Best Flies for Bluegill

Bluegill are one of the most commonly targeted freshwater fish. They are enjoyable to catch for anglers of all ages. But many fly fishers don’t know the proper fly patterns to use to catch them. Whether you’re fishing for bream, sunfish, or other panfish, you need to make sure your fly is small enough for these smaller than average fish. Here we will cover some of the best flies to use for bluegill and other panfish

Best Flies for Fishing Bluegill 

  1. FISHINGSIR 120PCS Fly Fishing Flies Set
  2. South Bend Assorted Poppers, 3-Pack
  3. Piscifun 12pcs Fly Fishing Flies Kit
  4. Ventures Fly Co. | Baker’s Dozen Pack
  5. Piscifun 40pcs Wet Flies Fly Fishing Lures

1. FISHINGSIR 120PCS Fly Fishing Flies Set

 

Product Features

Brand Name: FishingSir
Fly Types: Dry Flies, Wet Flies, Streamers, Nymphs, Emergers
Quantity: 64, 100, or 120 Piece Set

The top spot on our list belongs to the FishingSir Fly Fishing Lures Kit. In this offer, they have 3 different options: a 64 piece, 100 piece, or 120 piece set. In the 120 piece set, you get 45 dry flies, 45 wet flies, 10 streamers, 15 nymphs, and 5 emergers, making it the perfect fly kit for bluegill and other fish.

The set includes classic patterns such as woolly buggers, caddis flies, egg flies, gnat patterns, and more. With a huge variety of color options to choose from, you have a fly for every fishing situation.

Most of the hook sizes in these sets range from #10 to #16. More often than not you will probably be using the #10 size for smaller fish like bluegill. The set also includes a waterproof carrying case, which makes this an awesome gift for any fishing lover.

Pros
  • Variety pack includes many colors, sizes, and patterns
  • Excellent value
  • Multiple hook sizes ranging from #10 to #16 for targeting a variety of species
Cons
  • You may be looking for a specific kind of fly over a kit like this

 

2. South Bend Assorted Poppers, 3-Pack

 

Product Features

Brand Name: South Bend
Fly Types: Dry Flies
Quantity: 3 Pack or 6 Pack

Popper flies are hands down one of the best fly patterns for bluegill and the South Bend Assorted Popper Sets are our recommendation if you’re after a good popper. In this set, you can choose from either a 3 pack or 6 pack.

You get a variety of different color popper flies all with hook sizes around #10 to #12. The hooks are sharp, and these things really do catch fish. The only drawback is that these are a little crudely painted. They don’t look the prettiest, but the important thing is—they catch fish.

Pros
  • Variety of colors
  • Sharp hooks
  • Good price
Cons
  • They look somewhat cheap, but they catch fish

 

3. Piscifun 12pcs Fly Fishing Flies Kit

 

Product Features

Brand Name: Piscifun
Fly Types: Dry Flies
Quantity: 12 Pack

If you’re after big bluegill the Piscifun 12 Piece Floating Dry Fly Kit is an excellent choice. In this set, you get 12 different colors of dry flies that each measure about .79 inches and weigh .1 grams. The bright colored patterns are sure to get the attention of any panfish in the area.

Overall this is an excellent set. The hooks are sharp and when these things float across the water they get bites.

Pros
  • Excellent floating flies
  • Great value for a 12 piece set
  • Variety of colors
Cons
  • You may prefer wet flies over dry flies

 

4. Ventures Fly Co. | Baker’s Dozen Pack

 

Product Features

Brand Name: Ventures Fly Co.
Fly Types: Streamers
Quantity: 13 Pack

Streamers are great when you’re fishing bigger bluegill and sunfish. The Ventures Fly Co. Bakers Dozen Fly Set is an excellent choice. In this set, you get 13 premium flies with a waterproof carrying cup. Just make sure to pay attention to the set you are buying since they have so many different styles.

The woolly bugger set is ideal for bluegill because it has the smaller size 8 flies that you need. Most of their other options are too large and not recommended. Overall though this is still an excellent choice

Pros
  • High quality premium flies
  • Variety of colors
  • Includes water proof carrying cup
Cons
  • Most of their sets are too large for panfish, stick with the woolly bugger option

 

5. Piscifun 40pcs Wet Flies Fly Fishing Lures

 

Product Features

Brand Name: Piscifun
Fly Types: Sinking Wet Flies
Quantity: 40 Pack

The final spot on our list goes once again to Piscifun with their 40 Piece Wet Fly Fishing Kit. In this kit, you get 40 different flies, 5 of each color, with a storage/carrying box. The vivid colors will definitely get the attention of any fish as they flow through the water. The size #10 hooks are perfect for bluegill. With 40 flies in this set, this is an excellent choice.

Pros
  • 40 Piece Set
  • Variety of color options
  • Includes carrying case
Cons
  • You may prefer a different pattern

 

Best Fly Patterns for Bluegill

There are a number of patterns that work great for targeting bluegill and other panfish

  1. Poppers
  2. Woolly Buggers
  3. Grasshoppers/Crickets
  4. Worm Flies

Poppers

Poppers are known as one of the most effective for bluegill. You can use a popper or floating fly. Try fishing them near cover in shallow waters to get the bluegill biting. Plop your fly into the water and give it a few twitches to draw the fish out.

Woolly Buggers

The tried and true pattern, woolly buggers are great at getting panfish to strike. These are made to be fished under the water’s surfaces and work best when the bluegill are holding in waters about 4 to 10 feet deep. This usually happens when the water is a little bit warmer.

Grasshopper or Cricket Imitations

In clear waters, a cricket or grasshopper imitation fly is a killer. In clear waters, the panfish tend to get spooked easily, so a lightweight surface fly won’t scare them away. Cast them out and let them hop across the surface naturally.

Worm Flies

These work great when the bluegill are near the bottom. You can suspend them down to where the fish are holding and work them so they have a natural presentation. If the fish are deep enough you may want a split shot to help your worm stay suspended.

What Size Flies for Bluegill?

Remember that bluegills are small so you need to use the appropriate size for your flies. Size 8 to 12 tends to work depending on what kind of fly you are using. It never hurts to bring a few sizes so you can adjust on the fly, but usually you will end up sticking around the size 10 to 12 range.

Conclusion

There are many different kinds of flies that will work well if you fish them correctly. Just make sure whatever fly you use ends up being something the bluegill are already eating in the waters you are fishing.

Alternatively, you may also consider tying your own panfish flies. If you’re already experienced with fly tying, that may be a good option to look into. You can check out this resource to learn tying a killer fly for bluegill.

Lastly, you will want to make sure you have a good panfish fly rod to maximize your success.

Read our full guide on fly fishing for bluegill.