Need some help prepping for 2.5 day mothership trip! - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

AZYakNewb · 01-12-2011, 07:37 AM

HELP!!! I am signed up for the 2.5 day trip to the SC islands in June and need some help with prepping my gear and yak for the trip. I have fished the bays for spotties, and the like, but have yet to venture into "deep water"! I spend most of my time "bucket mouth" fishing at home in AZ. I have done some Redfish/Sea Trout fishing in FL and have the following I was planning on bringing:

1. St. Croix 7'6" Extra Heavy/Fast Action with a Penn 320 GTi spooled with 40lb Mono

2. Inshore Extreme 7'6" Medium Heavy/Fast Action with a Quantum PT Catalyst (low profile baitcast) spooled with 16lb mono

3. Quantum PT Energy 7'11" Medium Heavy/Moderate Action with a Daiwa Luna 253 (round baitcat) spooled with 60lb braid and a 20lb Fluorocarbon leader

4. Custom Spinning Rod 6'6" Medium/Moderate Action with Shimano Stella spooled with 12lb mono

I also figured I'd bring 2 spottie set-ups for the shore line of the island,as I hear the bass fishing is epic.

The kayak is a Malibu X-Factor with the basics, and besides adding a VHF handheld in case I get in trouble, what else do I need (compass, emergency gear - again, got the basics, etc. )

Thanks!

Iceman · 01-12-2011, 10:31 AM

you are good to go with the line class/rods/reels super clean water, bring some flouro leader in 20-30-40 for fishing live bait. Hooks #2,2/0,4/0 sardine, mackerel,squid).......plastics and surface/yoyo iron

wade · 01-12-2011, 10:43 AM

MC Slugs/calicos
&

A Sumo JR iron with a glow back;/

Charge up the glow too on the boats lights
as soon as u get off, in the wee mornin' hours, fire off one of those...

AZYakNewb · 01-12-2011, 01:53 PM

Gents, AWESOME! thanks for the info and tips... really glad my gear will work as adding another set-up to the "wall of addiction" would probably get me divorced!

Forgot to mention that I will be in the SD area in March and would love to make an LJ run if anyone feels like breaking in a rookie. I am also headed to Hawaii in APR for work and thought I'd take a crack at it there as well. Does anyone know a good place to rent a yak and ply the waters out there?

mtnbykr2 · 01-12-2011, 08:23 PM

you should ask Jim Sammons, he can get you the info one way or the other...

robmandel · 01-13-2011, 01:01 PM

2.5 day trips are really the way to go. you can get so much more fishing in, plus change up and do different things without losing out. think this will be my 5th trip. each one gets better as you become more familiar with the where's and how's.

first, consider what you plan to target primarily. for me that's calico. and they are always there: big, hungry, and mean. the pelagics might be around, and that's something to check the water and other conditions prior to the trip. it might not be worth it to focus on yellowtail all the time as they might not be on then. I might not even bring the bait tank. depends on whether I think I'll need it.

since you can leave things on the boat, bring way more than you need for any one session as you can always retool or shift things around. here's what I plan on bringing.

for bass: slug rig (65# spectra/short top shot 30# flouro. yeah, it's kinda specialized, but calico on the slugs. ain't nothing else like it.) 2 swimbait rigs, minimum 20#. usually I have them rigged either with different weights or colors. one lighter spectra rig for the weedless jigs. that's 4 for the bass, but it's what I focus on. you might need less. bass are big and you want to leave the light stuff home. 4-5 lbr's are normal. and you fish close to structure or the shore. you better be able pull to them away!! one of the 20# rigs I can also use to throw light iron or krocs if bonito roll through.

bring lots of plastics, different colors and such. some surface and/or weedless plastics. also gulp jerk shad in dark colors.

I'll also bring a bait stick and a jig stick, both 30#-40#. again, I usually don't fish bait much (and didn't at all last two trips) so the bait stick can double as a yoyo rig. I'll keep one with a yoyo or heavy iron, one with a surface iron.

that's 6, which sounds like alot, and I guess it is. it's more being able to adjust to opportunity.

one rule: never be without a jig stick. stick it in the back, out of the way if needed. but don't get caught without a jig stick.

the variety is awesome. if you're a halibut guy, there's some beasts there. if you are a bass nut like me, it's paradise. if you want yellowtail, and if they're there, then it's awesome. figure what you plan to primarily target.

other thing is clothing. you never know what the conditions will be like. I recommend waders, or at least paddle pants and a good dry top. a couple of layers of clothing too. it can get a little breezy and sometimes a little chilly. also, rod leashes. last trip a guy flipped and lost a couple of grand in gear. it's open water, and if you're not familiar with open water or waht not...it's not rough by most standards, but it's not a lake or harbor either.

see you in june. can't wait. should be awesome as always!!

erinoo · 01-13-2011, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wade

MC Slugs/calicos
&

A Sumo JR iron with a glow back;/

Charge up the glow too on the boats lights
as soon as u get off, in the wee mornin' hours, fire off one of those...

I hear of someone else doing that and winning the jackpot..

GregAndrew · 01-13-2011, 04:16 PM

Take some weedles setups also to fish over the kelp. Definitely keep an iron readily available, don't bother with anything under 15# and have color selections.

AZYakNewb · 01-14-2011, 09:35 AM

Sweet! Good info all the way around - and i will definitely remember the rubbermaid bin/charger/powerstrip advice. Got a few clarification questions though...

1. Got it on the line ratings, but what about the rod? How heavy a stick do you need (especially the Calico bass)? I'd rather be on the lighter action side of things for the fight, but I sure don't want to heavy hand them!

2. Jigging stick.... I am fairly confident a Jig stick for Largemouth bass is NOT gonna do the trick, so what am I looking for? There is a little clearance sale action going on at the local Sportsmans Warehouse and I can get a Seeker 7ft with a Penn 525 Mag (spooled with 30lb mono) for under $200. Is this worth risking divorce, or will the Heavy St Croix and Penn GT320 suffice?

So Freak'in excited...And the LTC just signed the leave slip! GAME ON!!!!!

01-12-2011, 07:37 AM	#1
AZYakNewb Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ and San Diego, CA Posts: 36	Need some help prepping for 2.5 day mothership trip! HELP!!! I am signed up for the 2.5 day trip to the SC islands in June and need some help with prepping my gear and yak for the trip. I have fished the bays for spotties, and the like, but have yet to venture into "deep water"! I spend most of my time "bucket mouth" fishing at home in AZ. I have done some Redfish/Sea Trout fishing in FL and have the following I was planning on bringing: 1. St. Croix 7'6" Extra Heavy/Fast Action with a Penn 320 GTi spooled with 40lb Mono 2. Inshore Extreme 7'6" Medium Heavy/Fast Action with a Quantum PT Catalyst (low profile baitcast) spooled with 16lb mono 3. Quantum PT Energy 7'11" Medium Heavy/Moderate Action with a Daiwa Luna 253 (round baitcat) spooled with 60lb braid and a 20lb Fluorocarbon leader 4. Custom Spinning Rod 6'6" Medium/Moderate Action with Shimano Stella spooled with 12lb mono I also figured I'd bring 2 spottie set-ups for the shore line of the island,as I hear the bass fishing is epic. The kayak is a Malibu X-Factor with the basics, and besides adding a VHF handheld in case I get in trouble, what else do I need (compass, emergency gear - again, got the basics, etc. ) Thanks!

01-12-2011, 10:43 AM	#3
wade Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oceanside Posts: 1,214	MC Slugs/calicos & A Sumo JR iron with a glow back;/ Charge up the glow too on the boats lights as soon as u get off, in the wee mornin' hours, fire off one of those... __________________

01-12-2011, 10:31 AM	#2
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	you are good to go with the line class/rods/reels super clean water, bring some flouro leader in 20-30-40 for fishing live bait. Hooks #2,2/0,4/0 sardine, mackerel,squid).......plastics and surface/yoyo iron __________________

01-12-2011, 01:53 PM	#4
AZYakNewb Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ and San Diego, CA Posts: 36	Gents, AWESOME! thanks for the info and tips... really glad my gear will work as adding another set-up to the "wall of addiction" would probably get me divorced! Forgot to mention that I will be in the SD area in March and would love to make an LJ run if anyone feels like breaking in a rookie. I am also headed to Hawaii in APR for work and thought I'd take a crack at it there as well. Does anyone know a good place to rent a yak and ply the waters out there?

01-12-2011, 08:23 PM	#5
mtnbykr2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: newbury park ca Posts: 2,323	you should ask Jim Sammons, he can get you the info one way or the other...

01-13-2011, 01:01 PM	#6
robmandel Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 186	2.5 day trips are really the way to go. you can get so much more fishing in, plus change up and do different things without losing out. think this will be my 5th trip. each one gets better as you become more familiar with the where's and how's. first, consider what you plan to target primarily. for me that's calico. and they are always there: big, hungry, and mean. the pelagics might be around, and that's something to check the water and other conditions prior to the trip. it might not be worth it to focus on yellowtail all the time as they might not be on then. I might not even bring the bait tank. depends on whether I think I'll need it. since you can leave things on the boat, bring way more than you need for any one session as you can always retool or shift things around. here's what I plan on bringing. for bass: slug rig (65# spectra/short top shot 30# flouro. yeah, it's kinda specialized, but calico on the slugs. ain't nothing else like it.) 2 swimbait rigs, minimum 20#. usually I have them rigged either with different weights or colors. one lighter spectra rig for the weedless jigs. that's 4 for the bass, but it's what I focus on. you might need less. bass are big and you want to leave the light stuff home. 4-5 lbr's are normal. and you fish close to structure or the shore. you better be able pull to them away!! one of the 20# rigs I can also use to throw light iron or krocs if bonito roll through. bring lots of plastics, different colors and such. some surface and/or weedless plastics. also gulp jerk shad in dark colors. I'll also bring a bait stick and a jig stick, both 30#-40#. again, I usually don't fish bait much (and didn't at all last two trips) so the bait stick can double as a yoyo rig. I'll keep one with a yoyo or heavy iron, one with a surface iron. that's 6, which sounds like alot, and I guess it is. it's more being able to adjust to opportunity. one rule: never be without a jig stick. stick it in the back, out of the way if needed. but don't get caught without a jig stick. the variety is awesome. if you're a halibut guy, there's some beasts there. if you are a bass nut like me, it's paradise. if you want yellowtail, and if they're there, then it's awesome. figure what you plan to primarily target. other thing is clothing. you never know what the conditions will be like. I recommend waders, or at least paddle pants and a good dry top. a couple of layers of clothing too. it can get a little breezy and sometimes a little chilly. also, rod leashes. last trip a guy flipped and lost a couple of grand in gear. it's open water, and if you're not familiar with open water or waht not...it's not rough by most standards, but it's not a lake or harbor either. see you in june. can't wait. should be awesome as always!!

01-13-2011, 04:16 PM	#8
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	Take some weedles setups also to fish over the kelp. Definitely keep an iron readily available, don't bother with anything under 15# and have color selections.

01-14-2011, 09:35 AM	#9
AZYakNewb Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ and San Diego, CA Posts: 36	Sweet! Good info all the way around - and i will definitely remember the rubbermaid bin/charger/powerstrip advice. Got a few clarification questions though... 1. Got it on the line ratings, but what about the rod? How heavy a stick do you need (especially the Calico bass)? I'd rather be on the lighter action side of things for the fight, but I sure don't want to heavy hand them! 2. Jigging stick.... I am fairly confident a Jig stick for Largemouth bass is NOT gonna do the trick, so what am I looking for? There is a little clearance sale action going on at the local Sportsmans Warehouse and I can get a Seeker 7ft with a Penn 525 Mag (spooled with 30lb mono) for under $200. Is this worth risking divorce, or will the Heavy St Croix and Penn GT320 suffice? So Freak'in excited...And the LTC just signed the leave slip! GAME ON!!!!!