When you want to go fishing in freshwater lakes for bluegill, it will result in a good experience. The bluegill is a pretty and exciting fish to catch. Fly fishing is quite unique as compared to other fishing types. It was originated long ago and got better with innovation.
You can catch these fish species with the help of fly fishing rods, and in this guide you will learn how to catch bluegill on a fly rod in easy steps. Let’s jump to it.
How to catch bluegill on a fly rod?
You will enjoy catching bluegills in the freshwater lakes. You can chase bluegills along the shoreline from a moving boat and feed them. The following steps will help you catch bluegills on a fly fishing rod.
These steps are:
- Choose the right fly rod
- Select the common place of bluegills
- Select the best lures or flies for bluegills
- Choose the correct time for casting bluegills
- Spread the line for bluegills
- Retrieve the line after catching bluegills
1. Choose the right fly fishing rod
Choosing the right fly rod for bluegills means choosing the appropriate length, action, power, reel, line, hook and leader for the bluegills. The right fly rod helps in catching bluegills more frequently. Typically a fly rod is different as compared to other fishing rods.
You do not have to wait for casting again and again. It casts the line appropriately and gives you the bluegills in a short span. The bluegills have a small mouth therefore the small hooks are used.
The light action rods are also suitable for casting bluegills. Smooth drag and perfect floating lines will help you land your hook on the fish.
2. Select the common place of bluegills
Bluegills are a freshwater species found in ponds, lakes, canals, and other water bodies. In water areas, they are easy to find.
It is important to pay attention to the common area of bluegills. Move onto another spot and cast if you do not find a bite or tiny head of bluegill.
You can concentrate on the immediate water areas for bluegills and not have to go far to catch them. In same water, you can also catch a bass with a fly fishing rod or cast for other fish species like crappie as well.
3. Select the best lures or flies for bluegills
Select the best lures and flies for the bluegills. You can find interest in the bluegill after examining the fish. If the fish is floating on water and eating water spiders or mosquitoes, it would be a good sign to trap them by dry flies, nymphs and poppers.
Another tip is if the bluegill lives underwater and eats small minnows, leeches, or insects, then present worms, rubber spiders, or black gnats.
So the artificial flies will trap and predate the bluegills just like natural food. It is also similar to catching trout using artificial flies.
4. Choose the correct time for casting bluegills
The bluegills become lazy or slow when the temperature rises 50 degrees Fahrenheit or above. Choose the correct time, weather, location and wind pressure for bluegills catching.
Early mornings or evenings are good for catching bluegills because they are active at that time and wander off the shoreline.
So with the knowledge of appropriate timing for the bluegill, you can catch it on a fly rod. Choosing the correct time is crucial for catching other fish like steelhead.
5. Spread the line for bluegills
Check the wind pressure and direction after completing all the important things and preparing the rod. If you cast along the wind, it would be helpful in spreading the line far away with little energy.
Take it as an advantage and present food to bluegills with artificial flies. The small mouth bluegill immediately attracts and hooks onto it.
Note: You can also catch a lot of different fish using fly fish rod. Find this complete guide to catch carp fishing with a fly fishing rod.
6. Retrieve the line after catching bluegills
The bluegills bite the flies and get caught in the small hooks. You can retrieve the line from the water and pull it out. The practice of retrieving the line and catching will accurately determine your casting.
You can catch the bluegills more effectively and energetically. And it will enhance your experience of catching more and more bluegills on a fly rod.
Final Thoughts
Bluegills are the easiest fish to catch on a fly fishing rod. They are visually enticed by artificial flies or whatever they want to eat. Catching bluegills on a fly rod is quite interesting and simple.
We have explained all the steps and tricks to help you catch your first bluegills with fly rods.
So, become a master after following the above-mentioned steps and practice for productivity. We hope this study will encourage you to go for bluegills and catch them with fly fishing rods just like we did in our fish tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What flies to use for bluegill?
If the bluegill is floating on water and eating water spiders or mosquitoes, you can trap them by dry flies, nymphs and poppers. If the bluegill is in underwater, you can trap them with worms, rubber spiders, or black gnats.
What is the best way to catch bluegill
The best way to catch bluegill using a fly fishing rod is to choose the right rod and look for a common place of bluegill fish. You need to choose good lure as well as time for casting bluegills. Once you are ready, spread the line and retrieve after catching bluegill fish.