How do you guys have your set ups wrigged when fishing for gills and sunnies??

I use the tiniest bobber I can find, usually a 3/4" or a 1" with no extra weight save for the bait. I'll adjust the tag length based on the bite. This allows for the bait to drift more naturally (in my opinion).

I also use the same setup, but with a weighted bobber, for casting purposes.

I've tried a few slip bobber setups and have found them to be a bit too frustrating!

I have found that the smaller and thinner the stick you can get the better as it indicates small bites better and less drag when taken under, as for weighted bobbers they are great for casting as drrouter said I personally don't like um as usually they are way to big for the fish, and I have an unnatural hatred of slip bobbers when hunting gill cause my bait is never heavy enough to make the line slip lol

Also to the TFF! Glad to have you on board. Looking forward to seeing some of those Sunfish Catches.


I do basically the same thing. I use a small float and I make adjustments accordingly as to bite,current,and depth.

Ok I will go into more depth because that is how I have done it.

I used to use a small foam bright orange bobber with no weight attached to the bobber. I the bobber has weight attached to you you cannot tell if your bait is on the bottom or not. I don't want my bait on the bottom. So you see if the float has a weight attached to it, it will stand up right all the time like it is not on the bottom.
Click this link and see the bobber has lead wrapped around the bottom. These are the ones I do not like.
Click> Weighted Bobber

YOu can get these bobbers at Walmart without the lead and they work well. They look like this.



Now I have changed tactics. This year I have been using a Balsa Spring stick float. The idea is the fish feels less resistance and the bigger ones are more likely to bite. So far I love them. One thing is if the stick floats up on its side during a bite you know it's a pick up bite. Here they are.

Click> Balsa Stick Float

Oh and welcome to the forum

I use these:

Look into the Gapen panfish float. With the right UL rig you can cast it a good distance with no added weight, and it takes very little pull from a bluegill to take it under. I fish it on six-pound test with no added weight when fishing with red wigglers, or a single BB split shot about a foot above the bait when using crickets.

what are those?

is that a slip float? ive never used one and dont know how they work. i always use a skinny balsa bobber and a split shot. i fear that the UL rod i bought is a lil too whippy to give me the range i want so i am looking for some rigs that will work with that.

i would think more restitance would lead to a better hookset...

also what hooks do you guys use. im using really small cricket hooks. cant remember what size...

I don't fish for Sunnies but love reading the post about em. As far as I can see the Ultra Lights really work good in close quarters fishing such as on creeks,boat slips, or any place where there is limited casting space. As for the floats I always use a slip float. You can easily adjust the bead for the proper depth. I know several anglers who post here that use regular floats and they nail em also. Good luck and Welcome aboard.

also is 2 lb test too small? it breaks so easily...

2lb test is small but id bet very fun lol, most here use 4-6, also less resistance is good because if there isto much a gill will drop the bait pretty quickly lol

It can be used as a slip float, though when I'm slip-float fishing I prefer a center slider that runs the line through the body of the float. I use the Gapen float as a fixed float; it has a small plastic sleeve that holds the line and keeps the float in place. It doesn't damage the line as much as a spring-bobber will, and is also quicker to adjust to a new depth.

You want as little resistance as possible when a fish bites because larger fish will usually be spooked by significant resistance, meaning they swim away and never take the bait. Sometimes even smaller bluegill will shy from resistance. And more resistance from the bobber would actually hurt the hookset because it's more of an interruption of the hookset pull by the angler. But the biggest reason to use a sensitive float is simply to get more bites, and better bites where the fish take the bait without hesitation.