Losing Irons to the kelp! - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

09-21-2011, 09:21 PM

Just curious why you guys suggest mono when I can think of more benifits to braid? I must be overlooking a major benifit to mono?

Braid can cut the kelp, is stronger, and casts further? What am I missing?
Thanks for the help

The Kid · 09-21-2011, 11:57 PM

When you are targeting fish over the kelp it would be to your benefit to throw irons with spectra and a short leader. 80 lb Power Pro Slick 40-50lb flouro. Depending on your outfit, the rod may be able to withstand the shock of a strike. My personal beef stick, which is strictly used when the fish are over the kelp, is an Ulua and Saltist 40 H with 80lb Power Pro Slick 40 lb Seaguar. I don't use the outfit in open water, but for those other times braid makes life a lot easier. I will say that you should not be getting stuck in the kelp with irons unless you have a fish dug in there or you've got a backlash. Yo-yo irons should be worked in open water when the fish are keyed in on bait close to the bottom. Surface irons should be worked above the kelp, but preferably in front of schooling fish. Good luck!

09-22-2011, 12:06 AM

I throw Irons with a 6'6'' Trevala and a Saragossa 4000F (I know I know, you all hate spinning reels) - I can consistently get in the 60yd range with this set up, which I'm happy with for a 6'6" rod lol.

TVS66MH 6'6"
Moderate Fast
Medium Heavy
50-100 Line Wt
110-240gm Lure weight (About 3 1/2 - 8oz)

Its specifically designed for jigging, so, it takes hit really well.

taggermike · 09-22-2011, 07:26 AM

I'm going to echo the other posters. Use at least 30 but better 40 for iron fishing. I've gone as high as 60. You can pull hard enough to break any kelp with that line. I fish plastics and bait w/spectra but I don't feel comfortable using it for the surface iron yet. As for rod length, 6-6 is a bit short, even for a spinning outfit. Fish don't tend to spook from kayaks the way they do larger boats and you can always take a few extra strokes to get a bit closer, but there really is no substitute for casting distance. My jig sticks are a calstar 90j at 9' and a seeker ulua 93H at 9-3. Others on this board use 10-0s. 8' might be a good place for you to start. There are some good tutorial videos on bloody decks about surface iron casting technique. Of course the HUGE difference on the yak is you're casting that long rod while sitting on your ass. Maybe a BWE member can make a tutorial about their sea level long rod technique. After seeing his recent vid I think The Kid may be the man for the job. And don't over look a bit of practice from the shore or from the yak in open water. When a big spot of boiling YT pops up in front of you is not the time to wonder how you cast. Mike

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09-21-2011, 09:21 PM	#1
Drake Guest Posts: n/a	Just curious why you guys suggest mono when I can think of more benifits to braid? I must be overlooking a major benifit to mono? Braid can cut the kelp, is stronger, and casts further? What am I missing? Thanks for the help

09-21-2011, 11:57 PM	#2
The Kid Loves Surface Irons Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 455	When you are targeting fish over the kelp it would be to your benefit to throw irons with spectra and a short leader. 80 lb Power Pro Slick 40-50lb flouro. Depending on your outfit, the rod may be able to withstand the shock of a strike. My personal beef stick, which is strictly used when the fish are over the kelp, is an Ulua and Saltist 40 H with 80lb Power Pro Slick 40 lb Seaguar. I don't use the outfit in open water, but for those other times braid makes life a lot easier. I will say that you should not be getting stuck in the kelp with irons unless you have a fish dug in there or you've got a backlash. Yo-yo irons should be worked in open water when the fish are keyed in on bait close to the bottom. Surface irons should be worked above the kelp, but preferably in front of schooling fish. Good luck!

09-22-2011, 12:06 AM	#3
Drake Guest Posts: n/a	I throw Irons with a 6'6'' Trevala and a Saragossa 4000F (I know I know, you all hate spinning reels) - I can consistently get in the 60yd range with this set up, which I'm happy with for a 6'6" rod lol. TVS66MH 6'6" Moderate Fast Medium Heavy 50-100 Line Wt 110-240gm Lure weight (About 3 1/2 - 8oz) Its specifically designed for jigging, so, it takes hit really well.

09-22-2011, 07:26 AM	#4
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	I'm going to echo the other posters. Use at least 30 but better 40 for iron fishing. I've gone as high as 60. You can pull hard enough to break any kelp with that line. I fish plastics and bait w/spectra but I don't feel comfortable using it for the surface iron yet. As for rod length, 6-6 is a bit short, even for a spinning outfit. Fish don't tend to spook from kayaks the way they do larger boats and you can always take a few extra strokes to get a bit closer, but there really is no substitute for casting distance. My jig sticks are a calstar 90j at 9' and a seeker ulua 93H at 9-3. Others on this board use 10-0s. 8' might be a good place for you to start. There are some good tutorial videos on bloody decks about surface iron casting technique. Of course the HUGE difference on the yak is you're casting that long rod while sitting on your ass. Maybe a BWE member can make a tutorial about their sea level long rod technique. After seeing his recent vid I think The Kid may be the man for the job. And don't over look a bit of practice from the shore or from the yak in open water. When a big spot of boiling YT pops up in front of you is not the time to wonder how you cast. Mike