Yeah, it isn't for everyone, but the principles can because to target bluegill on rod and reel given the difficulty you've been having. Just drag/troll one line rig on a Kentucky rig about 30 yards behind the boat on rod an reel. That's what I did before handlining. The rig doesn't know it's on a handline or rod and reel, neither do the fish.
In fact if I were to go back to a rod and reel, I'd get a fly rod with sinking line and run this same pattern.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEQLS1ovw60
