Line and reel recommendations for LJ and inshore - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

pingpangdang · 04-21-2016, 01:45 PM

I just started targeting yellowtail this year transitioning from bass...

I tried the 20 lb top shot and I lost every fish on the bottom or kelp. Granted I was 3 way swivel bottom fishing but I got tired of losing fish.

I'm using 65lb power pro and 40lb flourocarbon now with no issues. I even have some 50lb fluorocarbon if I decide to bottom fish again.

If you do get hooked up and tangled in kelp don't do what I did and pull until the line snaps or just pulling forever.

If you are using braid for main line feed line out so the fish will swim out of the kelp where your top shot was hanging up. Braid will now be wrapped in the kelp and try pulling again and the braid should saw through.

Also try moving your yak away and the fish should pop out.

For yellows use short rod pumps too...pump then grind on the way down. I found out if I dropped the rod too quickly while not simultaneously reeling on the way down slack can be created in the line and your fish is now gone...If you are using j hooks you may have hooked the fish on the roof of his mouth. ..with slack the hook frees up and you can loose him.

Don't use any junior varsity bass hooks either unless you like straightened hooks. Recommend owner hooks big and strong enough...you can pull up threads on all this stuff.

I don't use a spinning real but I've heard great things about the penn fisher....

Depending your style of fishing you will need a real with the right gear ratio...ie your irons on the yo yo may not go fast enough to get bit if your reel is low gear...

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jorluivil · 04-21-2016, 02:46 PM

I'm not interested in taking a chance at losing fish so all of my lines are #65 braid and #40 mono/flouro.

Phishphood · 04-21-2016, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorluivil

I'm not interested in taking a chance at losing fish so all of my lines are #65 braid and #40 mono/flouro.

This is what I use too. My backup fluoro if I run out is 50lb too

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FISH11 · 06-25-2016, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorluivil

I'm not interested in taking a chance at losing fish so all of my lines are #65 braid and #40 mono/flouro.

X2... I learned the hard way, lost a lot of good yellows my first year. Now it's 65lb braid and 40lb Fluorocarbon 6'-7' leader, often with a swivel between the two, to prevent twisting of the line.

yemff · 06-25-2016, 07:17 PM

65lb braid and 30lb fluoro leader, 5/0 circle.

Mr. NiceGuy · 06-26-2016, 07:56 AM

I've tried different braids, and have settled on textured 65# green Power Pro on my heavier and mid-weight poles for La Jolla and SD Bay. It's easy to cast, cuts kelp and it has always laid flat for me on my reels for a long, long time. I have never had a birds nest with 65# Power Pro. Everyone has their preferences, but this is what works best for me. I put 65# Power Pro on my little Curado baitcaster to save space and have more line, and it casts beautifully -- better than my old lighter weight spinning reels loaded with less-than-fresh curled up mono of any light weight bay weight.

I have also explored fluorocarbon brands. It costs a few dollars more, but I prefer using Blackwater. It's tough, it ties easily, it lasts longer and it doesn't seem to curl up as much as the other popular brands. Squidco and Dana Point Landing both have a good selections of Blackwater. 40# P-line fluorocarbon failed me a couple of times when my knots cracked, so I scrapped that. Some people like it. Maybe my spool was from a bad batch.

FWIW, one more opinion. We all have our favorites.

YakDout · 06-26-2016, 10:07 AM

I like blackwater leader also. They are the only company I have seen make a 35lb test thus far.

04-21-2016, 02:46 PM	#2
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	I'm not interested in taking a chance at losing fish so all of my lines are #65 braid and #40 mono/flouro. __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

04-21-2016, 01:45 PM	#1
pingpangdang Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 228	I just started targeting yellowtail this year transitioning from bass... I tried the 20 lb top shot and I lost every fish on the bottom or kelp. Granted I was 3 way swivel bottom fishing but I got tired of losing fish. I'm using 65lb power pro and 40lb flourocarbon now with no issues. I even have some 50lb fluorocarbon if I decide to bottom fish again. If you do get hooked up and tangled in kelp don't do what I did and pull until the line snaps or just pulling forever. If you are using braid for main line feed line out so the fish will swim out of the kelp where your top shot was hanging up. Braid will now be wrapped in the kelp and try pulling again and the braid should saw through. Also try moving your yak away and the fish should pop out. For yellows use short rod pumps too...pump then grind on the way down. I found out if I dropped the rod too quickly while not simultaneously reeling on the way down slack can be created in the line and your fish is now gone...If you are using j hooks you may have hooked the fish on the roof of his mouth. ..with slack the hook frees up and you can loose him. Don't use any junior varsity bass hooks either unless you like straightened hooks. Recommend owner hooks big and strong enough...you can pull up threads on all this stuff. I don't use a spinning real but I've heard great things about the penn fisher.... Depending your style of fishing you will need a real with the right gear ratio...ie your irons on the yo yo may not go fast enough to get bit if your reel is low gear... Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

06-25-2016, 07:17 PM	#5
yemff Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 75	65lb braid and 30lb fluoro leader, 5/0 circle.

06-26-2016, 07:56 AM	#6
Mr. NiceGuy Manic for Life Join Date: May 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 839	I've tried different braids, and have settled on textured 65# green Power Pro on my heavier and mid-weight poles for La Jolla and SD Bay. It's easy to cast, cuts kelp and it has always laid flat for me on my reels for a long, long time. I have never had a birds nest with 65# Power Pro. Everyone has their preferences, but this is what works best for me. I put 65# Power Pro on my little Curado baitcaster to save space and have more line, and it casts beautifully -- better than my old lighter weight spinning reels loaded with less-than-fresh curled up mono of any light weight bay weight. I have also explored fluorocarbon brands. It costs a few dollars more, but I prefer using Blackwater. It's tough, it ties easily, it lasts longer and it doesn't seem to curl up as much as the other popular brands. Squidco and Dana Point Landing both have a good selections of Blackwater. 40# P-line fluorocarbon failed me a couple of times when my knots cracked, so I scrapped that. Some people like it. Maybe my spool was from a bad batch. FWIW, one more opinion. We all have our favorites. __________________ Another ho-hum day in Paradise Last edited by Mr. NiceGuy; 06-26-2016 at 09:46 AM.

06-26-2016, 10:07 AM	#7
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	I like blackwater leader also. They are the only company I have seen make a 35lb test thus far.