Thread: Latest Bluegill Trip

You have to set the drag right. I've caught plenty of big fish on handlines. People catch tuna all the time on handlines. You never hold a death grip on the line. You let the fish run. In fact I've scaled it down so I can catch bluegill.

Most videos on handline fishing are catching big saltwater fish. That's not to mention that people handline via jugs and trotline everyday with no problems.

My mainline is 30 lbs line anyway. That is very easy on the hands. I don't even have to fight the fish on the leader if I don't want. I got tired of building rods all winter just to have them break in spring. So I threw rod and reel away and started handline fishing. This is how most people around the world fish anyway.

30 lbs backing > 27 lbs lead core line > 20 lbs shank > 8 lbs furled leader. By the time reel in to the leader the fish is already played out. You can always wear a glove to protect your hands.

Here's how to fight big fish on a handline without hurting yourself: