How-To Fish the Kelp

[bus kid]

4 to 6 inch MC swimbait or Big hammer on a Warbaits slayer head smothered in unibutter, throw it in deep and roll it in slow.

[captnblood34]

Thanks bus, just working the surface eh? Is there a method for fishing bass deep?

[bus kid]

Originally Posted by captnblood34

Thanks bus, just working the surface eh? Is there a method for fishing bass deep?

6 inch plastic on 3 oz of lead let it drop and wind it in.

[JeffB]

I like to trailer 3/4oz- 1 1/2oz warbaits with 6" grubs. I will either jig them down deep,or cast them out as far as I can parallel with the kelp and into the current. I will let it sink down about 15'-20' and swim it back slowly. This is one technique that has produced the most and biggest Calico's for me. Also I like to bounce 5"-6" swim baits around the outsides of the kelp and shallow rock piles for Calico's and sandies. I found 50-65lb braid with a 20lb floro leader spliced by an Albright knot is an awesome combo.

Originally Posted by JeffB

I like to trailer 3/4oz- 1 1/2oz warbaits with 6" grubs. I will either jig them down deep,or cast them out as far as I can parallel with the kelp and into the current. I will let it sink down about 15'-20' and swim it back slowly. This is one technique that has produced the most and biggest Calico's for me. Also I like to bounce 5"-6" swim baits around the outsides of the kelp and shallow rock piles for Calico's and sandies. I found 50-65lb braid with a 20lb floro leader spliced by an Albright knot is an awesome combo.

I do the same thing but use 12lb leader just in case they are a litle line shy.

[kixchad]

There's no need to get to the bottom super quick either. With a good pair of polarized, you can sometimes see calicos hunting up high, or find them biting mid level. I like to start at the top and count a few more seconds each time I drop before the retrieve.

[Jimmyz123]

I sometimes like to pull up to some big kelp and tie on, and then drop to the bottom and basically do a Yo-Yo with them as well. I have had some good results with that. Biggest Calico I've ever caught was taken this way.

[HiLife619]

Hey Jimmy I was wondering about tying off to a kelp so you dont drift away...do you use a clamp? if so where do you get those clamps at? just wondering because clamping into the kelp is good for when u find that honey hole with for instance sheephead...

[Nic D]

Originally Posted by Jimmyz123

I sometimes like to pull up to some big kelp and tie on, and then drop to the bottom and basically do a Yo-Yo with them as well. I have had some good results with that. Biggest Calico I've ever caught was taken this way.

while bass fishing never tie up to the kelp for two reasons:

1) calicos are structure orientated fish and are using that kelp to hide in. When you start pulling on that kelp its going to send vibrations down the stalk and spook the bass.

2) the name of the game is covering water. tying up makes you stationary.

Seabass fishing is another story...

good luck,


and I never ever fish anything less than 30lb fluoro, most of the time 40 or straight spectra.
Nic