Equipment advise

[Benjamin Walter Romine]

Good morning, as partially explained in a brief bio posted to My Page, my fishing has consisted of cane pole with float, hook and worms. Have done a bit of fly fishing on several trips out West where I used a mid range trout set-up which consisted of a 8'6"  #5 rod with, I believe, a 6wt. floating line which needs the backing and line replaced (perhaps with a 4 wt. line). If bluegill fly fishing is added to my desire for trying a spinning rod and reel, do you guys think I have an adequate fly rod/reel set up?  Probably old for an occasional fisherman to get too invested in equipment. One more bit of advise ... I would appreciate suggestions re: a spinning rod and reel of the 'best for the money' type, plus recommended line- type and weight.

 More advise will, I assure you, be sought but, for now,  thank you for your current input!

 

[Lord of the Fly , Rods]

Ben, 90% of the fishing I do is with a % weight , 8-5 ' graphite fly rod ,  I just do it a little different , I use a #8 hook a small split shot about 6-8 inches up from the hook and then I suspend this under a 7-9 inch porcupine quill. This is like using a cane pole with an adjustable line, which is deadly on all types of fish but I mainly target bluegill . The quill is the most sensitive fishing indicator I have ever seen and I have 57 years experience using them and still do .   LOFR

[Keith Ritter]

I have been using a Gander Mountain Competitor combo with a 5'6" ultra-light rod. It cost 30$ and is a very good combo for the money. I use Stren original 4# test because of its value and versatility. I use it for spinners, crank baits, drop shot rigs and float rigs too. I also like Mr.Crappie mono for a hi-vis line. I hope this helps. I have others but this one is a good all around combo.

[carl hendrix]

BEN;JUST LIKE ; LORD OF THE FLY RODS; AND KEITH RITTER;; I ALSO USE A FLY ROD FOR BLUE GILLS...  MY FAVORITE IS A TFO 8FT6IN  IN A 3 WT; WITH 4 WT LINE..  ( WITH FLY RODS; YOU GO UP; GENERALLY ONE WT LINE ON WHAT YOUR ROD IS;; MAKES FOR EASIER CASTING;; DONT GO DOWN BELOW WHAT THE ROD IS;; MAKES FOR A UN-HAPPY DAY !!))   MOST OF THE TIME I CAST SOME TYPE OF FLY; MIGHT TIP IT TO; WITH A PIECE OF NITE CRAWLER;; CATCH RATE GOES WAY UP THAT WAY !!   OR;; MIGHT USE A POPPING BUG;; WITH A DROPPER TIED ONTO IT;; VERY DEADLY SET UP  THAT WAY ALSO!!

[Benjamin Walter Romine]

Thanks to LOFR and  Keith ...both your answers were exactly the type info I am looking for.    LOFR, realize you are dealing with someone with limited equipment vocabulary! The 0/0  I assume refers to a monofilament line loaded on a fly reel. Strip off some line and cast the bait, split shot and indicator as with a 'regular' fly-line.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

It's possible LOFR meant a 5/6 weight fly rod, and mistyped "%" instead.
Most people use a fly line with various differences on the working end-

Carl uses a fly rig with some worm added.
I couldn't make out if LOFR has a fly line or something else.

But both limit their casting distance, and rely on their "systems" more for pinpoint delivery, and the ability to employ very lightweight terminal tackle... the long limber fly rod excels in these points.
It should also be mentioned they are in boats most of the time, the mobility of which is a huge plus.

Youll find the fly rod with anything other than a balanced fly line a challenge to cast very far. For actual spin-style casting, I use the fly rod - but I add a spinning reel and light line. Then it still casts light tackle, but offer the convenience of the spinning gear.
I also have "spin-fly" rods, which are a hybrid between the two.
Both of these are dedicated items, not rigged back and forth between fly and spinning set ups. I have my fly rod and I have my spinning rigs and usually have both with me.
To set up a spin-fly rig isn't expensive, and having another tool for the job is a good idea no matter how old you are. I'm with Keith Ritter on that.

A serviceable spin-fly rod is about $35 and an ultralight spinning reel can be had for $15-25.
For line, I use 6# hi-viz crappie line, with 2-4# leaders. All the basic hooks, floats, shot and other items are had for 5 or 6 bucks.
My exact rig is this -
Spin - fly rod: Eagle Claw, 8', 15$ used on eBay
Reel - Daiwa US-80X trigger spin-cast spin-cast, $15 used on ebay.
I get the live bait tackle at Wal-Mart.
Because I am good at eBay and don't mind gently used gear, I save money.

Now if you just wanna keep the fly gear, I suggest what Carl does is the simplest place to start. Use the usual top water bugs when they're feeding on the top and some medium (size 8-6) Woolly Buggers or wet flies for beneath the surface. And don't forget to bring The "garden hackle," aka, red worms!

Lastly, master the roll cast and the side arm cast for precise placement. It's rare to need really long casts for this kind of fishing.

[Benjamin Walter Romine]

Very Helpful, David. Thanks!   Particularly the info about not using lower weight fly line than rod rating. My #5 rod with a 5- line could work I suppose for dry flies even though I have a larger set-up  than needed for bluegill. Definitely going the spinning route though.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

As for a 5 weight fly rod -

Dont stress over the weight. If its balanced and you can cast it, focus more on your leader and tippet combinations. The desire to go down to 3, 2, even 0-weight rods is recent and, dare I say, a fanciful pre-occupation. Its one of those things where you learn you can do it, but you ask, "Do I have to?" 

The single most useful weight for freshwater fishing is the 5/6 wt. Industry sales and experts bear this out. Big bass, Steelhead, monster pike, and other such "specialized" fishing requires more... but for the sort of fishing were talking about here, that 5 wt will be more than adequate.

It is also the most used and so has the most options, especially in lines - being the most popular has that effect.

So dont feel like you're committing some faux pas because you haven't gotten a 3 wt like you read about in In-Fisherman. 

[CJ behrle]

"Garden Hackle"  HUM,  I like.

[Slip Sinker]

One of my most versatile spinning rigs and setup that i keep in my vehicle at all times... its been a great all around rig for me... great for fishing presentations in most situations.

you can see many more examples of setups on

http://bigbluegill.com/group/pattern-rigging-presentation-for-bluegill

ive posted many of my favorite setups as well as BBG members... general setups like this or more specific.

 

[carl hendrix]

Ben;; your 5 wt fly rod will be great to use on blue gills also;   a 5 wt ; is actually a great wt rod that most everybody uses;; we just down size in rod wt ; just for more fun catching blue gill;; its a real blast !! and when you hook into a 3 to 5 pound catfish; or bass or a stripe;; the fun is awsome !!  since you already have a 5 wt rod;  keep using it ! no real need to change it up--   its going to be fun as is !!  for spinning gear; any type of ultra light will be great;; some prefer; higher end reels; n rods;; but  thats up to you;  tooty makes a great fiberglass rod; even has some older; wonder rods that he sells some times; ( tooty;s other name on his drivers liscense- david l eitutis)

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I use a 5wt exclusively, For fly casting, because bass always crash the party.
I tie my own leaders, and use fluorocarbon for the last three feet and the tippet.
When spinning, I use it as the leader

[Lord of the Fly , Rods]

 Ben , I accidentally hit the upper case key on the keyboard , what I was going to say is I use a 5 wt. rod because because you never know when a big catfish is going to take your hook.   LOFR