Summer 2024
By Jimmy Jacobs
A lot of Peach State anglers started off their fishing careers tossing red wigglers under a cork to catch bluegill. Those feisty panfish seem always to be hungry and abundant in most of our state’s waters.
Photo by Polly Dean.
Eventually, most fishermen move on to chasing bass or other more glamorous species, leaving the bream behind. Or, if they do continue to target bluegill it is with a fly rod, since these fish readily bust the surface to grab popping bugs. Of course, fly fishers are a distinct minority of Georgia’s angling public.
During the progression described, fishermen too often overlook another option. It is quite practical to target bluegill using ultralight spinning rigs by casting small artificial baits. When it comes to that type angling, there’s no better way to prepare than loading your tackle box with Roadrunner lures from TTI-Blakemore Fishing Group.
The company is probably best known for producing excellent jig heads and marabou jigs for targeting crappie. The first Roadrunners were manufactured in Branson, Missouri back in 1959. Since then, the offerings of the company have steadily expanded. Among those are some models specifically for bluegill, along with others that were originated for trout or crappie, but also work well on bream.
What all the lures have in common is the “under-spin.” That’s a metallic blade that is attached tothe weighed head of the lure. The lures run with the hook facing up and this blade fluttering beneath the body of the lure.
On the left is the Natural Science Trout and Panfish Roadrunner. To the right is the Original Marabou Roadrunner. Photo courtesy of TTI-Blakemore Fishing Group.
Two of the Roadrunner models that are perfect for targeting bluegill are the Original Marabou Roadrunner and the Natural Science Trout and Panfish Roadrunner. The former of these features a dubbed body with a feathery marabou tail section. Those are available in 15 different color schemes, to complement its oval-shaped under-spin.
The latter Natural Science model has a plastic trailer and a more elongated leaf-like blade. This one comes in 10 different color patterns.
Both the Original and Natural Science Roadrunners come in 1/16th-ounce sizes.
If you want to target bluegill, but get too antsy when you have to sit still and watch a bobber on the water, combining a Roadrunner with ultralight tackle can be just your ticket. For more information on these lures or any of the other TTI-Blakemore offerings, visit their website.
Jimmy Jacobs is the editor of Georgia Outdoor Adventures, as well as being editor/publisher of On The Fly South. He also is a member of the Georgia Outdoor Writers Association. He makes his home in Marietta with his English setters, Luke and Lulu. He can be contacted at jimmyjacobs@mindspring.com.