Charting new territory on the yak - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

carbonbass · 02-22-2011, 03:15 PM

Well i went out of laguna yesterday (launched from fishermans cove, great spot for begginning surf launchers as its pretty protected from the rocks near by and slopes up slowly for small shorebreak.) Anywho launched at about 945am and saw some birds working the surface a good 3/4 mile out so i paddled to it for kicks, i found some dolphins balling up a bunch of bait taking turns spearing through the ball like a torpedo (will upload the video footage once i can figure out how to transfer it from my phone to my email, the file is too big to email). Anywho, it took about an hour just to paddle to them so i watched for a good 30 mins or so. I was hoping there would be game fish out there but there was only dolphins, i wonder why :roll:. I turned on my FF to realize i was in 250ft of water, lol didnt know it dropped off that quickly at laguna. I decided to paddle in closer and when i got to about 150 feet i metered a few fish hugging the bottom, i figured they must be bass. I dropped down a 4 incher and let the current drift me, no bites no hookups, i casted out and reeled it in along the bottom for nothing, i even jigged up and down. Im definately still very novice in the explore the ocean and find your own fish, and realize the harbor is much easier to find fish for me still (hey a piling it probably has a bass next to it :lol: ). Any tips you guys can give me for fishing deeper water with the swimmies would be greatly appreciated, i got frustrated and paddled back to the kelp in 30 ft of water and started grinding around on bottom over there only to miss 1 bite for the session, i almost wanted to go back to deeper water alsdfgjkaslkdgj i feel like im in such a rush to find fish i never have the confidence knowing im going to catch fish in the particular spot im in, making me want to change lol. The big problem for me is that i feel like i cant feel my lure anymore when its 75ft+ down there so i never know if im working it properly, any help would be awesome and i will get that video footage of the dolphins up once i figure out the xfer. Thanks for reading~

blackRifle · 02-22-2011, 03:26 PM

I'm in the same boat as far as trying to figure out how to work the bites and such.

My best advice to you is to go out to enjoy the water and count fish as an added bonus.

I've also learned you have to work your bait VERY sloww..

Amish Ed · 02-22-2011, 03:46 PM

Lots of possible responses, but here's a few that come to mind.

#1 Laguna doesn't have a lot of deeper water structure. And, its hard to find. You're better off sticking in tight and working either the boilers or the slightly deeper stuff that's easier to find.

#2 make sure you have enough weight to get to the bottom quick enough. 150' and I'd be using at least 1oz. Not enough weight and by the time you hit bottom you'll have way too much line out. Then you won't be able to feel your bait, let alone be able to set the hook.

#3 Head south after launching and paddle past Main Beach. There's some boilers out in deeper water that should have some fish this time of year.

carbonbass · 02-22-2011, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amish Ed

Lots of possible responses, but here's a few that come to mind.

#1 Laguna doesn't have a lot of deeper water structure. And, its hard to find. You're better off sticking in tight and working either the boilers or the slightly deeper stuff that's easier to find.

#2 make sure you have enough weight to get to the bottom quick enough. 150' and I'd be using at least 1oz. Not enough weight and by the time you hit bottom you'll have way too much line out. Then you won't be able to feel your bait, let alone be able to set the hook.

#3 Head south after launching and paddle past Main Beach. There's some boilers out in deeper water that should have some fish this time of year.

whats the slighty deeper stuff thats easier to find 50 or so ft?

chris138 · 02-22-2011, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carbonbass

The big problem for me is that i feel like i cant feel my lure anymore when its 75ft+ down there so i never know if im working it properly, any help would be awesome and i will get that video footage of the dolphins up once i figure out the xfer. Thanks for reading~

Spectra has virtually no elastisity, and thus it is extremely sensitive. 40lb mono streches like crazy. You talk about losing the "feel" of the lure past 75' depth... using spectra will help you in that regard for sure. With 65lb braid you can easily feel a single squid hit your jig 130 ft down. It's insane how noticeable the sensitivity of spectra is... then just wait til a 20lb+ YT hits that swimbait!

You can feel every headshake and tail thump. Only thing is you want a lighter action rod in order to absorb the shock of a bigger fish and smooth out the action of your bait.

Amish Ed · 02-22-2011, 05:12 PM

Depending on the swell you'll see areas where the waves pop up consistently. Check those spots out. How deep depends on a lot of factors like how big the swell is and how big the structure is. But, I fished a tournament (and won) with out a fish finder. I didn't know the area (it wasn't Laguna), but I was able to pick out rock pinnacles in about 35' based on the waves. It takes practice, but it's worth the study.

T Bone · 02-22-2011, 05:58 PM

The Amish shun fish finders

Fish those rocks with a reebs Keep you from getting hung up so bad

Amish Ed · 02-22-2011, 06:18 PM

I don't remember why I didn't have one, but I went without for a while.

02-22-2011, 05:12 PM	#6
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,906	Depending on the swell you'll see areas where the waves pop up consistently. Check those spots out. How deep depends on a lot of factors like how big the swell is and how big the structure is. But, I fished a tournament (and won) with out a fish finder. I didn't know the area (it wasn't Laguna), but I was able to pick out rock pinnacles in about 35' based on the waves. It takes practice, but it's worth the study. __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

02-22-2011, 05:58 PM	#7
T Bone Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Redlands CA Posts: 871	The Amish shun fish finders Fish those rocks with a reebs Keep you from getting hung up so bad __________________ Barachit Baralah,Elohim-In the beginning,God-Genesis 1:1 "Who among you,if your son asked for a fish would give them a serpent " Jesus Matt. 7:10

02-22-2011, 06:18 PM	#8
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,906	I don't remember why I didn't have one, but I went without for a while. __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

02-22-2011, 03:15 PM	#1
carbonbass Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 367	Charting new territory on the yak Well i went out of laguna yesterday (launched from fishermans cove, great spot for begginning surf launchers as its pretty protected from the rocks near by and slopes up slowly for small shorebreak.) Anywho launched at about 945am and saw some birds working the surface a good 3/4 mile out so i paddled to it for kicks, i found some dolphins balling up a bunch of bait taking turns spearing through the ball like a torpedo (will upload the video footage once i can figure out how to transfer it from my phone to my email, the file is too big to email). Anywho, it took about an hour just to paddle to them so i watched for a good 30 mins or so. I was hoping there would be game fish out there but there was only dolphins, i wonder why :roll:. I turned on my FF to realize i was in 250ft of water, lol didnt know it dropped off that quickly at laguna. I decided to paddle in closer and when i got to about 150 feet i metered a few fish hugging the bottom, i figured they must be bass. I dropped down a 4 incher and let the current drift me, no bites no hookups, i casted out and reeled it in along the bottom for nothing, i even jigged up and down. Im definately still very novice in the explore the ocean and find your own fish, and realize the harbor is much easier to find fish for me still (hey a piling it probably has a bass next to it :lol: ). Any tips you guys can give me for fishing deeper water with the swimmies would be greatly appreciated, i got frustrated and paddled back to the kelp in 30 ft of water and started grinding around on bottom over there only to miss 1 bite for the session, i almost wanted to go back to deeper water alsdfgjkaslkdgj i feel like im in such a rush to find fish i never have the confidence knowing im going to catch fish in the particular spot im in, making me want to change lol. The big problem for me is that i feel like i cant feel my lure anymore when its 75ft+ down there so i never know if im working it properly, any help would be awesome and i will get that video footage of the dolphins up once i figure out the xfer. Thanks for reading~

02-22-2011, 03:26 PM	#2
blackRifle Junior Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Port Hueneme Posts: 23	I'm in the same boat as far as trying to figure out how to work the bites and such. My best advice to you is to go out to enjoy the water and count fish as an added bonus. I've also learned you have to work your bait VERY sloww..

02-22-2011, 03:46 PM	#3
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,906	Lots of possible responses, but here's a few that come to mind. #1 Laguna doesn't have a lot of deeper water structure. And, its hard to find. You're better off sticking in tight and working either the boilers or the slightly deeper stuff that's easier to find. #2 make sure you have enough weight to get to the bottom quick enough. 150' and I'd be using at least 1oz. Not enough weight and by the time you hit bottom you'll have way too much line out. Then you won't be able to feel your bait, let alone be able to set the hook. #3 Head south after launching and paddle past Main Beach. There's some boilers out in deeper water that should have some fish this time of year. __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!