YellowTail Set up - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

addicted2sp33d · 03-03-2015, 08:27 AM

+1 for Fishaholic.

For the reel, make sure you have sufficient line capacity, and the drag is capable of fighting the fish the way you want to fight the fish.

For the rod, pick something that has some backbone to it, and where you can reach the tip around the bow or stern of your kayak without releasing your grip (in case the fish goes under your boat).

For me, this means a Shimano Corvalus 401 with an 8' Shimano TDR Medium Heavy with 50lb PowerPro because:

Some vanity - I wasn't a big fan of the flashy gold Cardiff
Enough Line capacity to go DEEP fishing off Catalina when needed
Relatively low profile for such high line capacity
It is my "one rig to fish them all" setup.

This setup has landed Medium-sized Yellowtail (I have yet to hook up a 20lb+ yellow), Rockfish, countless bass, countless Bonito, large bat rays, large guitarfish, and one very mean ~5' Angel Shark.

After a 60+ Bonito day in 2014, I upgraded the drags to CarbonTex because the OEM drag washers started slipping towards the end of the day.

I think most guys here use heavier gear... I suppose I like to give the fish more of a fighting chance.

03-03-2015, 08:27 AM	#7
addicted2sp33d Here fishy fishy fishy... Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 774	+1 for Fishaholic. For the reel, make sure you have sufficient line capacity, and the drag is capable of fighting the fish the way you want to fight the fish. For the rod, pick something that has some backbone to it, and where you can reach the tip around the bow or stern of your kayak without releasing your grip (in case the fish goes under your boat). For me, this means a Shimano Corvalus 401 with an 8' Shimano TDR Medium Heavy with 50lb PowerPro because: Some vanity - I wasn't a big fan of the flashy gold Cardiff Enough Line capacity to go DEEP fishing off Catalina when needed Relatively low profile for such high line capacity It is my "one rig to fish them all" setup. This setup has landed Medium-sized Yellowtail (I have yet to hook up a 20lb+ yellow), Rockfish, countless bass, countless Bonito, large bat rays, large guitarfish, and one very mean ~5' Angel Shark. After a 60+ Bonito day in 2014, I upgraded the drags to CarbonTex because the OEM drag washers started slipping towards the end of the day. I think most guys here use heavier gear... I suppose I like to give the fish more of a fighting chance.