got destroyed at LJ 2/15 - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

pingpangdang · 02-15-2016, 09:49 PM

My reel (okuma trio 55) which I used to catch suzuki size Japanese sea bass while living in Japan for a few years didn't last but a few hours in the water. My graphite rod that could handle some suzuki sized sea bass was no better than a fisher price barbie pole today.

The plan was to save up for a quality rod and real and hope the trio could at least pull in a small YT while waiting for a big purchase instead of buying discounted junk.

Dropped a big green back to the bottom. It was calm for the first few seconds then the tip started to get eratic then boom.

Couldn't turn the fish w/ the junk rod. It felt like a ton and would pull drag if I began to make any headway. My rod was making all kinds of cracking noises and any more pressure it definitely would have snapped. Not enough backbone to get it off the bottom where it seemed to like hanging out. No kelp on the FF and w/ the short runs back to the bottom it was something big.

Since the rod was not helping at all I figured I could muscle crank it. Got a few good turns and when it seemed like progress was made it would go screech back down all the while feeling like a ton.

Muscle cranked some more then bam my reel snapped from the rod. Bent the screws and broke the aluminum posts the screws went through. I tried to keep reeling but couldn't via the handle because it was now bent. Started to just twist the top manually with my hand to take in line with the barbie pole rod end lodged under my hammy and the rod on my quad. Then my rod guide busted and soon after that it was over.

I have pics of the reel and have not read how to upload them yet.

Breaking a reel this way is a first for me. If I had a proper rod the reel might not have cracked like this but it probably would of destroyed the guts of the reel anyways.

TheBoyScout · 02-15-2016, 09:53 PM

At least you got some action! Haha
I was out there with a buddy and saw no action of any kind. Sorry about your gear tho

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ful-rac · 02-15-2016, 09:54 PM

That'll teach ya!

Deamon · 02-15-2016, 10:14 PM

Lobster trap! Lol

YOYOYaker · 02-15-2016, 10:45 PM

Sounds like it might have been a black seabass. They usually want to stay right near the bottom, coming to the surface only after going into stress and floating up, after a slow, but powerful fight.

pingpangdang · 02-15-2016, 10:48 PM

I've done some rock fishing in the past and got hung on both lobster trap lines and heavy kelp. Those two will bend your rod with the rise of a wave and even take drag but just for the rise. Predictable and rhytmic with wave action. Can always do the slack line test as well. This thing felt like a heavy ray. I've never landed a bsb...not sure how those fight.

pingpangdang · 02-15-2016, 10:53 PM

I've done some rock fishing in the past and got hung on both lobster trap lines and heavy kelp. Those two will bend your rod with the rise of a wave and even take drag but just for the rise. Predictable and rhytmic with wave action. Can always do the slack line test as well. This thing felt like a heavy ray. I've never landed a bsb...not sure how those fight.

Mr. NiceGuy · 02-16-2016, 02:20 AM

Okuma Trio ... isn't that a medium weight spinning reel?

I looked up suzuki size Japanese sea bass --- they look equivalent to catching corvina in the bays. Okuma Trio should have been good for that with 12# line.

Sounds like it could have also served as your sabiki pole.

Now you have a good excuse to upgrade to the equipment you need.

Getting a new pole and reel always feels good :-)

maquinapescado · 02-16-2016, 07:38 AM

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/penn--...FY-DaQodiPUEvQ

Just get one. I can guarantee that set up has caught more YT in SoCal than you'll ever see in you life. Good ole jig master

Phishphood · 02-16-2016, 08:17 PM

Sounds like my hookup with a bsb last week.

stoned-trout · 02-18-2016, 11:19 AM

the fish won that round....

fresh to salt · 02-18-2016, 03:25 PM

I never really used my Penn 500 until this past season but it has become my main workhorse! I fell in love with this thing last year landing yt, plenty of dodos and some football yellowfin. That thing can take a beating and will never stop! On the troll, flyline, or dropper loop... I even landed my first kayak yt in La Jolla a couple weeks ago with that reel! Good luck and tight lines!

TJones · 02-18-2016, 04:30 PM

Ping pang dang

pingpangdang · 02-18-2016, 08:28 PM

Thx all for the feedback.

02-15-2016, 09:49 PM	#1
pingpangdang Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 228	got destroyed at LJ 2/15 My reel (okuma trio 55) which I used to catch suzuki size Japanese sea bass while living in Japan for a few years didn't last but a few hours in the water. My graphite rod that could handle some suzuki sized sea bass was no better than a fisher price barbie pole today. The plan was to save up for a quality rod and real and hope the trio could at least pull in a small YT while waiting for a big purchase instead of buying discounted junk. Dropped a big green back to the bottom. It was calm for the first few seconds then the tip started to get eratic then boom. Couldn't turn the fish w/ the junk rod. It felt like a ton and would pull drag if I began to make any headway. My rod was making all kinds of cracking noises and any more pressure it definitely would have snapped. Not enough backbone to get it off the bottom where it seemed to like hanging out. No kelp on the FF and w/ the short runs back to the bottom it was something big. Since the rod was not helping at all I figured I could muscle crank it. Got a few good turns and when it seemed like progress was made it would go screech back down all the while feeling like a ton. Muscle cranked some more then bam my reel snapped from the rod. Bent the screws and broke the aluminum posts the screws went through. I tried to keep reeling but couldn't via the handle because it was now bent. Started to just twist the top manually with my hand to take in line with the barbie pole rod end lodged under my hammy and the rod on my quad. Then my rod guide busted and soon after that it was over. I have pics of the reel and have not read how to upload them yet. Breaking a reel this way is a first for me. If I had a proper rod the reel might not have cracked like this but it probably would of destroyed the guts of the reel anyways.

02-15-2016, 09:54 PM	#3
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	That'll teach ya! __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

02-15-2016, 10:14 PM	#4
Deamon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,972	Lobster trap! Lol __________________ Recreational Fisherman's Catch...2% Commercial Fisherman's Catch- 98% Recreational Fishing Kayakers Catch- .00001% "The reality is that the wall was built to keep all Asians ~specifically Japanese and those that think they're japanese~ out of the U.S"

02-16-2016, 02:20 AM	#8
Mr. NiceGuy Manic for Life Join Date: May 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 839	Okuma Trio ... isn't that a medium weight spinning reel? I looked up suzuki size Japanese sea bass --- they look equivalent to catching corvina in the bays. Okuma Trio should have been good for that with 12# line. Sounds like it could have also served as your sabiki pole. Now you have a good excuse to upgrade to the equipment you need. Getting a new pole and reel always feels good :-) __________________ Another ho-hum day in Paradise Last edited by Mr. NiceGuy; 02-16-2016 at 02:38 AM.

02-16-2016, 07:38 AM	#9
maquinapescado Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 326	http://www.westmarine.com/buy/penn--...FY-DaQodiPUEvQ Just get one. I can guarantee that set up has caught more YT in SoCal than you'll ever see in you life. Good ole jig master __________________ Climb, Surf, Fish, Repeat

02-15-2016, 09:53 PM	#2
TheBoyScout Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Oceanside Posts: 115	At least you got some action! Haha I was out there with a buddy and saw no action of any kind. Sorry about your gear tho Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

02-15-2016, 10:45 PM	#5
YOYOYaker Junior Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: San Marcos, CA Posts: 28	Sounds like it might have been a black seabass. They usually want to stay right near the bottom, coming to the surface only after going into stress and floating up, after a slow, but powerful fight.

02-15-2016, 10:48 PM	#6
pingpangdang Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 228	I've done some rock fishing in the past and got hung on both lobster trap lines and heavy kelp. Those two will bend your rod with the rise of a wave and even take drag but just for the rise. Predictable and rhytmic with wave action. Can always do the slack line test as well. This thing felt like a heavy ray. I've never landed a bsb...not sure how those fight.

02-15-2016, 10:53 PM	#7
pingpangdang Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 228	I've done some rock fishing in the past and got hung on both lobster trap lines and heavy kelp. Those two will bend your rod with the rise of a wave and even take drag but just for the rise. Predictable and rhytmic with wave action. Can always do the slack line test as well. This thing felt like a heavy ray. I've never landed a bsb...not sure how those fight.

02-16-2016, 08:17 PM	#10
Phishphood Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 346	Sounds like my hookup with a bsb last week.

02-18-2016, 11:19 AM	#11
stoned-trout Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: sandiego Posts: 52	the fish won that round.... __________________

02-18-2016, 03:25 PM	#12
fresh to salt Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 53	I never really used my Penn 500 until this past season but it has become my main workhorse! I fell in love with this thing last year landing yt, plenty of dodos and some football yellowfin. That thing can take a beating and will never stop! On the troll, flyline, or dropper loop... I even landed my first kayak yt in La Jolla a couple weeks ago with that reel! Good luck and tight lines!

02-18-2016, 04:30 PM	#13
TJones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,526	Next time Ping pang dang

02-18-2016, 08:28 PM	#14
pingpangdang Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 228	Thx all for the feedback.