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

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, 10:39 AM	#1
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	#2
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	#3
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.