I just picked up a 9' rod for bank casting in a new spot I found. My 7' poles just aren't getting the bait out, and the successful anglers I've seen out there are all running 9'+. My question is, how does one rig live bluegill so that it can withstand a lengthy cast and not fly off the hook? I presently hook my live bait either through both lips, or just above the spine (#5 offset circle hook, heavy braided line, picked up 1oz sinkers for the new 9' pole). Thanks in advance for any advice!!

The best way is to balloon it out, not unless you are going to use some small live bluegill with small hooks.

I don't bank fish but I would think for longer casts the perch should be behind the dorsal fin, also I would think a 1oz weight would be too light and maybe a 2 or 3 oz weight would be better, as far as the rig choice I have always gotten better casting distance using a three way rig, I never tried the balloon rig but I know some that have used it with good results, as I mentioned I don't fish from the bank so I am just throwing out my thoughts, hopefully some of the experienced bank anglers will give some good advice

Try running hook through the mouth, out the gill, then hook behind dorsal.

Imo... Cut bluegill from the bank is the ticket especially for longer cast plus less drag from smaller bait pieces!? That's what works for me 2oz weight most of the time for me

Thanks for the feedback! Just got done reading an article on butterflying one side of a live bluegill and hooking that "flap" through the eyes to connect, and using a 2oz. weight, like Ledeez mentioned. I'll try it out this Saturday (weather permitting). Thanks for the advice fellas!!

You definitely gave me something to consider! On a side note, I LOVE Team Catfish hooks!! They're not only my go-to, but they're also all I use. Thanks for the response!!

Check out Muddy River Catfishing on youtube. He uses a double hook type rig and seems to keep his bait on pretty well

Another thing to consider is casting technique. I've thrown enough minnows off to fill a 50 gallon drum. I'm not all that qualified to offer casting advice, but maybe someone out there can chime in.

Ballooning I guess works with the wind at your back. With the wind in your face it would not but "slide-baiting" would. No I have not done this, but it looks interesting for any excessively large bait.

http://slidebaitfishing.com/aboutus.sc

And more on this-
http://www.angelfire.com/sports/huntfishmaui/fishingstyle.html

You can hook them through the eyes. Not just straight through the middle, but you can hook them between the eye and top of head, hook goes through eye socket, through membranes and out the other eye. Done right the bait will stay alive and lively and you wont sling them off. You need to make sure and use a hook with a decent sized barb or it come out easily.

this!!!

Havent tried this before, but it's going to happen on my next fishing trip! Much appreciated!!

That's some high-speed sh*t right there! Thanks for the links!!

I don't have a boat yet so I have had the same issue. I ended up getting a 10ft surf rod with a big spinning reel. I use 7/0 circle hooks offset with a 3oz no-roll Carolina style for this rod. 65lb braid then a swivel, 4ft of 40lb mono and Snell the hook. For live bluegill I either go through the nostrils on bigger ones or if a little small I go from the underside of one eye to the upper part of the socket on the other eye. This keeps your bait from foul hooking itself by flipping around into the gap. For large shad chunks keep your cuts straight and hook about a half to 3/4 of an inch under the spine in the thickest part of the back. Leave lots of hook exposed. In any case make sure there are no scales on the tip of the hook.