Thread: Bluegill fishing rigs

But a split shot/egg sinker wouldn't suspend the bait right?

If I adjust the small egg weight up the line, when I cast the rig, the weight goes to the bottom but the bait is free moving or suspending above the bottom like a Carolina Rig with a plastic worm.

Originally Posted by dixieangler

If I adjust the small egg weight up the line, when I cast the rig, the weight goes to the bottom but the bait is free moving or suspending above the bottom like a Carolina Rig with a plastic worm.

Ah I see what you're saying, but wouldn't the bait sink also after time? Or do you keep the weight moving as if you're fishing for bass?

Depends if there is some sort of current or not. No, I don't usually move it as it should have enough action without moving it but if no current, it may need to be moved occasionally.

Would using a surf leader setup work for targeting deep bluegill? That way it's barely suspended off the bottom, I'd like to try this rig using #8 circle hooks also.

I like to use light weight hi-res braid off of a spinning reel. I tie on a light mono leader without any swivels. About three feet down on the leader I tie on a 6 inch leader with a the smallest short shanked circle hooks I can find, i.e 4 or 6. About a foot below where I tied on the first hook and leader I tie on a small bass weight. About a foot bellow that, at the bottom of the leader, I will tie on a 2nd hook.

In very shallow, calm water I will shorten the leaders and use less weight. I prefer this to bobber if they are active. In deeper water I will use heavier weights. If I am fishing from a boat or pier straight down the 2nd hook will go above the weight. If the fish are stealing bait, I have found it works best to use a smaller 10 aberdeen hook. I bend the point inwards to point straight towards the eye of the hook. I use the bass weight instead of splitshot when I remember because bluegill will peck the splitshot right off the line. I keep this rig moving as slow as possible and wait for the greediest bluegill to hit it.

crawler harness (bright colored) with a good old canadian crawler with a split shot or two, cast it out and reel it in. try it a few times, guaranteed fish, or use one of those perch rigs cuz theyll catch most panfish including bluegill

I tried the surf leader using two size 8 circle hooks and a 1/4oz bass casting weight at Clear Lake this weekend using Berkley Honey Worms. This worked great, think bluegill fight hard? Try fighting 2 at the same time!

There arew several ways you can keep a bait suspended off the bottom, my favorite are the small stryo-foam floats used for some walleye rigs, and a 1/8 on.worm weight.You will need a small snap swivel also.Slip on the worm weight, tie on the swivel, and next take a piece of mono about 3 ft long, make a loop knot, then slip the small float onto the line, there are two ways to adjust the depth, but the easiest way is to peg thr float with a tooth pick, making sure it will slide up or down, then tie on your hook, and add your favorite bait, I like meal worms or red worms. Castout and let it hit bottom, then move it a few ft, till you find fish, bites will pull the line throught the worm weight, and your line will become taut, use a lighter dropper line than your main line, and you can vary the weights and snell lenghts to your personal needs.The small floats come in various color combos, my favorites are yellow and green or yellow and red, but that is up to you.You can find these floats at bass pro or cabelas, and some good tackle shops carry them.