Intro and request for kelp bed help - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

schwatk · 08-10-2010, 07:59 AM

Hello everyone,

My name is Joe. I'm 53 years old and live in the San Diego area.
I'm rather new to kayak fishing. I've been fishing San Diego bay from my Hobie Outback and would like to start fishing the kelp beds. Currently I have Curado and Citica 100 reels on Clarus rods. I would imagine these setups are to light for the kelp beds. What rod and reel setups (including line) would you recommend for fishing the kelp beds? I'm especially interested in targeting bass, yellowtails and white seabass.

As I said I've never fished the kelp beds before. Is there anyone out there who wouldn't mind taking a newbie under their wings and showing them how it's done? If not can anyone recommend a good guide who could teach me the ropes?

Thanks for any and all help!

Joe

jasonb · 08-10-2010, 08:41 AM

Welcome Joe. Ive been trolling these boards for a bit now and it seems like for the most part everyone on here is very friendly and willing to help people out on the water. If you want a personal guide I've heard/read about Josh Pruitt being great. I heard he once caught a 48 lb WSB from his neighbors backyard swimming pool. Hes THE DARKHORSE in this thread. http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ead.php?t=8015

roadx · 08-10-2010, 02:36 PM

i dont know what the hell im doing but you can join me this thursday first light. i usually just get some mackerel and drag them around to try and catch a yellow or what ever comes by.

schwatk · 08-11-2010, 08:32 AM

roadx,

Thanks for the invite. Unfortunetly I work on Thursdays.
Hopefully we can hit the water sometime in the future.

Joe

roadx · 08-11-2010, 09:48 AM

anytime during the weekend works for me, im off this week so normally dont get a chance to do the week day fishing at LJ. switching up tactics tomorrow. see how it goes

still targeting yellows

ikrash · 08-11-2010, 12:07 PM

ill be out thus first light...you can join my quest to find the yellows if you'd like

Oolie · 08-11-2010, 12:23 PM

you might want to try some bigger gear for the larger species.

even calicos can test 200 size low profile reels.

roadx · 08-11-2010, 12:53 PM

ikrash PM sent

i use a citica with a cheap ml rod (waiting for my custom rod) for making bait. like i said before, i dont know what the hell im doing but i know for ME to land a yellow on that rig would be a miracle.

JoeBeck · 08-11-2010, 02:37 PM

I won't be going out until next Sat when my brother is in town. Learning is part of the fun though. Use the search function on this site and you will find a wealth of knowledge about different gear that works well out at the kelp. Try searching for "fishing setup" "JigStick" "Bass Setup" "YT Setup" and so on. If you choose to get a guide that will definitely advance your learning curve.

My 1st rig was a Shimono TLD Lever Drag on a 7ft 15-30lb American Custom Rod. Have caught a lot of fish on this set up and it has done well for YT, Halibut, Albacore, RockFish and many other species kayak fishing and fishing from boats it was $200 bucks for the entire setup. The lever Drag is great for trolling the live bait. Now I am partial to the Daiwa Sealines SLX-30SHA and 40SHA, I also go a little heavier on my live bait rod, I believe it is 20-40lb rating, then I have a jigstick, a yoyo setup and then my lighter calico bass/sabiki setup. Still use the TLD lever drag for trolling. If you are on a budget you can find a lot of good deals for used fishing equipment on this forum craigslist and ebay.

Last I found books have a lot of great pointers, gear advice, and methods for targeting species and overall are enjoyable to read. Some of my favorite are:

In the Gray by Capt. Mark Wisch - This is about fishing out at catalina although he goes into targeting all S. California top species YT, Halibut, WSB, Calico and Barracuda and goes into depth about the gear best suited for each as well at bait selection. Good read even if you never plan to go out to catalina

A-Lessons From a Lifetime on the Water by Capt. Mark Wisch - Just a great way to look at fishing

Baja Catch By Neil Kelly and Gene Kira - Includes maps of San Diego and has maps of San Diego Bay, Mission Bay, La Jolla. Gear recommendations and bait also what to target during different parts of the year. Great read even if you are not going to Baja.

Between Two and Twenty Fathoms by Capt. Mark Wisch - I don't think this book is in print anymore but the San Diego Public Library has a copy. This is about fishing from Point Conception to I believe Dana Point. It includes GPS locations of structures, Sections about the big 5 species (YT, Halibut, Calico, Barracuda and WSB) what to use to catch them when, where to catch them and techniques how to catch them. Also all his books talk about learning to read the water.

The Fisherman's Ocean by David Ross: This is about how marine science can help you find and catch fish. It goes into depth about tides and currents and the ever changing ocean.

08-10-2010, 07:59 AM	#1
schwatk Junior Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alpine, CA. Posts: 3	Intro and request for kelp bed help Hello everyone, My name is Joe. I'm 53 years old and live in the San Diego area. I'm rather new to kayak fishing. I've been fishing San Diego bay from my Hobie Outback and would like to start fishing the kelp beds. Currently I have Curado and Citica 100 reels on Clarus rods. I would imagine these setups are to light for the kelp beds. What rod and reel setups (including line) would you recommend for fishing the kelp beds? I'm especially interested in targeting bass, yellowtails and white seabass. As I said I've never fished the kelp beds before. Is there anyone out there who wouldn't mind taking a newbie under their wings and showing them how it's done? If not can anyone recommend a good guide who could teach me the ropes? Thanks for any and all help! Joe

08-10-2010, 02:36 PM	#3
roadx . Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,155	i dont know what the hell im doing but you can join me this thursday first light. i usually just get some mackerel and drag them around to try and catch a yellow or what ever comes by. __________________

08-11-2010, 09:48 AM	#5
roadx . Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,155	anytime during the weekend works for me, im off this week so normally dont get a chance to do the week day fishing at LJ. switching up tactics tomorrow. see how it goes still targeting yellows __________________

08-11-2010, 12:53 PM	#8
roadx . Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,155	ikrash PM sent i use a citica with a cheap ml rod (waiting for my custom rod) for making bait. like i said before, i dont know what the hell im doing but i know for ME to land a yellow on that rig would be a miracle. __________________

08-10-2010, 08:41 AM	#2
jasonb Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 53	Welcome Joe. Ive been trolling these boards for a bit now and it seems like for the most part everyone on here is very friendly and willing to help people out on the water. If you want a personal guide I've heard/read about Josh Pruitt being great. I heard he once caught a 48 lb WSB from his neighbors backyard swimming pool. Hes THE DARKHORSE in this thread. http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ead.php?t=8015

08-11-2010, 08:32 AM	#4
schwatk Junior Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alpine, CA. Posts: 3	roadx, Thanks for the invite. Unfortunetly I work on Thursdays. Hopefully we can hit the water sometime in the future. Joe

08-11-2010, 12:07 PM	#6
ikrash Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 40	ill be out thus first light...you can join my quest to find the yellows if you'd like

08-11-2010, 02:37 PM	#9
JoeBeck Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 370	I won't be going out until next Sat when my brother is in town. Learning is part of the fun though. Use the search function on this site and you will find a wealth of knowledge about different gear that works well out at the kelp. Try searching for "fishing setup" "JigStick" "Bass Setup" "YT Setup" and so on. If you choose to get a guide that will definitely advance your learning curve. My 1st rig was a Shimono TLD Lever Drag on a 7ft 15-30lb American Custom Rod. Have caught a lot of fish on this set up and it has done well for YT, Halibut, Albacore, RockFish and many other species kayak fishing and fishing from boats it was $200 bucks for the entire setup. The lever Drag is great for trolling the live bait. Now I am partial to the Daiwa Sealines SLX-30SHA and 40SHA, I also go a little heavier on my live bait rod, I believe it is 20-40lb rating, then I have a jigstick, a yoyo setup and then my lighter calico bass/sabiki setup. Still use the TLD lever drag for trolling. If you are on a budget you can find a lot of good deals for used fishing equipment on this forum craigslist and ebay. Last I found books have a lot of great pointers, gear advice, and methods for targeting species and overall are enjoyable to read. Some of my favorite are: In the Gray by Capt. Mark Wisch - This is about fishing out at catalina although he goes into targeting all S. California top species YT, Halibut, WSB, Calico and Barracuda and goes into depth about the gear best suited for each as well at bait selection. Good read even if you never plan to go out to catalina A-Lessons From a Lifetime on the Water by Capt. Mark Wisch - Just a great way to look at fishing Baja Catch By Neil Kelly and Gene Kira - Includes maps of San Diego and has maps of San Diego Bay, Mission Bay, La Jolla. Gear recommendations and bait also what to target during different parts of the year. Great read even if you are not going to Baja. Between Two and Twenty Fathoms by Capt. Mark Wisch - I don't think this book is in print anymore but the San Diego Public Library has a copy. This is about fishing from Point Conception to I believe Dana Point. It includes GPS locations of structures, Sections about the big 5 species (YT, Halibut, Calico, Barracuda and WSB) what to use to catch them when, where to catch them and techniques how to catch them. Also all his books talk about learning to read the water. The Fisherman's Ocean by David Ross: This is about how marine science can help you find and catch fish. It goes into depth about tides and currents and the ever changing ocean.