Newb Fishing questions - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

GkT · 03-31-2015, 10:29 PM

So, as I stated in an introductory in another post, I've fished before, but it was when I was younger, and there was no technique or attention to technology involved. It was much more...grab dusty spinning rod out of garage, put sliding sinker rig on it with some mussel or squid for bait, and chuck it in the lagoon. no thought of rigging, line weight/type, technique, etc. That said, fish were caught.

So now, being older and having the attention span to care about things like having the proper gear, I'm finding there is a huge amount of information and technology that I have no idea about.

I didn't know about braided line, that is COOL.
I knew what flouro was but never what it was for.
I never used anything but spinning reels until now---baitcasters are cool!
A fishing rod was a fishing rod, that was that. Never thought about action/weight/composition etc. Same with reels.
and the list goes on...

I had the local tackle dude set me up with his suggestions for a decent bay/lagoon Bass setup. I ended up with a 7'6 Shimano Sellus rod (freshwater? didnt know till i did some research at home afterwards) and an Abu Garcia BMAX2, Spooled with 30lb braid and a lighter (15lb?) mono leader. Seemed logical enough for me. Seems like braided line is the new standard.

I'm assuming that an offshore (say if I was to be going after bigger stuff, YT, WSB, etc) would just be a heavier version of this combo?

There are tons of conventional/baitcasting reels. Different sizes, brands, models. Is there ones to stay away from? or a go-to standard?
Am I destined to be paying $600 for a dependable combo? or can you get away with moderately priced stuff. ( I very much believe in 'you get what you pay for' but there are exceptions)

I'm just trying to get my head around all this technology and terminology that is all new. I also don't want to get taken for a ride on buying a bunch of expensive crap if I'm not gonna be using it, or I can get away with paying a little less.

I tried searching for some of these questions, but these seem pretty broad, all the answers I found were very specific to one particular brand of something or another. So sorry if this is a repeat post. I TRIED

fishnfoool · 03-31-2015, 10:52 PM

Just ask what you are looking to do and I can make some suggestions and maybe others too. I don't know all the answers, but I can at least give you a start. As far as fishing gear goes, you can get very good gear for less than you would think.

GkT · 03-31-2015, 11:07 PM

Sorry that last post was a lot of exposition. I'm buying a kayak, gonna be using it for fishing , sticking to bays and lagoons till i get comfortable with both fishing and paddling, and then hopefully graduate to more open water stuff and find a buddy to take me out and show me the ropes.

Trying to get my head around all the gear. what are gòod reel brands/models, what sizes do you use for bay vs ocean, how are the different rod weights/actions affecting what they're for, etc.

Im not looking for a setup i.e. "what rod/reel combo and what line is good for catching YT at LJ" , more like what is the basic theory behind rod specs, reel specs and line types so i can go out and make an informed purchase.

fishnfoool · 03-31-2015, 11:28 PM

For reel specs, I would recommend looking at the drag ratings. You always want a reel that can handle the fish you are targeting. Speed ratio of the reel is also important depending on type of fishing you are doing.

Rods. Bigger and stronger fish, you will want heavier ratings. Rod should be able to handle the line rating you need for the fish you are targeting.

As far as line goes. I only have one suggestion for braid and flouro carbon. Daiwa samaurai for the braid and seaguar premier for the flouro carbon.

Daiwa and Okuma have some pretty good reels and rods for lower prices. Of course these two are not the only brands out there. But in the future if you give me a price range for combo and what you are looking to do and catch, I can lead you closer to and exact combo.

taggermike · 04-01-2015, 08:48 AM

If you're already comfortable with it there's plenty of spinning gear that is great for bay and lagoon fishing. And a vast and confusing array of baitcasters, as you're discovering. If you stick with shamano and daiwa its hard to go wrong. Both make quality reels in lots of sizes and all price points. For bay fishing a small reel is fine. You put braid on it and you'll have plenty of capacity. For rods I prefer some thing fast action with a high graphite content. An out fit I have and really like is a shimano caenan on and old shimano V rod. Works great, is light weight, and was affordable. I'm also still using a shimano bantem that has to be 30 years old. 1 bearing, one bushing, and going strong. Let us know what kind of fishing you're planning to do and I'm sure the wealth of info and experience on this board can steer you in the right direction. Mike

GkT · 04-01-2015, 12:09 PM

Yeah im liking the baitcasters! A little learning curve but you have so much control once you get the hang of it. I think the srt up i have now will be fine for bay bass fishing, but i know as soon as im comfy on this boat im gonna want to get out to the bigger fish. For YT and the like im assuming a bigger size reel, heavier rod ( what lengths are good?) And a heavier line and leader? 60# braid?

03-31-2015, 10:29 PM	#1
GkT Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 42	Newb Fishing questions So, as I stated in an introductory in another post, I've fished before, but it was when I was younger, and there was no technique or attention to technology involved. It was much more...grab dusty spinning rod out of garage, put sliding sinker rig on it with some mussel or squid for bait, and chuck it in the lagoon. no thought of rigging, line weight/type, technique, etc. That said, fish were caught. So now, being older and having the attention span to care about things like having the proper gear, I'm finding there is a huge amount of information and technology that I have no idea about. I didn't know about braided line, that is COOL. I knew what flouro was but never what it was for. I never used anything but spinning reels until now---baitcasters are cool! A fishing rod was a fishing rod, that was that. Never thought about action/weight/composition etc. Same with reels. and the list goes on... I had the local tackle dude set me up with his suggestions for a decent bay/lagoon Bass setup. I ended up with a 7'6 Shimano Sellus rod (freshwater? didnt know till i did some research at home afterwards) and an Abu Garcia BMAX2, Spooled with 30lb braid and a lighter (15lb?) mono leader. Seemed logical enough for me. Seems like braided line is the new standard. I'm assuming that an offshore (say if I was to be going after bigger stuff, YT, WSB, etc) would just be a heavier version of this combo? There are tons of conventional/baitcasting reels. Different sizes, brands, models. Is there ones to stay away from? or a go-to standard? Am I destined to be paying $600 for a dependable combo? or can you get away with moderately priced stuff. ( I very much believe in 'you get what you pay for' but there are exceptions) I'm just trying to get my head around all this technology and terminology that is all new. I also don't want to get taken for a ride on buying a bunch of expensive crap if I'm not gonna be using it, or I can get away with paying a little less. I tried searching for some of these questions, but these seem pretty broad, all the answers I found were very specific to one particular brand of something or another. So sorry if this is a repeat post. I TRIED

03-31-2015, 10:52 PM	#2
fishnfoool Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Long beach Posts: 298	just ask Just ask what you are looking to do and I can make some suggestions and maybe others too. I don't know all the answers, but I can at least give you a start. As far as fishing gear goes, you can get very good gear for less than you would think.

03-31-2015, 11:28 PM	#4
fishnfoool Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Long beach Posts: 298	Recommendations For reel specs, I would recommend looking at the drag ratings. You always want a reel that can handle the fish you are targeting. Speed ratio of the reel is also important depending on type of fishing you are doing. Rods. Bigger and stronger fish, you will want heavier ratings. Rod should be able to handle the line rating you need for the fish you are targeting. As far as line goes. I only have one suggestion for braid and flouro carbon. Daiwa samaurai for the braid and seaguar premier for the flouro carbon. Daiwa and Okuma have some pretty good reels and rods for lower prices. Of course these two are not the only brands out there. But in the future if you give me a price range for combo and what you are looking to do and catch, I can lead you closer to and exact combo.

03-31-2015, 11:07 PM	#3
GkT Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 42	Sorry that last post was a lot of exposition. I'm buying a kayak, gonna be using it for fishing , sticking to bays and lagoons till i get comfortable with both fishing and paddling, and then hopefully graduate to more open water stuff and find a buddy to take me out and show me the ropes. Trying to get my head around all the gear. what are gòod reel brands/models, what sizes do you use for bay vs ocean, how are the different rod weights/actions affecting what they're for, etc. Im not looking for a setup i.e. "what rod/reel combo and what line is good for catching YT at LJ" , more like what is the basic theory behind rod specs, reel specs and line types so i can go out and make an informed purchase.

04-01-2015, 08:48 AM	#5
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	If you're already comfortable with it there's plenty of spinning gear that is great for bay and lagoon fishing. And a vast and confusing array of baitcasters, as you're discovering. If you stick with shamano and daiwa its hard to go wrong. Both make quality reels in lots of sizes and all price points. For bay fishing a small reel is fine. You put braid on it and you'll have plenty of capacity. For rods I prefer some thing fast action with a high graphite content. An out fit I have and really like is a shimano caenan on and old shimano V rod. Works great, is light weight, and was affordable. I'm also still using a shimano bantem that has to be 30 years old. 1 bearing, one bushing, and going strong. Let us know what kind of fishing you're planning to do and I'm sure the wealth of info and experience on this board can steer you in the right direction. Mike

04-01-2015, 12:09 PM	#6
GkT Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 42	Yeah im liking the baitcasters! A little learning curve but you have so much control once you get the hang of it. I think the srt up i have now will be fine for bay bass fishing, but i know as soon as im comfy on this boat im gonna want to get out to the bigger fish. For YT and the like im assuming a bigger size reel, heavier rod ( what lengths are good?) And a heavier line and leader? 60# braid?