basic thoughts on weight - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

wavyedge · 12-19-2023, 12:43 PM

What is your basic thoughts on the weight of your leadheads. I tend to fish as light as possible. 3/8oz in Mission or Newport, 3/8-1oz in SD Bay or while fishing calicoes. But, I realized today that this comes from fishing regular leadheads and trying to avoid eel grass and rock. That constant worry about losing lead.

But, I almost exclusively fish Warbait heads now. I'm thinking that if I went heavier in general I might do better. Lord knows that all the pics I see on FB of guys catching calicoes are on 3/4-2oz heads.

What ya think?

f'nsabiki · 12-22-2023, 06:22 PM

Go heavy! If you are fishing 60-80" of water and the fish are on the bottom--you waste a ton of time getting your bait to the bottom. The minimum weight I fish is 1 oz usually 1.5 - 2.0. It is a lot more efficient to crank a heavy jig faster than to wait for a 1/2 -3/4 oz to get to the strike zone.ghttp://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/attachment.php?attachmentid=30261&stc=1&d=17032983 78et in http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/a...1&d=1703298378

JohnMckroidJr · 12-24-2023, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f'nsabiki

Go heavy! If you are fishing 60-80" of water and the fish are on the bottom--you waste a ton of time getting your bait to the bottom. The minimum weight I fish is 1 oz usually 1.5 - 2.0. It is a lot more efficient to crank a heavy jig faster than to wait for a 1/2 -3/4 oz to get to the strike zone.ghttp://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/attachment.php?attachmentid=30261&stc=1&d=17032983 78et in http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/a...1&d=1703298378

Nice! Good looking Calicos!

Fish Here · 02-27-2024, 04:19 PM

There is no one right weight to use. Too many factors involved. To be successful you have to put your offering in front of the fish. That can be shallow, over the Kelp, or deep on a Rocky Reef. Sometimes it has to stay there for a while. Adjust accordingly. I carry 1/4 oz to 3 oz, jigheads, a range of sizes from 5 inches to 8 inches, in a rainbow of colors. Adjust size, adjust color, adjust weight until they just suck it down. Then you are in business.

PapaDave · 02-29-2024, 02:11 PM

Depends on conditions for me, like current, wind, drift speed. I usually use 1.5-3oz for my jigs as I like to drift over locations and many of those are deep.

temnhaninox · 04-01-2024, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish Here

There is no one right weight to use. Too many factors involved. To be successful you have to put your offering in front of the fish. That can be shallow, over the Kelp, or deep on a Rocky Reef. Sometimes it has to stay there for a while. Adjust accordingly. I carry 1/4 oz to 3 oz, jigheads, a range of sizes from 5 inches to 8 inches, in a rainbow of colors. Adjust size, adjust color, adjust weight until they just suck it down. Then you are in business.

what's the name of the Fish bro?

JohnMckroidJr · 04-01-2024, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by temnhaninox

what's the name of the Fish bro?

Kelp Bass

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paralabrax_clathratus

Arolissa · 12-17-2024, 05:04 AM

I get what you mean about sticking to lighter weights to avoid losing gear, especially in places with eelgrass or rocks. I’ve been using lighter heads most of the time too, but I’ve found that when fishing deeper or in stronger currents, going a bit heavier really helps. I’ve had better luck with 3/4oz to 1oz heads for calicoes; they stay in place and get down to where the fish are quicker. I guess it’s all about finding that balance for the conditions you’re in, but I think heavier heads could definitely help, especially for bigger fish.

12-19-2023, 12:43 PM	#1
wavyedge Junior Join Date: Dec 2023 Posts: 2	basic thoughts on weight What is your basic thoughts on the weight of your leadheads. I tend to fish as light as possible. 3/8oz in Mission or Newport, 3/8-1oz in SD Bay or while fishing calicoes. But, I realized today that this comes from fishing regular leadheads and trying to avoid eel grass and rock. That constant worry about losing lead. But, I almost exclusively fish Warbait heads now. I'm thinking that if I went heavier in general I might do better. Lord knows that all the pics I see on FB of guys catching calicoes are on 3/4-2oz heads. What ya think?

02-29-2024, 02:11 PM	#5
PapaDave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 1,473	Depends on conditions for me, like current, wind, drift speed. I usually use 1.5-3oz for my jigs as I like to drift over locations and many of those are deep. __________________ So long and thanks for all the fish...

12-17-2024, 05:04 AM	#8
Arolissa Junior Join Date: Dec 2024 Posts: 6	I get what you mean about sticking to lighter weights to avoid losing gear, especially in places with eelgrass or rocks. I’ve been using lighter heads most of the time too, but I’ve found that when fishing deeper or in stronger currents, going a bit heavier really helps. I’ve had better luck with 3/4oz to 1oz heads for calicoes; they stay in place and get down to where the fish are quicker. I guess it’s all about finding that balance for the conditions you’re in, but I think heavier heads could definitely help, especially for bigger fish.