Clicker tension while trolling macks - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

etolentino13 · 06-14-2019, 08:02 AM

Is there a way to add tension to the clicker in free spool so that my live mack isn’t pulling line? I’ve been using an Accurate Tern 400. I possibly lost my first yt from the yak being ill prepared. My reel was in gear with the drag loosened enough to keep tension on the bait. I got picked up but between tightening the drag and trying to clear my other line, it got unbuttoned. Bait came back whole, stiff, no bite marks. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

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FISH11 · 06-14-2019, 09:15 AM

Most of the the time that the line gets hit and there was a very short run and the mac looks crushed but has no teeth or cut mark. It was likely a yellow hitting it from the side a did not actually swallow the mac before letting it go. I have had at least one per trip in the last 4 times at LJ lately. It seems that with all the red crabs they are eating they have not been really committed to taking and swallowing the mac. If you don't have a lever drag reel were you can just add the slightest amount of drag to the clicker, then engage the clicker leave it on free spool and take the line at the reel and wrap it around the back of the reel and rout it under the reel frame. This add an extra amount of friction that will prevent most macs from constantly pulling line. Once you get hit and the clicker is screaming you just reach and pull the line from under the reel frame to it normal position, count to 5 and engage the reel into gear. Hope this helps. Tight lines!

fishnfoool · 06-14-2019, 09:30 AM

Use a rubber band and cinch the rubber band around the line and rod. This will give it more friction.

skrilla · 06-14-2019, 09:49 AM

Yellows will sometimes crush fin bait before coming back around and committing. Let it sink another 30 seconds in next time.

Otherwise with star drags I troll in gear at a lite drag setting. No clicker, it's like a dinner bell for sea lions and an invitation for surrounding anglers.

etolentino13 · 06-14-2019, 03:36 PM

Thanks all for the great tips! Seeing everyone hooking up with all these nice fish lately has got me jonesing to get one... in due time. It’s only gonna get better.

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Iceman · 06-15-2019, 10:45 AM

rubber band is safest bet, I gamble and loop my line back over the handle to add that extra resistance. works for me

stevie951 · 06-16-2019, 02:46 AM

Small Treble hook in the rear tailing the front single hook in the mouth/nose FTW

06-14-2019, 08:02 AM	#1
etolentino13 Junior Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 17	Clicker tension while trolling macks Is there a way to add tension to the clicker in free spool so that my live mack isn’t pulling line? I’ve been using an Accurate Tern 400. I possibly lost my first yt from the yak being ill prepared. My reel was in gear with the drag loosened enough to keep tension on the bait. I got picked up but between tightening the drag and trying to clear my other line, it got unbuttoned. Bait came back whole, stiff, no bite marks. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

06-14-2019, 09:15 AM	#2
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,643	Most of the the time that the line gets hit and there was a very short run and the mac looks crushed but has no teeth or cut mark. It was likely a yellow hitting it from the side a did not actually swallow the mac before letting it go. I have had at least one per trip in the last 4 times at LJ lately. It seems that with all the red crabs they are eating they have not been really committed to taking and swallowing the mac. If you don't have a lever drag reel were you can just add the slightest amount of drag to the clicker, then engage the clicker leave it on free spool and take the line at the reel and wrap it around the back of the reel and rout it under the reel frame. This add an extra amount of friction that will prevent most macs from constantly pulling line. Once you get hit and the clicker is screaming you just reach and pull the line from under the reel frame to it normal position, count to 5 and engage the reel into gear. Hope this helps. Tight lines! __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

06-14-2019, 09:49 AM	#4
skrilla Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 664	Yellows will sometimes crush fin bait before coming back around and committing. Let it sink another 30 seconds in next time. Otherwise with star drags I troll in gear at a lite drag setting. No clicker, it's like a dinner bell for sea lions and an invitation for surrounding anglers. __________________ Urban Camo Trident 13

06-15-2019, 10:45 AM	#6
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	rubber band is safest bet, I gamble and loop my line back over the handle to add that extra resistance. works for me __________________

06-16-2019, 02:46 AM	#7
stevie951 Lurker Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Riverside Posts: 431	Small Treble hook in the rear tailing the front single hook in the mouth/nose FTW __________________ "A Reel expert can Tackle anything " ~Malibu Stealth-14 ~Malibu X-13

06-14-2019, 09:30 AM	#3
fishnfoool Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Long beach Posts: 303	Use a rubber band and cinch the rubber band around the line and rod. This will give it more friction.

06-14-2019, 03:36 PM	#5
etolentino13 Junior Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 17	Thanks all for the great tips! Seeing everyone hooking up with all these nice fish lately has got me jonesing to get one... in due time. It’s only gonna get better. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk