Catalina Sportfishing... Equipment Questions! - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Fiskadoro · 11-08-2012, 08:18 AM

When I fish SMB I fish 15-20 pound gear, when I fish La Jolla I fish 30-40 pound topshots with spectra, when I fish Catalina I take both. That time of year they will target Seabass or Yellows if they are around. If not they may target bass or shallow water Rockfish. Fishing Yellows and Seabass there is pretty much the same as fishing them at La Jolla, same Irons work, dropper loop works, sliding sinker rigs, flyline all can work etc...

The big difference is bait. At Cat you'll probably be fishing sardines or Squid, which you can fish with the same gear as we fish macks. If the bait situation is screwed they might only have anchovies, then drop down to fifteen and twenty pound. Also if the fish are acting line shy you might want to drop to lighter line. Another thing you need to remember is you have all the bait you want. Put out a bait, if you don't get bit in a few minutes reel in toss the bait and put on a fresh one. When you choose a bait look them over and always choose the biggest best looking bait you see, and change them every drop.

If they set up shallow on any kind of flat or sand consider halibut fishing. Catalina has better quality halibut then most of the inshore fishing, most neglect fishing them but those who do win a lot of jackpots doing it.

I've soaked squid all day for seabass for nothing, then pinned a squid on the dropper and instantly nailed a legal Halibut. The last time I fished Cat from a sportboat we were on the backside fishing for 40-50 pound seabass. They were only biting on squid flylined on a 1/2 ounce sinker. I spent all day with every other fool flylining squid trying to get a C and only one big one was caught.

In contrast another guy got three halibut including a fortyfive pounder about an hour before we left fishing on the bottom. After he got the big one I broke down and fished them as well and I ended up with a decent butt a fifteen pounder, but what still kills me is a hooked and landed a 20 pound seabass as well. Two fish off the bottom in less then an hour compared to all day flylining for nothing. In hindsight should of been fishing dropper loop all day long. Just because everyone else is fishing one way does not mean you have to.

Another thing that's different is that you can't chase fish. That's why you need a lot of line on your reels. Probably every seabass over twenty I've landed there has taken at least a 100 yards on the first run, and I've hooked fish on twenty that I couldn't even stop there.

Also take a lot of terminal tackle, some smaller but strong hooks, and lots of sinkers up to eight to ten ounces. Depending on current and conditions you may need some heavy weights then your used to.

Cats a great place to fish. It can be very hit or miss depending on currents and the weather. I've caught more Yellowtail at Cat then anywhere, more big Calicos there then anywhere, and it's excellent Seabass fishing if they're biting. Hopefully you'll get a good Captain and catch some fish.

Good luck!

addicted2sp33d · 11-12-2012, 12:14 PM

Follow-up question!!!

I took a look at the 6000/8000/10000 class spinning reels out there and remembered why I didn't get one of them sooner - they're huge (that's what she said). So now I'm basically looking at a smaller round conventional so I can get the line capacity without the large form factor.

What do you guys recommend? Oh... and I would really prefer a lefty crank. I tried out a Cardiff 401 at Big5 and it looks like it will be able to carry 300+ yards of 40lb braid.

What are some other options for round conventionals with lefty cranks? Thanks!

Bigfishhunter96 · 11-12-2012, 12:42 PM

I like the sea line series by diawa the sea line x forty is perfect for its price. Line it with 65 pound braid with 75 yards of 30 pound test. You will have over 400 yards on a smaller reel and perfect for any fishing. Had mine for 6 years caught rock fish to 40 pound bluefin and haven't had to oil it yet

Mackerel Masher · 11-12-2012, 01:08 PM

AVET MXJ (they make lefty models). $169 MSRP. All Aluminum and Made in the USA. I spend most of my life in China making cheap plastic shit so that's really important to me. Everybody sells for MSRP but you can usually get "free braid" depending on who you buy from (Squid Co.).

Caught a lot of yellowtail, halibut, dorado, and yellowfin on my SXs and MXJs this year.

11-12-2012, 02:39 PM

I took 65#spectra on my 3/4 day, that way when I hooked my Dorado and my tuna, I didn't have to worry about losing it to some rookie tourists getting tangled.

I would run spectra, 20# should be fine. That way you can cut through anyones lines who's getting caught up, if its rock fishing though, it should go pretty smoothley. Straight up and down isn't as big a deal as finding YT/Dodo/Tuna/WSB

11-12-2012, 12:14 PM	#2
addicted2sp33d Here fishy fishy fishy... Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 774	Follow-up question!!! I took a look at the 6000/8000/10000 class spinning reels out there and remembered why I didn't get one of them sooner - they're huge (that's what she said). So now I'm basically looking at a smaller round conventional so I can get the line capacity without the large form factor. What do you guys recommend? Oh... and I would really prefer a lefty crank. I tried out a Cardiff 401 at Big5 and it looks like it will be able to carry 300+ yards of 40lb braid. What are some other options for round conventionals with lefty cranks? Thanks! Last edited by addicted2sp33d; 11-12-2012 at 12:28 PM.

11-12-2012, 01:08 PM	#4
Mackerel Masher Junior Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Escondido, CA Posts: 19	AVET MXJ (they make lefty models). $169 MSRP. All Aluminum and Made in the USA. I spend most of my life in China making cheap plastic shit so that's really important to me. Everybody sells for MSRP but you can usually get "free braid" depending on who you buy from (Squid Co.). Caught a lot of yellowtail, halibut, dorado, and yellowfin on my SXs and MXJs this year. __________________ Allan C. P.E.T.A MEMBER Portagee Euthanizing Terrified Albacore *Hamachi Girl* 1981 23' Albacore Special *Mackerel Masher* Hobie Outback

11-08-2012, 08:18 AM	#1
Fiskadoro ....... Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,509	When I fish SMB I fish 15-20 pound gear, when I fish La Jolla I fish 30-40 pound topshots with spectra, when I fish Catalina I take both. That time of year they will target Seabass or Yellows if they are around. If not they may target bass or shallow water Rockfish. Fishing Yellows and Seabass there is pretty much the same as fishing them at La Jolla, same Irons work, dropper loop works, sliding sinker rigs, flyline all can work etc... The big difference is bait. At Cat you'll probably be fishing sardines or Squid, which you can fish with the same gear as we fish macks. If the bait situation is screwed they might only have anchovies, then drop down to fifteen and twenty pound. Also if the fish are acting line shy you might want to drop to lighter line. Another thing you need to remember is you have all the bait you want. Put out a bait, if you don't get bit in a few minutes reel in toss the bait and put on a fresh one. When you choose a bait look them over and always choose the biggest best looking bait you see, and change them every drop. If they set up shallow on any kind of flat or sand consider halibut fishing. Catalina has better quality halibut then most of the inshore fishing, most neglect fishing them but those who do win a lot of jackpots doing it. I've soaked squid all day for seabass for nothing, then pinned a squid on the dropper and instantly nailed a legal Halibut. The last time I fished Cat from a sportboat we were on the backside fishing for 40-50 pound seabass. They were only biting on squid flylined on a 1/2 ounce sinker. I spent all day with every other fool flylining squid trying to get a C and only one big one was caught. In contrast another guy got three halibut including a fortyfive pounder about an hour before we left fishing on the bottom. After he got the big one I broke down and fished them as well and I ended up with a decent butt a fifteen pounder, but what still kills me is a hooked and landed a 20 pound seabass as well. Two fish off the bottom in less then an hour compared to all day flylining for nothing. In hindsight should of been fishing dropper loop all day long. Just because everyone else is fishing one way does not mean you have to. Another thing that's different is that you can't chase fish. That's why you need a lot of line on your reels. Probably every seabass over twenty I've landed there has taken at least a 100 yards on the first run, and I've hooked fish on twenty that I couldn't even stop there. Also take a lot of terminal tackle, some smaller but strong hooks, and lots of sinkers up to eight to ten ounces. Depending on current and conditions you may need some heavy weights then your used to. Cats a great place to fish. It can be very hit or miss depending on currents and the weather. I've caught more Yellowtail at Cat then anywhere, more big Calicos there then anywhere, and it's excellent Seabass fishing if they're biting. Hopefully you'll get a good Captain and catch some fish. Good luck!

11-12-2012, 12:42 PM	#3
Bigfishhunter96 Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 30	I like the sea line series by diawa the sea line x forty is perfect for its price. Line it with 65 pound braid with 75 yards of 30 pound test. You will have over 400 yards on a smaller reel and perfect for any fishing. Had mine for 6 years caught rock fish to 40 pound bluefin and haven't had to oil it yet

11-12-2012, 02:39 PM	#5
Drake Guest Posts: n/a	I took 65#spectra on my 3/4 day, that way when I hooked my Dorado and my tuna, I didn't have to worry about losing it to some rookie tourists getting tangled. I would run spectra, 20# should be fine. That way you can cut through anyones lines who's getting caught up, if its rock fishing though, it should go pretty smoothley. Straight up and down isn't as big a deal as finding YT/Dodo/Tuna/WSB