Okay noob question here...yellowtail...

[Cbad Mike]

I agree with both Tony and Yanni...
Whatever method works for you.
A ff is really going to help you find bait but you can always cozy up to someone who's catching macks. I've never seen anyone get pissed and I don't see the harm in asking someone to tell you if there is bait around. When you start making bait keep more than you will use (explained later)
The friendliness seems to dwindle a little bit when your actually going for the game fish tho.
Don't get to close but stay near where you think some guys are marking fish. Most guys won't mind especially if you introduce yourself. Ask if their on BWE. Make conversation. Ask if they need a few macks and give them a couple (refer to catching bait).
After owning a ff I'd personally never fish without one.
Once your dialed in you can see the fish.... Sometimes. It is not a guarantee that they will bite tho.
Don't skimp on a unit. Do your homework and buy a quality model.
Good luck.

[Mr. NiceGuy]

If you don't have a fish finder, fish without one. A FF is just another tool. It's not what makes you a fisherman. There is tons of information and ideas on Internet to help you catch fish.

When the sun comes up, there are already many boats out there in a cluster. that's a good place to start. If you leave while it's still dark, just head for the lights. In this beautiful weather, it's as clear as a bell.

Lately, bait is very plentiful. Drag a sabiki behind you at sunrise and you'll get hammered with mackerels. I finally cut off my old broken sabiki today because it was down to two dull hooks. My next drop with a fresh sabiki brought up 6 mackerels. If you see lots of birds on the water, try there.

You can get nautical charts and fishing maps from a tackle shop or by surfing around online. Plot your course or target zones from there. Dana Landing has laminated maps that are outstanding. Learn dead reckoning. It's a very useful skill to have. I used to do it in my airplane all the time for fun, as a challenge, and to improve my situational awareness. When you drive a car, it's better to look out the window than to stare at the instruments all the time, right?

Navionics has a free chart-plotting app for your smartphone. Figure out your target zones at home, then set up way points on a Navionics route planner. You can get a waterproof phone bag for about $8. Marine West has them. The Hobie Center has them. Probably OEX too, but I haven't looked there.

Before I had a fish finder, when I wanted to know the depth I dropped a mason's line with a heavy weight and a knot tied every 5'. It worked just fine. That helped confirm my position relative to my charts. If you want to be more cool, tie the knots in fathoms and drink absinthe mixed with champagne (it's called "Death In The Afternoon").



You can avoid the kelp and know your distance from the kelp by following depth contours.

I caught this yellowtail yesterday. He was exactly where I was fishing without a fish finder.
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ad.php?t=28218

Today I got raked by a halibut but he didn't stick, damit. He ate everything south of my trap hook and sent the rest back as a mackerel zombie. Halibut don't show up on a FF anyway.

[acorad]

Originally Posted by Mr. NiceGuy

You can avoid the kelp and know your distance from the kelp by following depth contours.

Mr. NG, can you explain this one? Is there a limit on how deep kelp will grow? Is there a benefit to knowing your distance from the kelp (and do you mean distance to the side of the kelp or vertical distance above the tops of the kelp?

Andy (YT noob as well)

[Mr. NiceGuy]

Originally Posted by Mr. NiceGuy

You can avoid the kelp and know your distance from the kelp by following depth contours.

Originally Posted by acorad

Mr. NG, can you explain this one? Is there a limit on how deep kelp will grow? Is there a benefit to knowing your distance from the kelp (and do you mean distance to the side of the kelp or vertical distance above the tops of the kelp?

Andy (YT noob as well)

Sure. The benefit to fishing close to the kelp is because that's often where fishing is better, but I don't want to be so close that I get tangled. Depending on tide, current and time of year, sometimes we can see the kelp line, sometimes not because it's under water. By using a map like this, I would be referring to the horizontal distance away from the boundary of the kelp jungle.

When I'm exploring unfamiliar territory I lay out my way points and target zones at home on my computer and with my Navionics iphone app.

I do this by studying various maps, google earth, and other information I find surfing around. I compile lots of notes and ideas to explore on various topics in my MSWord fishing files.

For example, look at the 80-100' depth contours on this map and how close they are to what parts of the kelp bed. Also look at the sandy areas from The Half down to the NW Corner compared to the rocky areas further to the north.

During the summer I was having better luck free-lining on the surface along the 30 fathom line. During this winter, I'm fishing in closer to the kelp along the bottom.

The free Navionics app makes following a pre-planned route exceedingly easy.



This is a cropped section of fishing map called "La Jolla to Point Loma" by Baja Directions, Inc www.bajadirections.com

You can also look through various detailed maps of other local areas at Dana Landing. They have the entire set. These maps contain a wealth of information for around $15 each.

[acorad]

Thanks Mr NG, fantastic stuff! Will order maps for my 'hood, Santa Monica Bay and Channel Islands!

Andy