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

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, 01:49 PM	#1
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, 02:13 PM	#2
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	#3
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	#5
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	#6
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.