Thoughts on my set up? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

tak100 · 08-26-2020, 12:33 PM

The Avet MXJ is a bit of overkill but as long as you can cast it effectively it will work. I like to use #40 pound mono. The jigs are moving and the heavier line doesn't seem to make a difference within reason of course. For the same reason the cost of Flouro doesn't seem to be justified and the mono stretch is a little more forgiving.

I personally like to use a short leader that would have your Alberto knot outside of the guides and the leader as long as you are comfortable casting. I have used leaders as short as 20" but I usually like 36" or longer. It is hard to stop and retie a leader when the bite is on. If you need to change lures just cut it off and retie with a shorter leader until you get uncomfortably close to the lure (about 20" for me). Definitely make sure you have extra leader line available if you go this route. If you fishing a long day you may have to put a new one on. The good news is a 100 yd spool will last forever using 5' at a time.

The other option is to use a long leader that will be longer than your normal cast. The Alberto knot (or any other joiner knot for that matter) sometimes get hung up in the guides when casting and everything comes to an abrupt halt. If you are lucky you just get a really nasty birds nest. If you are unlucky you break your line and lose the jig and get a really nasty birds nest.

I usually fish the jig the way it is rigged from the manufacturer, so if it comes with swivel I use it. If comes with a ring I tie directly to the ring.

There are lots of posts here about how to rig for live bait. Your plan looks close enough to work.

Hope that helps.

FullFlavorPike · 08-26-2020, 01:31 PM

With that gear, you are ready to haul in 100# bft

... the yt won't stand a snowball's chance in hell unless you drop that $$$$ accurate over the side and want to cry/never fish again

THe MXJ doesn't make enough drag to really fish 40#. It only does somethig like 9# max at strike. It is more of a 20-30# reel for people on boats who need line capacity at lighter line classes, whereas we can get away with itty bitty teeny tiny reels on kayaks. Fish it with 30# and set it to ~8# drag at strike, then you can give it a little more if you need it.

Some smart person on this forum snaps his sabiki to the ring on his ringed circle hook (use ringed hooks or learn to tie a kreh loop, btw) on his flyline rig, which is pretty darn clever. Just snap the sabiki off when the bait tank is full, et voila.

Sakana Seeker · 08-26-2020, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FullFlavorPike

With that gear, you are ready to haul in 100# bft

... the yt won't stand a snowball's chance in hell unless you drop that $$$$ accurate over the side and want to cry/never fish again

THe MXJ doesn't make enough drag to really fish 40#. It only does somethig like 9# max at strike. It is more of a 20-30# reel for people on boats who need line capacity at lighter line classes, whereas we can get away with itty bitty teeny tiny reels on kayaks. Fish it with 30# and set it to ~8# drag at strike, then you can give it a little more if you need it.

Some smart person on this forum snaps his sabiki to the ring on his ringed circle hook (use ringed hooks or learn to tie a kreh loop, btw) on his flyline rig, which is pretty darn clever. Just snap the sabiki off when the bait tank is full, et voila.

Well you are right. Although I’m hesitant to book an overnight or 2.5 day trip right now b/c of covid, these reels and rigs will hopefully accompany me one day on an offshore trip for BFT (the smaller variety), YFT, YT etc.

As for the price of the reel. Yes, it’s an older model but I know what I have possession of. I’m lucky that a good friend of mine is a 6-pack captain and he gave me this reel on a permanent loan.

Nonetheless, I always leash my rods and put floaters on them too! Can never be too sure!

FISH11 · 08-26-2020, 01:36 PM

65lb braid is perfect. I use fluorocarbon leaders in 30-40 lb ( I prefer 40lb) usually 6'-7' long to a circle or ringed circle hook in 2/0-4/0 size. If tying braid to fluoro or mono, use a uni to uni knot with at least 6 turns on each side. The best option especially since you plan on being able to swap set ups on each rod, is to put a swivel lock snap on the end of the braid so you can change to anything quickly. I always use a Palomar knot at all swivel and hook ends. It the easiest to tie (even blind folded) and never slips. I would make several 6'-7' leaders with small swivels on the line end, so you can change them when you want and have the option of switching hook sized or even dropper loop 3 way swivel. You rather not have to be retying lines on the water instead of fishing. Circle hook are the best, all you have to do is, when the line takes off, just count to 5 or 6 point the rod at the fish and engage the reel in gear and start reeling in. No need to set the hook, it will have done that on it's own, that's how they are designed. The best thing with circle hook is When you use it right they are on the corner of the mouth (best hook set) away from teeth on some toothy fish and if it's not a fish you want to keep, it has no internal damage for a safe release. Good luck.

Salty · 08-26-2020, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FISH11

65lb braid is perfect. I use fluorocarbon leaders in 30-40 lb ( I prefer 40lb) usually 6'-7' long to a circle or ringed circle hook in 2/0-4/0 size. If tying braid to fluoro or mono, use a uni to uni knot with at least 6 turns on each side.

This is pretty much the exact setup I use as far as line and knots. Double-uni on a palomar knot with ringed circle. I have yet to have a double-uni braid-swivel knot fail on me. I've pulled yellowtail and dorado straight through kelp paddies offshore after they belly-flop right into the middle of it and all the knots held up and the fish made it to the deck. back when I was experimenting with the albright, I had 2 fail on me in similar situations. Maybe it's just not a great knot for smaller lines? On my friend's boat, we use the albright on larger BFT setups and haven't had an issue. Either way, when I know there's kelp around and my line might end up around some, I'll step up the leader size and I know I can trust my double-uni/palomar combo!

08-26-2020, 12:33 PM	#1
tak100 Recruit Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 153	The Avet MXJ is a bit of overkill but as long as you can cast it effectively it will work. I like to use #40 pound mono. The jigs are moving and the heavier line doesn't seem to make a difference within reason of course. For the same reason the cost of Flouro doesn't seem to be justified and the mono stretch is a little more forgiving. I personally like to use a short leader that would have your Alberto knot outside of the guides and the leader as long as you are comfortable casting. I have used leaders as short as 20" but I usually like 36" or longer. It is hard to stop and retie a leader when the bite is on. If you need to change lures just cut it off and retie with a shorter leader until you get uncomfortably close to the lure (about 20" for me). Definitely make sure you have extra leader line available if you go this route. If you fishing a long day you may have to put a new one on. The good news is a 100 yd spool will last forever using 5' at a time. The other option is to use a long leader that will be longer than your normal cast. The Alberto knot (or any other joiner knot for that matter) sometimes get hung up in the guides when casting and everything comes to an abrupt halt. If you are lucky you just get a really nasty birds nest. If you are unlucky you break your line and lose the jig and get a really nasty birds nest. I usually fish the jig the way it is rigged from the manufacturer, so if it comes with swivel I use it. If comes with a ring I tie directly to the ring. There are lots of posts here about how to rig for live bait. Your plan looks close enough to work. Hope that helps.

08-26-2020, 01:31 PM	#2
FullFlavorPike Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 811	With that gear, you are ready to haul in 100# bft ... the yt won't stand a snowball's chance in hell unless you drop that $$$$ accurate over the side and want to cry/never fish again THe MXJ doesn't make enough drag to really fish 40#. It only does somethig like 9# max at strike. It is more of a 20-30# reel for people on boats who need line capacity at lighter line classes, whereas we can get away with itty bitty teeny tiny reels on kayaks. Fish it with 30# and set it to ~8# drag at strike, then you can give it a little more if you need it. Some smart person on this forum snaps his sabiki to the ring on his ringed circle hook (use ringed hooks or learn to tie a kreh loop, btw) on his flyline rig, which is pretty darn clever. Just snap the sabiki off when the bait tank is full, et voila.

08-26-2020, 01:36 PM	#4
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,643	65lb braid is perfect. I use fluorocarbon leaders in 30-40 lb ( I prefer 40lb) usually 6'-7' long to a circle or ringed circle hook in 2/0-4/0 size. If tying braid to fluoro or mono, use a uni to uni knot with at least 6 turns on each side. The best option especially since you plan on being able to swap set ups on each rod, is to put a swivel lock snap on the end of the braid so you can change to anything quickly. I always use a Palomar knot at all swivel and hook ends. It the easiest to tie (even blind folded) and never slips. I would make several 6'-7' leaders with small swivels on the line end, so you can change them when you want and have the option of switching hook sized or even dropper loop 3 way swivel. You rather not have to be retying lines on the water instead of fishing. Circle hook are the best, all you have to do is, when the line takes off, just count to 5 or 6 point the rod at the fish and engage the reel in gear and start reeling in. No need to set the hook, it will have done that on it's own, that's how they are designed. The best thing with circle hook is When you use it right they are on the corner of the mouth (best hook set) away from teeth on some toothy fish and if it's not a fish you want to keep, it has no internal damage for a safe release. Good luck. __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids ) Last edited by FISH11; 08-26-2020 at 08:22 PM.