tossing iron at yellows - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

carbonbass · 11-08-2011, 10:52 AM

I think this next year I am going to go to LJ for my first time and try to learn about surface iron yellowtail fishing any free tips would be great , also when does this season end and the next begin for surface iron fishing?

RK · 11-08-2011, 10:55 AM

The fish enjoy warm temps and blue sky's mid day.......

They are very high maintenance

taggermike · 11-09-2011, 10:36 AM

I've caught YT on the surface in February. That's not common though. YT began to feed closer to the surface when the water warms in the spring/early summer. 64 degrees is generally the water temp most people agree gets the YT up and feeding. You have some months to get your surface iron outfits together and get get comfortable casting them. It's probably a waist of space on my kayak but I just about always bring a jig stick with me when I fish LJ. I feel sorta naked with out one. Mike

The Kid · 11-09-2011, 11:27 PM

Nothing like lots, and lots of time on the water. Experience is the best teacher, unless you have an experienced teacher. No matter how much reading or asking one may do, the only way to truly understand the plug is to fish with it a lot! It is not going to happen in one day. It takes a long time to understand all of the ins and outs of the holy iron. From picking the rod, the reel, the line, THE JIG, understanding yellowtail behavior, leading fish, casting etc. Take lots of time out of your schedule to dedicate your time or have an expert take the time with you and show you. The latter can save you many, many years of figuring it all out. I do encourage it though! I had to do it all on my own, asked lots of questions, listened and tried several times, most times failing. It is a whole other world from using jig sticks off boats (as I found out), keep at it you may become obsessed for life. I have been living for the jig ever since I picked up one as a little boat brat. Enjoy spending hundreds of dollars for this technique. LOL JK

oneyedeer · 11-10-2011, 07:29 AM

Kid....got a calstar gra 800m and torium 16 what type of line I should put on it?
also have a tn16n for charters what should i put on that?

11-10-2011, 09:37 AM

Well kevin will suggest putting thicker line on, very least 40, probably 60 though. It lays better and wont dig into itself

Chuck D · 11-10-2011, 10:16 AM

I would use 55lb braid backing with maybe 50 yard Topshot of xxx izorline 30lb. It casts very well and never lost a yellow on it. Xxx is a nice limp line for tossing irons.

oneyedeer · 11-10-2011, 12:55 PM

thanks chuck

oneyedeer · 11-10-2011, 12:57 PM

oh how much of braid.....i put on 300yards of 50lb powerpro and it's pretty much to the top.....how much braid should i peel off? how much line is the minimum 200yards?

The Kid · 11-10-2011, 06:17 PM

Top shots are not recommended! What happens is the know will start to creep up on you when you are constantly retying or have backlashes. Then when you get to crunch time and make a great cast the knot gets caught on the guide and bye bye jig. Go with 40 lb Izorline First String or 80lb Power Pro Slick straight up. The latter use a 40 lb flouro leader about 5 ft. I really depends on the iron you are going to be using, but judging by your set up it sounds like you want to throw Tady C's and 45's. If it's Tady C's explicitly then run the lighter stuff the 30 lb or 65lb line respectively.

deepdvr · 11-10-2011, 06:57 PM

Way too much work.

These things are pretty effective.

11-08-2011, 10:52 AM	#1
carbonbass Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 367	tossing iron at yellows I think this next year I am going to go to LJ for my first time and try to learn about surface iron yellowtail fishing any free tips would be great , also when does this season end and the next begin for surface iron fishing?

11-08-2011, 10:55 AM	#2
RK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 736	The fish enjoy warm temps and blue sky's mid day....... They are very high maintenance

11-09-2011, 10:36 AM	#3
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	I've caught YT on the surface in February. That's not common though. YT began to feed closer to the surface when the water warms in the spring/early summer. 64 degrees is generally the water temp most people agree gets the YT up and feeding. You have some months to get your surface iron outfits together and get get comfortable casting them. It's probably a waist of space on my kayak but I just about always bring a jig stick with me when I fish LJ. I feel sorta naked with out one. Mike

11-09-2011, 11:27 PM	#4
The Kid Loves Surface Irons Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 455	Nothing like lots, and lots of time on the water. Experience is the best teacher, unless you have an experienced teacher. No matter how much reading or asking one may do, the only way to truly understand the plug is to fish with it a lot! It is not going to happen in one day. It takes a long time to understand all of the ins and outs of the holy iron. From picking the rod, the reel, the line, THE JIG, understanding yellowtail behavior, leading fish, casting etc. Take lots of time out of your schedule to dedicate your time or have an expert take the time with you and show you. The latter can save you many, many years of figuring it all out. I do encourage it though! I had to do it all on my own, asked lots of questions, listened and tried several times, most times failing. It is a whole other world from using jig sticks off boats (as I found out), keep at it you may become obsessed for life. I have been living for the jig ever since I picked up one as a little boat brat. Enjoy spending hundreds of dollars for this technique. LOL JK

11-10-2011, 07:29 AM	#5
oneyedeer Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Orange County, ca Posts: 684	Kid....got a calstar gra 800m and torium 16 what type of line I should put on it? also have a tn16n for charters what should i put on that?

11-10-2011, 09:37 AM	#6
Drake Guest Posts: n/a	Well kevin will suggest putting thicker line on, very least 40, probably 60 though. It lays better and wont dig into itself

11-10-2011, 10:16 AM	#7
Chuck D Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bay Park Posts: 559	I would use 55lb braid backing with maybe 50 yard Topshot of xxx izorline 30lb. It casts very well and never lost a yellow on it. Xxx is a nice limp line for tossing irons.

11-10-2011, 12:55 PM	#8
oneyedeer Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Orange County, ca Posts: 684	thanks chuck

11-10-2011, 12:57 PM	#9
oneyedeer Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Orange County, ca Posts: 684	oh how much of braid.....i put on 300yards of 50lb powerpro and it's pretty much to the top.....how much braid should i peel off? how much line is the minimum 200yards?

11-10-2011, 06:17 PM	#10
The Kid Loves Surface Irons Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 455	Top shots are not recommended! What happens is the know will start to creep up on you when you are constantly retying or have backlashes. Then when you get to crunch time and make a great cast the knot gets caught on the guide and bye bye jig. Go with 40 lb Izorline First String or 80lb Power Pro Slick straight up. The latter use a 40 lb flouro leader about 5 ft. I really depends on the iron you are going to be using, but judging by your set up it sounds like you want to throw Tady C's and 45's. If it's Tady C's explicitly then run the lighter stuff the 30 lb or 65lb line respectively.

11-10-2011, 06:57 PM	#11
deepdvr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 591	Way too much work. These things are pretty effective.