Rod weight

[CHARLES A. VINSON, JR.]

What weight rod are you guys using when you are on the hunt for big bluegill.

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

I use a 5 weight glass rod. I now use only vintage flyrods because I like em. I use 7'-7'9" old wonderods from late 50.s to late 60.s rods . Super durable and not the some of the problems of graphite. I generally use a floating 5-6 weight line weight forward with a bit longer leader. The rods load fine and so forth and except for foam spiders the 5-6 lb. leaders work fine .
  The main reason I use these heavier rods and leaders were I fish in southern Illinois and Southeastern Iowa have lots of weeds, and oh ya some big gills and redears on the edges of the weeds and log jams.

  TOOTY

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

I use a 5 weight on a 7'9" vintage rod. GOt to have some backbone because of the proximity to the weeds I fish alot.

  TOOTY

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

HEY CHARLES, I USE OLD SHAKESPEARE WONDERODS all were made of glass back in the day. I use a 7'9" for most situations and also a 7' panfish special . Both are 5 weights and I use WFF 5 on both rods and once in a while use a 8'6" for crappie in the spring and early summer. I throw 6 weight WFF on that one.........

[Ray Ditzenberger]

I learned on glass because that was all there was other than Bamboo but who could afford a boo. An Orvis boo started about $300 and went way up from there. My old favorite was Heddon 6 1/2' 5wt rod. It sadly go broken. The only glass rod I currentl have is an old Berkley Cherrywood that is about an 8wt which was common back then. 5wts were very hard to find. There were a few 6wts and lots of 8wts. If I could find an old Shakespere or Heddon or possibly others I would buy it and use it. I liked the old glass and they were a lot more durable than the current graphite rods. They will take a lot of abuse short of closing doors.

 

Eagle Claw is marketing cheap glass rods or at least they were not long ago. There is 2 light wt ones and at least 1 heavier one. I found them at a flea market and I am sorry that I did not buy them. I went back later but the vendor was not there any longer.

[Ralph King]

Hi David, my first flyrod was a 8' 8wt. Wonderrod. It felt like a utility pole casting. :) But I could catch fish on it. I was a bit over doing it with an 8Wt. Now, I mostly use 3 and 4 wts. on brim. 

[Joe Breig]

I use a 9' 3wt Stowaway 6 from Cabela's. Overlined with 5wt. This is a really fine 'gill rod. Even a little one feels huge.

[Ralph King]

I use 3 different rods. 1. Scott 6'10" 3 wt. with a orvis Battenkill BS reel. 2. St. Croix 8' 3 Wt with Ross Reel. 3. Orvis 8.5' 4wt, with Orvis BS reel. All 3 are great with a bluegill on the line. :) 

I started flyfishing bluegills with a Ted Williams Sears, 7' 6 wt, "Ultralight". It was a really nice rod until it finally broke some years ago. 

[Ray Ditzenberger]

My favorite rod for the last 3 years is a TFO 6' 2wt that I have overlined with a DT floater. I have a 6' 5wt that preceded the 2wt and it is also a great rod. I also have a 8'6' 5wt TFO that I just can't quite warm up to. These short rods just work perfect for me in the tree canopy'd creeks that I have fished for the last several years. I have caught SMB up to 3# on the 2wt as well with no problems.

 

I am going to start with the 2wt in my new used yak. If that gives me a problem I will go to the long 5wt.. I hope to run into some old light weight glass rod for a decent price. My old one got broke. I did repair it but it just was not the same. I have since pasted it on to my granddaughter to get her started. Glass will take a lot more abuse than graphite. I also put an old Medalist on it. It also will take anything short of a truck running over it.  

[Ralph King]

Ray, I think you'll be happier with the 8'6" 5wt on the yak. The longer rod is easier to cast sitting slow low and close to the water. Good luck. I have a Creek Company, 9' pontoon boat and while I am a foot or so higher then you in the yak, the longer rod is better to cast. Have fun. By the way, where are you located? I am in North Georgia. 

[Ray Ditzenberger]

I have wondered the same. I will take both outfits on my first outing but do intend to start with the 6' rod just cause I like it. I will try to remember to report back on my findings. My butt will be slightly above water level. This thing is supposed to be stabil enough to stand in and fish. This whole kayak thing will be a learning experiance. I have spent a lot of time in canoes several years ago but this is all new. I hope th old dog learning new trixs is not true. hehehe 

 

I live in middle TN a few miles just south of Nashville. I am roughly an hour north of the AL state line.

[Lee]

 

 I fish out of a kayak and always take my 8'6" 3wt TFO BVK and my 9' 5wt TFO BVK. The extra length helps you keep your backcast up out of the water while sitting so low. The kayak has Alot of advantages it's quite, stealthy and you can get into places most others cant. I have a Native Ultimate which also allows me to stand and cast in still water.

 My little 3wt gets the call most of the time unless the wind comes up it's so smooth and sweet to cast I have trouble setting it down.

[Ray Ditzenberger]

My 6 footer is the only 2wt that I own. I have never had a need for anything longer and the short rod is a big advantage on the creeks I have fished in the past. I will take the longer rod with me so I will have it if I need it. You fellas are probably correct that a longer rod is an advantage. I have read that it is more difficult to land fish in a yak with a long rod. Like I said....it is going to be a learning experiance. If I find that I need the longer rod I will need to invest into a 2 or 3wt longer rod. Have you tried a rod in the 7' range?