Bluegill and Sunfish gear

Quick setup

Rod	Reel	Line
Light or ultralight spinning rod. A telescoping cane pole is great for kids.	Small spinning or spincast reel.	4 to 8 lb monofilament. Thin 4 lb line draws more bites from big, wary bluegill.

Rod, reel and line

Rod: Light or ultralight spinning rod. A telescoping cane pole is great for kids.
Reel: Small spinning or spincast reel.
Line: 4 to 8 lb monofilament. Thin 4 lb line draws more bites from big, wary bluegill.

Baits

small worms
waxworms
crickets and grasshoppers
leeches
grubs

Lures

1/32 oz jigs
small spinners
small poppers
flies

Rigs

Small pencil-style bobber, split shot about a foot above a size 6 to 10 long-shank hook, and a small bait hanging nearly still.

Tips

Fish slowly near weeds, docks and brush. If nothing bites in 5 to 10 minutes, move. Spring nests sit in shallow water; in summer bigger fish go to 6 to 15 feet. Morning and evening are usually best.
Fly fishing: Poppers, rubber spiders, ants and other small insect patterns, best in spring and early summer.

Starter setup

A 5.5 to 7 foot light to medium-light spinning or spincast rod and matching reel, spooled with 6 lb monofilament. Spincast is easiest for beginners, and a 4 to 5 foot rod suits small kids. Carry size 6 to 10 hooks, a few split shot (pinched on 4 to 8 inches above the hook), small bobbers, a couple of small spinners and jigs, and worms. Learn the improved clinch knot and the palomar knot.

Light line casts farther and draws more strikes. Heavier line and stiffer rods are for bigger fish, heavy cover or sharp teeth, not for everyday fishing.

When to size up

Fish	Gear
Walleye, bass, saugeye, hybrid striped bass	medium rod, 8 to 12 lb line, 6 to 7.5 feet
Channel catfish	medium-heavy rod, 10 to 20 lb line
Northern pike	medium-heavy rod, 15 lb or heavier braid, steel or heavy fluorocarbon (40 lb+) leader
Muskellunge	heavy 7 to 9 foot rod, 50 to 80 lb braid, heavy leader
Trolling for lake trout and salmon	8.5 to 10.5 foot trolling rods, 15 lb mono or 30 lb braid, level-wind reels
Steelhead	8 to 10 foot or longer rods, 6 to 10 lb line
Lake sturgeon	heavy rod, 50 to 100 lb braid