rods - say 5' maximum length. I'm going to try a longer rod this Spring, nearly 7', ultralight fast action, as I'm going for casting distance with negligible weight.

I'm looking for a reel that will handle at the heaviest, 4lb mono or braid,  and has excellent long distance ability, especially with very little weight. I'm just afraid that a traditional ultralight reel, with its diminutive spool, will not serve me well in this regard.

I've been researching long spool reels, and the newer mag spool reels, both of which tout their respective abilities at long distance casting, but have no experience with either one.

Does anyone use these type of reels, or have any suggestions?

Views: 2149

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I dont have a large spool  reel but have heard they are the ones to use .I've gotten good distance with a cheap 8' Slap Seeker rod but suggest you change tip tip on it as it catches the line the way it comes .Reel  that can cast a 32nd oz well on a slip float is what I want Tony .How light are you talking about and are you considering using a float for distance as well? I like to wade a flat and cast to a drop off  .

You're right, Tony, you don't want an ultralight reel for a rod that length, especially with longer casts being the goal.  I use one step up from ultralight on my eight-foot bluegill spinning rod, specifically a Shimano Sahara 1000FD; I load it with six-pound-test Trilene XL (I use monofilament because it's limper than flourocarbon and casts better with small baits and light weight).   This size reel has a larger spool, and thus provides for longer casts and more line capacity.  I know that a  lot of people use other brands of spinning reels, but I've tried most of the better brands and to me there's no comparison in quality and performance between Shimano and the rest - if you've never used a Shimano, you'd be amazed at the difference.  To me it's drastic.  They're just far smoother and more dependable and durable, just better made all around IMHO.  I'd take a low-end Shimano over a high-end reel from any other manufacturer - I had a UL of their cheapest spinning reel, the AX series which used to not even have one ball bearing, and that reel lasted me over twenty years and was more dependable than most high-end reels I've had from other manufacturers.

 

I'd suggest a slower action rod if you ever use live bait - it will do a far better job of casting bait long distances with little to no weight. 

Thanks John, sounds like you and I are after the same thing!

Walt, I will look into a moderate, or medium action and see what's available. I've always been a fan of Pflueger reels, but I'm not opposed to spending some money to get something that works better. Thanks!

I have a medium Plueger reel (4 to 12lbs), as well as the ultalight (1-4lbs). I tested both on the Berkley 7'6" ultralite, using a 1/64"oz jig head in the pool..not a whole lot of noticeable difference, and cast just as far. Smooth reeling back on both count. Uaing 2lbs PowerPro braid for ultralite, and 5lbs braid for light.
Leo what is the price on thw plueger if I may ask

I saw some rods recently at Bass Pro that were called MicroLite if I remember correctly - I know micro was part of the name, and it was a series of rods.  They had them to at least 8', and if I remember correctly may even have had 9' and longer, and they had some moderate and slow action ones that looked like pretty good rods for a factory rod.  I could make you a custom one but that would cost a good bit more than a factory one, don't know if you're looking to spend that much.  The micro-lites or whatever they're called looked like pretty good rods for the money.

You are right Walt. Bass Pro brand Microlite series rod or combo, which I nearly bought but saw the Quantum for the same price. The reel for the Microlite was not as well built, and the rep there indicated it snags a bit during dragging. The rod on the other hand is freaking awesome. There is a BassPro brand glass rod at 8' that blows my mond for $20. Want to grab it but didn't have the spare change. Flex like a Kencor magnaglass, cast like a fly rod, and made in China...not something I was hoping for..

Leo, the glass rod you are talking about, is it yellow?

Yep..that's the one

great rods for money, I have two. Put a little super glue on eye tip and keep a eye on rod about 1/8 from where rod tip eye ends. I am hell on these rods. I am probably going to buy another.

The ones I see here only go up to 6.5 feet, where did you find the 8 foot model?

Online is limited. Go into the store. The shortest is 4'6", 5', 5'6", the 6'6", 7'4", and the 8'. I was asking for more of the 4'6", but ended up with the 5'6" since they don't know when the new shipment for these will come.

RSS

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
21 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Some quality Warmouth I caught in my early years on the Albemarle….."
22 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
22 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
22 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Thanks for sharing John……you have patterned your available species pretty good over…"
yesterday
John Sheehan replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Only caught five of these Species up here in New Jersey. Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Red Breasted…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Crackers Saved This Morning Behind A Cold Front…..7/23/2025

If I get out the remainder of July it will probably be a crappie stalk on the coastal marsh……
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Slow Moving Cold Front Went Through Overnight and Shifted the Wind to the North so our rivers were dumped, but we wanted to go anyway…."
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
Tuesday
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"There’s multiple variations in the Spotted Sunfish….in Louisiana the Red Spotted…"
Tuesday
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Growing up in Louisiana into a fishing family I got many introductions to the Sportsman’s…"
Tuesday
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"I have personally caught 11 of the 12 panfish featured in this discussion. I have never lived in…"
Tuesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a discussion
Tuesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Monday
DAVID L EITUTIS commented on DAVID L EITUTIS's photo
Thumbnail

THIS COLOR COMBINATION SEEMS TO WORK THIS YEAR

"Yup blue and white is an essential with my oldest son......."
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"My glass boat is going to the shop tomorrow, need an ignition system tune up, figured I would give it up during this extended heat wave.."
Sunday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service