Bluegill tackle

[Ryan McCaw]

Question: Do you feel like most of the tackle sold for gills is just bass and walleye gear mini-sized. Other than a few companies like Southern Pro, I feel like we just get the after thought and left overs. Am I crazy or should I get the bunch out of my panties?

[Bill "Musky" Modica]

In regards to tackle as in rods, reels, line, hooks, jigs, line weights, bobbers, swivels, snaps, plastics, spoons, and even crankbaits.... I think the industry has come a long way in the last decade to accomodate the likes of us gill fishers....so, you may be crazy!

[robert b reid]

yes it has improved over the last 5 to 10 years i say. escipally in reels and rods. and now you even have more light weight crankbaits.

[Michael J. Searl]

Surely you must not be looking very hard for specialized panfish gear. Take a look at the Grizzly Jig site and just tons of others. Now if you are looking at the "big box" places ,you probably aren't very far off . ole Mike

[Jim Gronaw]

I think that just because tackle isn't labled 'bluegill' gear it doesn't mean that we cannot adapt with all forms of panfishing tackle to suit our needs. I am seeing more and more rods, reels and especially, smaller lure types in the industry as of late and I am actually feeling pretty good about it all.

Let's face it...crappie fishing is very popular through out much of the nation and we can certainly use much of that gear to help us get those big gills. Ice fishing gear and tactics are being refined almost every season and we are seeing 'cross over' techniques that can apply to more than one season for success.

It is certainly out there...you just have to hunt a little bit. Good luck!

[Ryan McCaw]

All good points. I guess I was thinking more of the big box places that one can drop by after work to grab a few items instead of ordering online. Rods, reels and such are better every year. I am more frustrated by terminal tackle selections. I fish exclusively artificial bait and finding small yet good sized plastics and cranks for the bigger gills can be hard. I LOVED the YoZuri snap beans but those seem to have disappeared.

[Ryan McCaw]

How do you go about making your own rod?

[Michael L Rogers]

Hi Ryan Mc.

Yes, you can make your own rods.Its not hard just get on the web and go to
WWW.JANNSNETCRAFT.COM and get there tackle graft book. I made a few
and getting ready to make one more.

[Nick Holt]

Hey Ryan, I pour my own plastics for panfish simply because I like to experiment with a variety of colors and styles. The company that I order my molds and other supplies from devote as many panfish varieties of molds as they do for bass and walleye. I agree with those of who said that there are more types of plastics out there and more and better quality tackle for the panfishermen and ladies. Nick.

[Dan Gwaltney]

One of the things I find attractive about fishing for 'gills and other panfish is that you can do it successfully without investing in a lot of fancy equipment. You can put as much or as little effort and expense into it as you like, and still catch fish. Personally, I like the simple route, but I also get a kick from making something out of nothing. My favorite outfit is a "Brimbuster" style telescoping pole with some guides and an ultralite spinning reel added. I'm also fortunate to live where I can just cut a cane pole from the shoulder of the highway. It is great fun for a Grandkid to "help" dig a few worms in the yard, cut a pole on the way to the creek, and come home with supper a couple of hours later.;-)