Newbie questions - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

kjsdad619 · 08-26-2015, 09:48 AM

I have only had a hard time making bait once, and that was without squid. Now I use squid bits on my hooks marinated in this stuff called buttjuice made by procure and I have never had a problem since. I also use a heavy torpedo sinker, between 5-7 oz, this way the fish once on the hook doesn't go ballistic and get my line tangled. I used to use 1 oz and it was madness. I will reel them in once on and just grab them one by one and throw into the tank.

I have always had luck right next to kelp but last time saw some bait balls on FF and dropped line straight down, there was also a bunch of boils and I through my sabiki right in and just slayed the Spanish macs.

Also I caught my two YT in 150 and deeper water off of LJ, at this point I use my FF for depth and structure I still need to get them dialed in to see arches.

Hope this helps, I just learned from trail and error and this is what worked for me!

igotpron · 08-26-2015, 10:52 AM

Full 6 hooks on the sabiki, minimum of a 4oz weight stops almost all tangles, and I use a homemade de hooker. Unhook bait right over tank well and never touch them. Simple and fast way to dehook and you never stick your finger..

BigTunaL · 08-26-2015, 11:19 AM

I guess for the FF, I need to dial in better each time til I get it right. I did have 1 oz weight on my sabiki I'll try 5oz next time.
I think I saw the diy de-hooker before with the cork handle and and loop at the end.

Thank you gents.

Mr. NiceGuy · 08-26-2015, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igotpron

I use a homemade de hooker. Unhook bait right over tank well and never touch them. Simple and fast way to dehook and you never stick your finger..

What does it look like?

igotpron · 08-26-2015, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. NiceGuy

What does it look like?

I just copied this design

Just search for de hooker in Google and anyone of them should work. They work stupid easy.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

EastLosYaker · 08-26-2015, 09:18 PM

Back side of a butter knife is the way to go. Stole that idea from Mark Wisch

Mr. NiceGuy · 08-27-2015, 08:14 AM

Thanks. This one makes sense too:

Another shape that makes sense:

yak-fishing-socal · 08-27-2015, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igotpron

Full 6 hooks on the sabiki, minimum of a 4oz weight stops almost all tangles, and I use a homemade de hooker. Unhook bait right over tank well and never touch them. Simple and fast way to dehook and you never stick your finger..

Iv never thought about a dehooker on bait fish you have a pic of your home made one...

I just grab em and unhook them but some times it sucks and hooks get my clothes and what not

sent from my thumbs on my G4

Mr. NiceGuy · 08-26-2015, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjsdad619

I also use a heavy torpedo sinker, between 5-7 oz, this way the fish once on the hook doesn't go ballistic and get my line tangled. I used to use 1 oz and it was madness. I will reel them in once on and just grab them one by one and throw into the tank.

Rather than a torpedo weight, I've heard of using an iron for a sometimes interesting by-catch. I don't know if it works, but it's an interesting idea to explore.

onthewater · 08-26-2015, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. NiceGuy

Rather than a torpedo weight, I've heard of using an iron for a sometimes interesting by-catch.

I've also heard really shiny things like a Krocadile spoon will act as an attractor as well if you go that route. But then I guess more tangles and hooks flying around

2-Stix · 08-26-2015, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onthewater

I've also heard really shiny things like a Krocadile spoon will act as an attractor as well if you go that route. But then I guess more tangles and hooks flying around

I run a 2 oz glow torpedo with a treble. It gets fish a lot. And I get chewed up by it plenty. A friend uses a swim bait.

kayachapi · 08-26-2015, 01:49 PM

I use Google Earth to get a general view of the bottom structure. Everyone probably knows this, but when your over your area you are planning to fish, if you keep zooming past the surface of the water until you hit the bottom you level out at the ocean floor. Use the arrow keys to explore areas for drop offs, structure, flats next to drop offs. It's like diving around on your computer and when you see an area that looks interesting, exit ground level for coordinates. "Eye alt level" at the bottom right of the screen gives a negative # for approximate depth. It helps me develop a plan for an area I've never fished before.

MrPukaShell · 08-26-2015, 02:13 PM

If you want a great dehooker use an old butter knife. Purley old school right there. Nothing fancy but it works great (unless you drill a hole in it for leashing purposes). Slide down until you are in the throat of the hook and flip the bait over, slides right off the hook. Don't tell your wife when all of the butter knifes are missing.

Mahigeer · 08-26-2015, 04:09 PM

I think putting bait on Sabiki during day light works, but you just paid a lot of money for feathers, beads, etc., did not get the benefit of it.
Just tie a bunch of hooks and use bait. It is much cheaper.

The reason that Sabiki works is because it looks like small bait or shrimp.
The bait kind of reduces the action of the fathers.

A heavy sinker 4 oz. plus reduces the tangle. I heard a pier fisherman that used 12 hooks and a pound of weight. Not practical for kayak.

Also, as soon as you feel the trembling of the fishing line, reel in the rig. The longer the rig is in the water after the first mackerel is caught, the more fish will be hooked, but also more chance of tangles.

Barbless hooks and a coat hanger wire with an "S" at the end works great as de-hooker, will make removing the fish easier.

Sir LJ · 08-26-2015, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayachapi

I use Google Earth to get a general view of the bottom structure. Everyone probably knows this, but when your over your area you are planning to fish, if you keep zooming past the surface of the water until you hit the bottom you level out at the ocean floor. Use the arrow keys to explore areas for drop offs, structure, flats next to drop offs. It's like diving around on your computer and when you see an area that looks interesting, exit ground level for coordinates. "Eye alt level" at the bottom right of the screen gives a negative # for approximate depth. It helps me develop a plan for an area I've never fished before.

Thanks for the advice. I've tried google earth but have not been able to figure out how u guys use it. This helps a lot.
Anybody else have advice on this?

chris138 · 08-26-2015, 05:12 PM

The higher the sonar frequency, the less it is able to penetrate deep or cluttered water. 83 or 50 kHz are essential for identifying large fish in water deeper than 100' for one of the small low powered ffs we use. You sacrifice resolution for range.

That's why you see guys cruising around w sonar that cost more than their kayak.

DanaPT · 08-26-2015, 05:59 PM

I use a de hooker. It's a stainless threaded j-hook that I've screwed into a thick dowel. Super easy to get the small sibikis out of a bait fish mouth.

A cork works well too but you may want to epoxy for a sure bond.

08-26-2015, 09:48 AM	#1
kjsdad619 Just a Salty Sailor Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 193	I have only had a hard time making bait once, and that was without squid. Now I use squid bits on my hooks marinated in this stuff called buttjuice made by procure and I have never had a problem since. I also use a heavy torpedo sinker, between 5-7 oz, this way the fish once on the hook doesn't go ballistic and get my line tangled. I used to use 1 oz and it was madness. I will reel them in once on and just grab them one by one and throw into the tank. I have always had luck right next to kelp but last time saw some bait balls on FF and dropped line straight down, there was also a bunch of boils and I through my sabiki right in and just slayed the Spanish macs. Also I caught my two YT in 150 and deeper water off of LJ, at this point I use my FF for depth and structure I still need to get them dialed in to see arches. Hope this helps, I just learned from trail and error and this is what worked for me! __________________ So there I was..

08-27-2015, 08:14 AM	#7
Mr. NiceGuy Manic for Life Join Date: May 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 839	Thanks. This one makes sense too: Another shape that makes sense: __________________ Another ho-hum day in Paradise Last edited by Mr. NiceGuy; 08-27-2015 at 08:23 AM.

08-26-2015, 01:49 PM	#12
kayachapi Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Tehachapi Posts: 81	Google Earth I use Google Earth to get a general view of the bottom structure. Everyone probably knows this, but when your over your area you are planning to fish, if you keep zooming past the surface of the water until you hit the bottom you level out at the ocean floor. Use the arrow keys to explore areas for drop offs, structure, flats next to drop offs. It's like diving around on your computer and when you see an area that looks interesting, exit ground level for coordinates. "Eye alt level" at the bottom right of the screen gives a negative # for approximate depth. It helps me develop a plan for an area I've never fished before.

08-26-2015, 10:52 AM	#2
igotpron Xcoastie Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Westminster Posts: 285	Full 6 hooks on the sabiki, minimum of a 4oz weight stops almost all tangles, and I use a homemade de hooker. Unhook bait right over tank well and never touch them. Simple and fast way to dehook and you never stick your finger..

08-26-2015, 11:19 AM	#3
BigTunaL Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 170	I guess for the FF, I need to dial in better each time til I get it right. I did have 1 oz weight on my sabiki I'll try 5oz next time. I think I saw the diy de-hooker before with the cork handle and and loop at the end. Thank you gents.

08-26-2015, 09:18 PM	#6
EastLosYaker Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: East Los Angeles Posts: 220	Back side of a butter knife is the way to go. Stole that idea from Mark Wisch

08-26-2015, 02:13 PM	#13
MrPukaShell Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ventura COunty Posts: 521	If you want a great dehooker use an old butter knife. Purley old school right there. Nothing fancy but it works great (unless you drill a hole in it for leashing purposes). Slide down until you are in the throat of the hook and flip the bait over, slides right off the hook. Don't tell your wife when all of the butter knifes are missing.

08-26-2015, 04:09 PM	#14
Mahigeer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,908	I think putting bait on Sabiki during day light works, but you just paid a lot of money for feathers, beads, etc., did not get the benefit of it. Just tie a bunch of hooks and use bait. It is much cheaper. The reason that Sabiki works is because it looks like small bait or shrimp. The bait kind of reduces the action of the fathers. A heavy sinker 4 oz. plus reduces the tangle. I heard a pier fisherman that used 12 hooks and a pound of weight. Not practical for kayak. Also, as soon as you feel the trembling of the fishing line, reel in the rig. The longer the rig is in the water after the first mackerel is caught, the more fish will be hooked, but also more chance of tangles. Barbless hooks and a coat hanger wire with an "S" at the end works great as de-hooker, will make removing the fish easier.

08-26-2015, 05:12 PM	#16
chris138 donkey roper Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pacific Beach Posts: 968	The higher the sonar frequency, the less it is able to penetrate deep or cluttered water. 83 or 50 kHz are essential for identifying large fish in water deeper than 100' for one of the small low powered ffs we use. You sacrifice resolution for range. That's why you see guys cruising around w sonar that cost more than their kayak.

08-26-2015, 05:59 PM	#17
DanaPT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South OC Posts: 1,606	I use a de hooker. It's a stainless threaded j-hook that I've screwed into a thick dowel. Super easy to get the small sibikis out of a bait fish mouth. A cork works well too but you may want to epoxy for a sure bond.