I would like to target some bluegill…panfish. Would someone please list some good flies for this?
tks n advance
jim
Briminator
Krystal buggers, wooly buggers
#10-12 gurglers
Poppers
Ants, beetles, crickets, hoppers, spiders
Nymphs work as well.
It’s probably harder to find a fly that won’t work! If I was forced to carry only one pattern, it would be the briminator!
I don’t know if you tie your own flies, but here are my top producers:
Bluegill Itsabug #14
Legs - Black Fine Rubber Legs
Underbody: Black Fine/small Chenille
Overbody: 2mm Black Closed Cell Foam (I do not trim this part w/ Fiskars scissors)
Head/Wing: Green 2mm Closed Cell Foam
http://www.southeastflyfishingforum.com/forum/terresterial-panfish-fly-bluegill-itsabug-bumbling-bee-t41838.html
Mackie Bug #14
I use UV Black Ice Dub for body and Fl. Green Ice Dub for the head.
http://flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2/052305fotw.php
Wotton Beadhead Super Midge #14
All Red => Basically a Red Zebra Midge with a red marabou tail
https://davyandtbird.wordpress.com/2014/09/06/history-of-how-davy-came-to-develop-the-whitetail-midge/
I fish the Itsabug with a Mackie Bug or Super Midge dropper (dropper length 12 in. or 18 in.). I usually cast it out and let it set until the wave rings disappear. Then I move it along slowly like a bug struggling to escape.
Vinny
They will hit anything. I prefer top water. The last two years, my most productive patterns have been a floating mop fly and a spider/slider I tie up. I tie them on size 6 or 8 hooks. A couple of pictures.
In the warmer weather like mid-summer, the bluegill often go a bit deeper. I like to use Cap Spiders fished just off of wed lines, brush deep drop-off. Here’s the link to a video made by the guy that created the pattern.
Jim Smith
Thank you all for taking the time to post flies. Very helpful. I was out bass fishing and saw bluegill in the water. Going to target them from my little Pond Hopper, out on an 85 acre pond where I will be totally alone with Mother Nature. The quiet times. I cherish.
Appreciate the help.
jim
Only and Rubber legged Dragon. Both in the FOTW>
Rick
A McGinty wet fly is a killer fly for bluegills. If I had to choose only one fly, that would be it.
An all black mohair yarn leech tied on a 2xl size 10 hook works great for me as well. I tie in a bit of long black rabbit fur for the tail, then tie in the mohair yarn at the bend of the hook. I like to add a few wraps of wire as an underbody to get a nice slow sink. Bead head is optional. Wrap the yarn to the eye of the hook, tie it off and you’re done. Super easy to tie, very durable and VERY effective!
Bully’s Bluegill Spiders in blk body/wht legs or yel body/wht legs
Other than a local pond that the Commonwealth of Kentucky stocks with put-and-take trout, all of my fishing is for bluegills (fairly obvious from my forum moniker). I highly suggest finding a copy of “Bluegills - Fly Fishing & Flies” by Terry & Roxanne Wilson. Lots of great patterns, such as the Bully’s Spider mentioned above, along with the humorous story on how it got its name. A wealth of information on Bluegill fishing.
Now that cooler weather has arrived, I’ve been fishing a bit deeper for the Bluegill. I tied up a number of this pattern that works well for me. I tie it on 1/124oz jig heads with a bit of rabbit fur for the tail and metallic Embroidery yarn for the body. I add eyes for “realism” and give the body and heat a good coat of UV epoxy. The jig hook causes the fly to ride hook point up, which is helpful when I fish in brush or over weed beds. It is nearly indestructible and have a nice slow sink rate and very erratic jigging action.
Jim Smith
I really like the fly, James, and I bet it would work under the ice, too. What size are the eyes, are they stick-on, and who sells them?
Thanks,
Bruce
I recommend you try the Panfish Wiggler. You can find it on a site called Panfish on the Fly. I had tied and fished some poppers the other day with little luck. I then tied on the Panfish Wiggler I tied and BAM on the first try. Several others followed without hesitation. Give it a try.
Lastchance,
For these little jigs, I use either 1/8" or 5/32" eyes. These eyes are self-sticking, but it’s only good for positioning them on the jig head. They will need a coat of epoxy. If you have not invested in the UV Epoxy yet with the UV flashlight, I strongly encourage to try it. It make life so much easier to have the epoxy dri in 5 seconds with the UV light. I buy the eyes from Janns Netcraft as they are about as cheap as I can find them. Here’s a link to the eyes at netcraft https://www.jannsnetcraft.com/molded-3d-lure-eyes/309030.aspx
I get the jig heads from a number of places. If you can only find the round head jigs in the 1/124 oz size, just take a pair of flat needle nose pliers and flatten the head to make a nice flat surface for the eyes to stick to. You will find the metallic Embroidery yarn at Michaels, Hobby Lobby, JoAnns Fabrics etc. Great stuff with lots of uses.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions at all.
Jim
Jim,
Have you ever tried using a mono weedguard on the small jigs. I have a couple of packs of hooks on my desk in 1/80 oz. I think, of course if I don’t get on the water they will rust where they are.
Jesse,
It’s good to hear from you. The only time I’ve used mono weed guards is on some streamers and heavily weighted flies. These little jig heads seem to do fine without them. I hope that you are doing well, and that you get some time on the water during some of our warmer winter days and into the spring season.
Take care and the offer stands…
Jim
Thanks so much James. Those are cool and I need tie some.
The Best
I just caught largest Blue Gill ever on a size 12 Panfish Wiggler. Simple to tie, but very buggy in the water. I found that they hit it on and just under the surface. Give it a try. Sorry no picture.
Hi John;
Does your Panfish Wigglers have bead chain eyes ?