good shooting head video

Here's a link->link to a shooting head video. Nice tight loops, kept parallel to the ground.

A 10wt rod/12wt head is on the heavy side for what folks use out here for stripers.

http://www.danblanton.com/viewmessage.php?id=119862

mikechin

I dunno Mike, I use 9 wt T-14 on my 7 wt rods and 11 wt t-14 on my 9 wt rods. But since my kayak and float tube is closer to the water I figure I need that extra weight to shoot because I cannot let my back cast dip to the water. I've fished with some of the folks on Dan's board on boats--that extra height allows you to cast more elegantly and get longer casts more consistently. But I use a kayak and float tube over a boat for numerous reasons and won't be changing.

Still hope to get back to fishing sometime soon at Del Valle--those Stripers have been left alone far too long by fly fishers in kayaks.

Apropos of practically nothing in this thread, other than mentioning it's time to break out the flail: I've been using the 4 weight for bluegill in the evenings here at the lake, and am breaking out the double hander for the first time in four years as well. Watching Simon Gawesworth is inspirational, I'm going to pick up a Scandi head for the A2 1308. Alaskan Silvers in the salt - oh yeah baby...

Scott

Ah Bluegill--feisty little buggers. Like tiny freshwater Permit when you get a big one--only a lot easier to catch.  4wt is a bit big though but I guess you don't have a 3wt. I got one for backcountry fishing in the Sierra and Sunfish are a blast on it. I'd love to try it on Pacific Mackerel.

Hey Guys, Hello to you Mike and Scott as well and that little marmot.
Mike I've said this many times and I will say it again, It's not always the fish you're casting to but your environment (Mainly the wind) around you that dictates the rod you use at least it is for me.On the Delta, San Louie Res, O:Neill Forebay and my home waters Millerton Lake. I use a high quality 9 wt with a Rio commercial shooting most of the time It's one of their fastest sinkers.I love it you can almost cast it like a conventional  rod.
I was using the SA custom express but the coating on the line starting cracking.
On those rare time I hook a double digit line sides or any big fish I always glad I have the 9 wt. I was using a 10 wt for a while but it got hard on the arms, however on those times when you hook a big one that pain can go away oh so quick.
On the subject of Bluegill I've had a new favorite freshwater fish, it's the Southeastern Bluegill. I've been catching them bigger than my hand on my 6 wt for a while.
I was using my 3 wt but it was like trying to catch a rock so I starting using my 6 wt
The bad news is the ones I'm catching or in private waters. In the last several years they've been planted in public waters here in the San Joaquin Valley.



 

I used my 7 wts at San Luis last year but Rickey is right--its fine in the single-digit weights of Stripers but once they get into the double digits they are a lot harder to control especially in a kayak or float tube. I'll be using my 9's this Summer and Fall there.

I hope they plant some of those feisty ones around here.

Rickey, do you have to put up with Quagga Mussel inspection in your neck of the woods?

Morning Daniel, Not yet or at least not that I know of.
But then again the only public waters I fished last year and this one was The Delta.
I got your message last night I may actually make the tournament at Hogan.
I love them lake stripers.

I am going to try and make it--its a 2 1/2 drive so not much farther than San Luis for me (by an hour only). But I haven't fished since last September on the kayak (been Sierra land fishing) so I have a lot to check over and get ready. I'll keep you posted.

Ah Bluegill--feisty little buggers. Like tiny freshwater Permit when you get a big one--only a lot easier to catch.  4wt is a bit big though but I guess you don't have a 3wt. I got one for backcountry fishing in the Sierra and Sunfish are a blast on it. I'd love to try it on Pacific Mackerel.

Daniel,

I've caught bass close to 3 lbs that hit the little bluegill pattern Clouser I was using to catch Crappie and Sunfish with the 4 weight. There was also the one fish that just broke me off in seconds with that same fly. I've also been immediately broken off by a fish on the 8 weight in this lake as well. Though that was most likely due to a weak knot. 

While diving, I've seen some 'gills here that probably went close to two pounds. Scary big. I've never been able to entice one that big to bite on anything though - fly or hardware. I do have a feeling that James will wind up catching one soon though, as he cheats and uses garden hackle on a circle hook

I also don't have a 3 weight

Ricky - are you specifically talking about the Coppernose Bluegill? I've read about them over on the Pond Boss forum. They sound like a hoot...

Scott

Hey Scott, Here's a post from bubblehide a friend from down south who did some fishing with me,
The one I caught before the one in the picture was a whole lot bigger but it managed to stick it's fin through the skin between my fingers and get away before I could get a shot.
It's funny I bought my sage 3 wt just to fish for Bluegill, Redear, rockbass and other sunfish.
For Southeastern Bluegill I use a six wt  and they give me a run for my money.As far as I know Southeastern Bluegill is their name.
I do have to admit I've caught my biggest gill. in ponds;it's hit and miss in lakes.
I find them sometimes sight fishing along the shore.


http://www.kayaksportfishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7913

Surf Perch are fun on a 7 wt--I don't own a 6 wt and a 5 wt is too light to deal with the surf and T-14 very well. So given those SE BGs are about that shape and size, it sounds like upping the rod weight from 3 won't spoil the fun at all.

You little short furry creatures are just always up for a debate aren't you?
When I'm chasing redear  SEs, or any sunfish for that matter, they are usually in grass beds and while I can handle a good size red ear on my three wt, the grass that can come with them can brake a light rod. I'm waiting for Sage to send back my 3wt with a new tip  for the second time. However you are right my little furry rodent friend it doesn't take the fun out of it to go up to a heavier wt but it sure is fun fighting a good size bluegill on my three wt. Another thing I do is use a full sink line on my 3 wt and go fish open water. So far I've caught slab crappie, assorted sunfish and a three lb bass.

3 wt is what I use, but I got a 7ft one because I originally got it for fishing small creeks in the Sierra backcountry where cast are short and the terrain is brushy. I should get a full 9ft one for longer casts on lake and ponds. One of these days I am going to come up your way and see these guys form myself.