Fishin the kelp with swimbaits - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Amish Ed · 02-20-2012, 03:07 PM

I definitely like the Slayer heads too. But, in the kelp I find myself throwing more jerkbaits on Sledheads, or with just a weedless hook.

diehardfisher · 02-20-2012, 03:42 PM

I never really use weedless heads, I typically just find the densest kelp possible and drop vertically through whatever hole I can get in through, preferably in front of my drift direction. You will get hit on the drop occasionally when it just stops, or if i make it to the bottom I jig it a couple times then as I am drifting past the hole I retrieve vertically through the hole.

If you get hung up on the retrieve don't horse on it and pull really hard just drop it a couple inches and give it another little pull up, usually releases on the first or second tug. My personal favorite method of bass fishing.

yakrider · 02-20-2012, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diehardfisher

I never really use weedless heads,

If you get hung up on the retrieve don't horse on it and pull really hard just drop it a couple inches and give it another little pull up, usually releases on the first or second tug. My personal favorite method of bass fishing.

well said! that is the ticket...

personally, I find the weedless heads get stuck only a little less than the regular ones, but the kicker is when they do get stuck, the feathers keep them from getting unstuck...
that, to me, is way more frustrating...

practice makes perfect...
try different heads and techniques...
you'll figure it out for yourself...
that's what makes this sport so fun!
the "right way" is whatever works for you!

William Novotny · 02-20-2012, 03:43 PM

Looks like im gonna be picking up some weedless jigheads. Thanks for all your suggestions especially about the current. I always forget to be mindful of the current flow when im throwing at structure or cover.

Mr. Adventure · 02-20-2012, 04:09 PM

Are you using braid? If not it helps a lot.

O e thin I've really found is that when snagged change the angle you are pulling at. Paddle over and to the opposite side of the bait and give it a tug And it will usually come free easier

vincentek9 · 02-20-2012, 04:52 PM

spectra (braid) will cut through kelp very well. also, look into the War Baits weedless leadheads. they are amazing for the southern california calico bass fishing. I usually just go straight into a patch of kelp, sit on top of it, and drop the lure straight down. jig up and down. the only issue is when i catch a toad fish that wraps me around. then its a waiting game of give-and-take until the braid cuts the kelp.

William Novotny · 02-20-2012, 05:26 PM

All of my reels are backed with spectra, but both by baitcasting setups have mono topshot for casting. I suppose I could strip the calcutta down to the 50# braid. That should cut the kelp nicely.

Mr. Adventure · 02-20-2012, 05:33 PM

Sure does, then just leave a short leader

William Novotny · 02-20-2012, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Adventure

Sure does, then just leave a short leader

Doesn't that defeat the purpose of the braid? Doesnt it cut through the kelp at the point where its tied to the lure? Thats what I always assumed

ReedperkinsHB22 · 02-20-2012, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by William Novotny

Looks like im gonna be picking up some weedless jigheads. Thanks for all your suggestions especially about the current. I always forget to be mindful of the current flow when im throwing at structure or cover.

current is always good when fishing kelp, if it laid down then thats a great sign, also i use 50 or 65lb spectra any brand works

fishsouthcounty · 02-20-2012, 09:49 PM

i like braid and the Warbaits slayer heads....they are pricey but they kill it. I have yet to lose one to the kelp while fishing either the pipe or the kelp around strands and the headlands of DP. I almost always fish over the heavy kelp and find small pockets and fish vertically over them. Do yourself a favor and go to Fred Hall this year...tons of plastics on hand, pearl, MC, Big Hammer, etc, plus the Warbaits booth with discounts on all products. Stock up at a discount. Plenty of other good offers to be had as well. Keep an eye on the bloodydecks Fred Hall Vendors Specials board and see how good it gets.

dfroggy54 · 02-20-2012, 10:45 PM

sled heads with red flake whams or blue/silver flake whams. Those monster MC weedless swimbaits work good too.

William Novotny · 02-21-2012, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishsouthcounty

i like braid and the Warbaits slayer heads....they are pricey but they kill it. I have yet to lose one to the kelp while fishing either the pipe or the kelp around strands and the headlands of DP. I almost always fish over the heavy kelp and find small pockets and fish vertically over them. Do yourself a favor and go to Fred Hall this year...tons of plastics on hand, pearl, MC, Big Hammer, etc, plus the Warbaits booth with discounts on all products. Stock up at a discount. Plenty of other good offers to be had as well. Keep an eye on the bloodydecks Fred Hall Vendors Specials board and see how good it gets.

My wife hates me "stocking up" on tackle. Her favorite line is "dont you aleady have that?" So I biy my swimbaits in hand fulls every time I pass the tackle shop and slip it into my daily purchases!

William Novotny · 02-21-2012, 06:40 AM

Do you hits have a go to jighead color you like? I usually just go with any combo with a red head.

mtnbykr2 · 02-21-2012, 07:20 AM

I was glad to see a post about this, as I have been trying all kinds of different combos, and techniques, as far as colors for bass the warbaits are great, rock fish tend to like the brighter colored heads like orange and
chartruse, the bass tend to like the reds and browns, I am now kinda workin the Warbaits more now with alittle more success, but when we start back up on the rock fish, I think I will still work the WB as they aren't getting hung up as bad...thanks for sharing all the info and opinions,

Iebadboy · 02-21-2012, 01:21 PM

We're do u guys like to buy your gear from like the war baits and everything???

TJones · 02-21-2012, 02:26 PM

William

fishsouthcounty · 02-21-2012, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by William Novotny

My wife hates me "stocking up" on tackle. Her favorite line is "dont you aleady have that?" So I biy my swimbaits in hand fulls every time I pass the tackle shop and slip it into my daily purchases!

tell her you hate it when she stocks up on shoes and to back off! haha just kidding im not married so i dont know what im talking about. Need to find yourself a good hiding place.

02-20-2012, 03:07 PM	#1
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,906	I definitely like the Slayer heads too. But, in the kelp I find myself throwing more jerkbaits on Sledheads, or with just a weedless hook. __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

02-20-2012, 03:43 PM	#4
William Novotny The carpetbagger Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: tha newps Posts: 1,474	Looks like im gonna be picking up some weedless jigheads. Thanks for all your suggestions especially about the current. I always forget to be mindful of the current flow when im throwing at structure or cover. __________________ "The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope." http://www.badinfluencetattoo.com/gallery.php?artist=21

02-20-2012, 05:26 PM	#7
William Novotny The carpetbagger Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: tha newps Posts: 1,474	All of my reels are backed with spectra, but both by baitcasting setups have mono topshot for casting. I suppose I could strip the calcutta down to the 50# braid. That should cut the kelp nicely. __________________ "The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope." http://www.badinfluencetattoo.com/gallery.php?artist=21

02-20-2012, 10:45 PM	#12
dfroggy54 Rolly Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 245	sled heads with red flake whams or blue/silver flake whams. Those monster MC weedless swimbaits work good too. __________________ I Fish. I catch. I Eat.

02-21-2012, 06:40 AM	#14
William Novotny The carpetbagger Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: tha newps Posts: 1,474	Do you hits have a go to jighead color you like? I usually just go with any combo with a red head. __________________ "The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope." http://www.badinfluencetattoo.com/gallery.php?artist=21

02-20-2012, 03:42 PM	#2
diehardfisher Junior Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: san diego Posts: 16	I never really use weedless heads, I typically just find the densest kelp possible and drop vertically through whatever hole I can get in through, preferably in front of my drift direction. You will get hit on the drop occasionally when it just stops, or if i make it to the bottom I jig it a couple times then as I am drifting past the hole I retrieve vertically through the hole. If you get hung up on the retrieve don't horse on it and pull really hard just drop it a couple inches and give it another little pull up, usually releases on the first or second tug. My personal favorite method of bass fishing.

02-20-2012, 04:09 PM	#5
Mr. Adventure Damn Hippy Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Riverside Posts: 311	Are you using braid? If not it helps a lot. O e thin I've really found is that when snagged change the angle you are pulling at. Paddle over and to the opposite side of the bait and give it a tug And it will usually come free easier

02-20-2012, 04:52 PM	#6
vincentek9 MAYNEE-YAK Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: So Cal Posts: 533	spectra (braid) will cut through kelp very well. also, look into the War Baits weedless leadheads. they are amazing for the southern california calico bass fishing. I usually just go straight into a patch of kelp, sit on top of it, and drop the lure straight down. jig up and down. the only issue is when i catch a toad fish that wraps me around. then its a waiting game of give-and-take until the braid cuts the kelp.

02-20-2012, 05:33 PM	#8
Mr. Adventure Damn Hippy Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Riverside Posts: 311	Sure does, then just leave a short leader

02-20-2012, 09:49 PM	#11
fishsouthcounty Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Juan Capistrano, Ca Posts: 518	i like braid and the Warbaits slayer heads....they are pricey but they kill it. I have yet to lose one to the kelp while fishing either the pipe or the kelp around strands and the headlands of DP. I almost always fish over the heavy kelp and find small pockets and fish vertically over them. Do yourself a favor and go to Fred Hall this year...tons of plastics on hand, pearl, MC, Big Hammer, etc, plus the Warbaits booth with discounts on all products. Stock up at a discount. Plenty of other good offers to be had as well. Keep an eye on the bloodydecks Fred Hall Vendors Specials board and see how good it gets.

02-21-2012, 07:20 AM	#15
mtnbykr2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: newbury park ca Posts: 2,323	I was glad to see a post about this, as I have been trying all kinds of different combos, and techniques, as far as colors for bass the warbaits are great, rock fish tend to like the brighter colored heads like orange and chartruse, the bass tend to like the reds and browns, I am now kinda workin the Warbaits more now with alittle more success, but when we start back up on the rock fish, I think I will still work the WB as they aren't getting hung up as bad...thanks for sharing all the info and opinions, __________________

02-21-2012, 01:21 PM	#16
Iebadboy Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Canyon lake CA Posts: 50	We're do u guys like to buy your gear from like the war baits and everything???

02-21-2012, 02:26 PM	#17
TJones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,526	shame on you William