Getting in slow and cheap - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

jbm · 06-23-2010, 09:49 AM

I don't have any fishing buddies, so I don't really talk the talk, but here is what I have currently:

Shimano Sedona 1500FB on a 6'6" 2-6# ultralight action
Shimano Sienna 2500RD on a 6'6" 4-8# light action IM-6
And for the kids, an Avocet II S500 on a 5'6" 2-8# Light action.

I think I've got 6# line on most of the reels but could easily pick up an extra spool and a different line.

When people talk about a Sabiki, is that just how you set up the tackle? Multiple hooks on a drop weight?

Holy Mackerel · 06-23-2010, 10:22 AM

Those ultralight reels will take a beating from saltwater, buy a conventional saltwater set up. You can use it for everything, tie on a sabiki rig to make bait, put away sabiki rig around a piece of pool noodle foam. Then rig it for live bait.

Google Sabiki Rig.

This is a good reason for you to go make friends at your local tackle shop. Drop by OEX O-side, Nate sells kayaks, but knows all about fishing gear too.

http://www.oexoceanside.com/

236 South Coast Highway
Oceanside, CA 92054
(760) 721-6195

Search function covers many of these topics.

IntrntFshrman · 06-23-2010, 10:26 AM

After being with Josh the other day when his FIRST cast to make bait had a 20+ pound yellowtail hit it (took him over 20 minutes to land it--on the sabiki!), you might want to think twice about the spinner for making bait.

As a beginner myself, I tried that and found that when you add the weight of the end weight, plus a string of 5 mackerel fighting you, it's a drag winding up. I've switched to conventional/decent rod for sabiki.

Mike

jbm · 06-23-2010, 10:39 AM

Thanks! I spoke to Nate already too. He was really helpful regarding choices in Kayaks and some general fishing knowledge for the area.

I did some searching with google on the site, but had trouble finding details on rod/reel setups. I don't want to end up getting something that would be useless or difficult to handle on a kayak. I'll try heading down to Squidco in the next couple days.

I do appreciate the advice.

GregAndrew · 06-23-2010, 04:58 PM

Get a Daiwa Sealine 30 or 40 for your first reel purchase if you intend to fish for YT and WSB. They are not very expensive, cast great and are nearly indestructible. They are also a very versatile reel that you will continue to use for years. A 20-50 rod is probably a little heavy for Halibut fishing but you don't want much lighter for YT or WSB fishing. If you can find a 15-40 or 20-40, that might be a better middle ground rod.

fongman · 06-23-2010, 08:36 PM

Most newbies start off fishing in the bays in order to get comfortable with their kayaks. The bays have a whole fishery that can be productive: spotted bay bass, sand bass, calico bass, barracudas, halibuts, bonefish, to name a few. So, unless you are planning on going on the party boats or buying your kayak soon, I would hold off buying the big stuff until you're ready to use it. Instead, I would recommend buying a medium or medium heavy, 7' bass rod with either a low profile or round levelwind, baitcaster reel. Load it with 8, 10, or possibly 14 lbs test mono or 10-20# braid with a short length (3 ft) of fluorocarbon leader, depending on what type of bass lures you want to throw.

Just about anything that works in freshwater will also works in saltwater. Start off by buying some 3" swimbaits (big hammers) and fish from the sand or rocks on the bay. Just about where ever you find eelgrass, you'll find spotted bay bass. Learn how to use swimbaits because they are useful in the kelp, too. Later, you might try some crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, jerkbaits, etc. Due to your limited arsenal, this setup could be used for your bass/sabiki rod in the kelp.

btw, you can also use your ultralights for dropshotting in the bays, but you'll need at least 6# test and you'll need to find an area without too much structure.

06-23-2010, 09:49 AM	#1
jbm Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Escondido<->Carlsbad Posts: 81	I don't have any fishing buddies, so I don't really talk the talk, but here is what I have currently: Shimano Sedona 1500FB on a 6'6" 2-6# ultralight action Shimano Sienna 2500RD on a 6'6" 4-8# light action IM-6 And for the kids, an Avocet II S500 on a 5'6" 2-8# Light action. I think I've got 6# line on most of the reels but could easily pick up an extra spool and a different line. When people talk about a Sabiki, is that just how you set up the tackle? Multiple hooks on a drop weight?

06-23-2010, 10:22 AM	#2
Holy Mackerel Señor member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,627	Those ultralight reels will take a beating from saltwater, buy a conventional saltwater set up. You can use it for everything, tie on a sabiki rig to make bait, put away sabiki rig around a piece of pool noodle foam. Then rig it for live bait. Google Sabiki Rig. This is a good reason for you to go make friends at your local tackle shop. Drop by OEX O-side, Nate sells kayaks, but knows all about fishing gear too. http://www.oexoceanside.com/ 236 South Coast Highway Oceanside, CA 92054 (760) 721-6195 Search function covers many of these topics.

06-23-2010, 10:26 AM	#3
IntrntFshrman Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Posts: 82	After being with Josh the other day when his FIRST cast to make bait had a 20+ pound yellowtail hit it (took him over 20 minutes to land it--on the sabiki!), you might want to think twice about the spinner for making bait. As a beginner myself, I tried that and found that when you add the weight of the end weight, plus a string of 5 mackerel fighting you, it's a drag winding up. I've switched to conventional/decent rod for sabiki. Mike

06-23-2010, 10:39 AM	#4
jbm Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Escondido<->Carlsbad Posts: 81	Thanks! I spoke to Nate already too. He was really helpful regarding choices in Kayaks and some general fishing knowledge for the area. I did some searching with google on the site, but had trouble finding details on rod/reel setups. I don't want to end up getting something that would be useless or difficult to handle on a kayak. I'll try heading down to Squidco in the next couple days. I do appreciate the advice.

06-23-2010, 04:58 PM	#5
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	Get a Daiwa Sealine 30 or 40 for your first reel purchase if you intend to fish for YT and WSB. They are not very expensive, cast great and are nearly indestructible. They are also a very versatile reel that you will continue to use for years. A 20-50 rod is probably a little heavy for Halibut fishing but you don't want much lighter for YT or WSB fishing. If you can find a 15-40 or 20-40, that might be a better middle ground rod.

06-23-2010, 08:36 PM	#6
fongman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 116	Most newbies start off fishing in the bays in order to get comfortable with their kayaks. The bays have a whole fishery that can be productive: spotted bay bass, sand bass, calico bass, barracudas, halibuts, bonefish, to name a few. So, unless you are planning on going on the party boats or buying your kayak soon, I would hold off buying the big stuff until you're ready to use it. Instead, I would recommend buying a medium or medium heavy, 7' bass rod with either a low profile or round levelwind, baitcaster reel. Load it with 8, 10, or possibly 14 lbs test mono or 10-20# braid with a short length (3 ft) of fluorocarbon leader, depending on what type of bass lures you want to throw. Just about anything that works in freshwater will also works in saltwater. Start off by buying some 3" swimbaits (big hammers) and fish from the sand or rocks on the bay. Just about where ever you find eelgrass, you'll find spotted bay bass. Learn how to use swimbaits because they are useful in the kelp, too. Later, you might try some crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, jerkbaits, etc. Due to your limited arsenal, this setup could be used for your bass/sabiki rod in the kelp. btw, you can also use your ultralights for dropshotting in the bays, but you'll need at least 6# test and you'll need to find an area without too much structure.