Slaying Bluegill, Crappie and Bass with a Budget Fly Rod (Fly Fishing for Panfish and Bass on Beds)

[@clipperguysays]

So much fun. I generally use a 3wt for bluegill and have a blast. THX for sharing this.

[@BackroadsAngling]

A 3 wt is my favorite for bluegills as well. I love trying to snipe them from long range while they are sitting on a bed. Thanks for watching!

[@Kamharam]

Those bluegill were insane. Really killed it.

[@BackroadsAngling]

Yes and they are a blast to catch on a fly rod! Thanks!

[@SluSharkND]

Well, you sold me again. I went right to the $30 combo and hit "buy now". I have bought quite a few things you've used and I have yet to be disappointed. I realize a $100-$150 rod will be better than the $30 unit, but to me that's a lot of money to find out if i don't like doing it. I like using cheaper stuff sometimes, then I'm more inclined to risk things. For example, the real whopper plopper is better than the cheaper ones you listed (but not by much), but I'm less worried about losing the cheaper ones so i fish harder. I guarantee I'll do the same trying out the fly rod. Thanks for your reviews and content, it keeps me motivated to try new things!

[@BackroadsAngling]

I hope you enjoy the rod! I do think it is a bit harder to cast than a nicer one but you will get the hang of it! Make sure you get some bead head wooly buggers to go with it. Just about any fish will eat WBs. Largemouth/Smallmouth, panfish, catfish, maybe even a hungry pike. Thank you!

[@MayheM_72]

My 1st fly setup was a Pfleuger 5/6wt combo I got at Dick's about 20 years ago for about $20-30. 3 piece rod, simple reel, all the line, and a few flies, and I still have it today! My only other fly combo is a Wright & McGill 3/4wt rod I got from my Dad's best friend in 2020, and I got a MaxCatch Eco reel and all the line for it that Christmas. My Dad's friend passed away in 2021, and my Dad passed away in 2022, so I will NEVER get rid of that rod! Most of my fly fishing is for small bass and panfish, since the only trout in my area (southern NJ) are stocked rainbows in a couple ponds. Since I also fish saltwater, I'm considering getting a 7/8wt with a sinking line for bluefish, schoolie stripers, weakfish, etc.

[@BackroadsAngling]

Sounds like that rod has some serious sentimental value. Just keep it away from car doors and don't boat flip any big fish! Thanks for sharing!

[@Charsept]

That was the first combo I started on. It was stiff and heavy but got me into the sport so I have to thank it for that. I have nice gear now, in a ton of different weights. Fly fishing really is the most fun way to fish IMO.

[@BackroadsAngling]

It's not a custom made RL Winston but it is definitely functional. I think the high cost of some of the equipment probably discourages some people from trying fly fishing. A combo like this is a nice way to get the feel for fly fishing before you make the jump to the good stuff. I agree, there is something special about fly fishing. Thanks!

[@JakePridgeon]

@@BackroadsAnglingI can tell you from my experience fly fishing is very scary looking at the beginning. I ended up with a cheap caddis creek rod from Walmart for the 1st year. Now I’m upgrading to an orvis encounter for my 2nd year of fly fishing. KZbin and fly fishing podcast make it seem very scary because everyone running is 500 plus set ups.

[@darrelbaillie7829]

I bought one last year from Amazon, a Martin fly rod combo for around $30. Still have it and not sorry at all. Although expensive fly rods and reels are cool and have better action and quality, I generally don't spend excessive amounts of money on fishing gear. Some of the cheapies work just as well. Looks like you had great fun.

[@BackroadsAngling]

Yes, it works especially if you don't feel like spending a bunch on a high end rod. I find it a bit harder to cast than the pricier rods and it feels a bit stiff for my liking but it will get the job done.

[@jorgen.zamora]

I loved this video. I'm sorry to know about your dad's passing. Please make some more videos with the Martin combo! I have one and I like seeing other people catching on the same kit. cheers!

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, it's fishing trips like these that bring back my dad's memory. I will use the Martin fly rod in the future for sure. Thanks!

[@panfishin-fool8057]

It was meant for me to watch this video for 2 reasons 1st being I've been leaning to the flylife for about a year now and 2nd I too was taught how to fish from my dad that just passed 2wks ago. I got a chance to fish with him one last time the morning he passed away so I'll be forever grateful and he'll be forever missed. Netflix has a new movie called " mending the line" that I highly recommend all fishermen to watch👌🏾🎣.

[@BackroadsAngling]

Yes it was meant to be. I'm glad you got a chance to fish with your dad just before he passed. That's one of the main reasons I fish is to feel closer to my dad. I'll have to check out the documentary. It sounds great. Thank you!

[@Bobby-Love]

As a retired for hire musician I started with a cheap combo similar to the setup you are using. Still use it weekly. Have a more expensive rod and reel. The low cost rod is still my favorite. As I was learning 2 years ago watching videos and talking at sporting goods outfits, a certain snobbery in fly fishing arose and nearly turned me away. I wanted to try and ordered "cost effective". I intend to stick with fly fishing but I plan to stick with the lower cost equipment. I don't see myself spending over 100.00 on a rod. Thx for your videos.

[@BackroadsAngling]

You're right, sometimes the low cost stuff can be pretty useful. There is a lot of very expensive equipment out there these days but I like to think that it's not necessary to catch a bunch of fish!

[@Bobby-Love]

@@BackroadsAngling agreed. There are guitars in the thousands of dollars. I made a good living with low cost musical equipment.

[@BackroadsAngling]

@@Bobby-Love The first guitar I ever bought was a Yamaha FG735S. I still like the way it sounds even though it's a very cheap guitar.

[@Bobby-Love]

@@BackroadsAngling it was the "cheap stuff" that lead us to the sounds we love today. My main stage and recording rig is a 1986 Marshall JCM 800 and an oddball Kustom 4x12 cabinet. I am hoping to find experimental room in fishing. Your guitar has an iconic sound. Don't part with it.

[@DpuckFishingandOutdoors]

That first bluegill had a noggin like Megamind. I love those dark crappie!

[@BackroadsAngling]

Haha. That guy was probably the king of the bedding area with a forehead like that. I had to get a few spawning crappie before the season was over. I wanted to be like Dpuck!

[@kurtc6302]

Truly enjoyed your video

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks!

[@EngineeringHooksets]

Toad gills man! Best tasting midwest fish IMO

[@BackroadsAngling]

They are good eating for sure! This pond is catch and release though. That might be why they are able to get so big. Thank you!

[@slabslayers]

New sub here. Awesome stuff! love catching panfish most but never on a fly rod, nice!

[@BackroadsAngling]

The fly rod can be really deadly when the panfish are in really shallow water. Thanks!

[@darrelbaillie7829]

I have got the exact combo that you have. Nothing wrong with it

[@BackroadsAngling]

Yes it's functional.

[@Leon-lp9fl]

Like your bike. Suppose the best time all over is early mornings and when the sun set which take longer over there I think? The rod combination seems a real bargain. Plenty variety takes to the fly quick, must be hungry. Do you have braid up front? Have a fly fish rod,reel , flies etc. but never tried it out, if ever,, so like watching a master at play! Thank you

[@BackroadsAngling]

The fat tire bike is fun and gets me to some hard to reach fishing spots. It has been very hot here lately so the fish are mostly biting early morning or late at night. These fish are searching for bugs and aquatic insects so the fly presentation is perfect and they don't hesitate to eat it! I am using a tapered flouro leader. It is tied to the end of the weighted orange casting line. The fly rod can be a blast if you use it in the right situations! Thank you!

[@thuykieumientay4657]

Điểm câu cá thật là tuyệt 👍👍👍👍👍🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟chúc bạn vui vẻ

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thank you!

[@kombat520channel7]

What kinda files do you use catching bluegill

[@BackroadsAngling]

Woolly buggers for the bigger ones. Nymphs for the smaller ones. Or caddis, flying ants, beetles, etc. if you want to catch them on the surface.

[@kombat520channel7]

Thanks I'm just a beginner on fly fishing.

[@Donny_Juanny]

What size woolly bugger were you using?

[@BackroadsAngling]

I believe it was a size 6 long shank hook.

[@OutdoorswithVic]

I have the exact same rod and reel is there a drag for it I don't think there is?

[@BackroadsAngling]

You make a good point. If you fight a fish against the reel there is maybe slight resistance but really not enough to slow a good fish down. I usually don't fight the fish against the reel unless it is pretty big so I don't notice it too much. But that is one weird thing about this reel that isn't great.

[@OutdoorswithVic]

@@BackroadsAngling yea not that I need it ig buy if I ever hook into a 4 5lb trout would be nice to have never seen a reel without drag o well thanks

[@Jhobb13]

It would be cool to see you catch a big wiper on the fly! Also, do you fly fish for trout?

[@BackroadsAngling]

I think it is going to happen. I have some clouser minnows (white and yellow) and a few spots where I think I might be able to find the wipers schooling later this summer. I do fly fish for trout but I have to drive a few hours to get to good trout streams. I don't get to fish for trout that often (1-2 times a year).

[@johnbuhrman9799]

do like to see someone pick it up an lay it down. nice fushin

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks!

[@frankcampbell6107]

I Have a 8ft 6inch 3 weight fly rod. i like the extra length get the sunfish up to the surface and drag across the surface weeds surrounding many lakes and ponds. The rarity of the longer 3 weights has convinced me that the more common 9ft 4 weights may be ideal for sunfish still light enough to get a good fight, yet abundant enough to get a good choice of brands and quality. Many fish too big of a bait. A size 12 hook is ideal for sunfish, 10 and 8 sizes work well as well perhaps selecting for bigger aggressive fish. Many an old pan fisherman combined a 9ft fly rod and spinning or spin casting reel for the extra length before crappie rods were marketed and the extra length allows for better recovery of slack line in windy and for float fishing situations. Spin and fly fishing fish the smaller baits when possible, Ice jigs and panfish plastics are great, hand tied 1/124 to 1/64 oz jigs are also great. Great panfish Jig recipes included. Hare’s ear, Red Tag, & Pheasant tail Nymphs kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIazaqSipLx-j9E

[@BackroadsAngling]

Thanks, good info!

[@texaspunisher8594]

Are you from Iowa

[@BackroadsAngling]

Yes

[@texaspunisher8594]

@@BackroadsAngling I knew it