Let’s talk hooping - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

socal.beach.bum · 09-18-2020, 10:50 PM

Never had a chance to go out myself in all my years kayaking but hoping to change that this year.

What size floats do you generally use for your ambush nets? I got a few of the smaller 32” so was wondering if the 11” red and whites were sufficient? Also is 100’ of line overkill?

Mahigeer · 09-19-2020, 07:52 AM

100 feet of rope is not an overkill, but with kayak it is much harder to pull the net than boats.
Thus, I would avoid areas deeper than 100 feet. A great help for kayak is Scotty pull arm.

There are kits available that comes with float, rope, bait cage, etc. Since the rope runs through the bullet shaped float, the weight or size of the net does not matter.
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/prom...se-rigging-kit

Make sure your fishing license number is printed on the float. A reflective tape helps finding the floats in the dark with flashlight.

A powerful flashlight is a must. I forgot to mention it before.

An Ahi green chemical light stick is a good addition to the floats as well.

I learned this from Jim (Saba Slayer) at one of his seminars:
Drill a 3/4" hole long enough at the flat end of the float. The hole should be off-center and close to the edge of the float. Insert a 4 oz. torpedo sinker in the hole. Use a wine cork to plug the hole.
Next, in 180 degrees opposite of the hole location, and on the top of the float (the long way) drill a ½" hole about 3-4” deep. This is where the Ahi Chemical light stick would sit.

The sinker acts as a ballast or keel on a boat. Thus, the light stick is always on top of the float and visible.

There are ways to keep the extra length of the rope from floating and grabbing boat propellers, but they too long to write about.

socal.beach.bum · 09-19-2020, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahigeer

100 feet of rope is not an overkill, but with kayak it is much harder to pull the net than boats.
Thus, I would avoid areas deeper than 100 feet. A great help for kayak is Scotty pull arm.

There are kits available that comes with float, rope, bait cage, etc. Since the rope runs through the bullet shaped float, the weight or size of the net does not matter.
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/prom...se-rigging-kit

Make sure your fishing license number is printed on the float. A reflective tape helps finding the floats in the dark with flashlight.

A powerful flashlight is a must. I forgot to mention it before.

An Ahi green chemical light stick is a good addition to the floats as well.

I learned this from Jim (Saba Slayer) at one of his seminars:
Drill a 3/4" hole long enough at the flat end of the float. The hole should be off-center and close to the edge of the float. Insert a 4 oz. torpedo sinker in the hole. Use a wine cork to plug the hole.
Next, in 180 degrees opposite of the hole location, and on the top of the float (the long way) drill a ½ “hole about 3-4” deep. This is where the Ahi Chemical light stick would sit.

The sinker acts as a ballast or keel on a boat. Thus, the light stick is always on top of the float and visible.

There are ways to keep the extra length of the rope from floating and grabbing boat propellers, but they too long to write about.

Great info thanks 👍

Saba Slayer · 09-19-2020, 11:09 AM

Be sure to read the regs yourself rather than take the advice of others...the DFW fines are pretty steep$$

Saba Slayer · 09-19-2020, 11:32 AM

Rope management is extremely important...

bracks · 09-20-2020, 07:16 AM

How do you ensure you (in the kayak) are visible to boaters? I've used the headlamp before for early morning launches at the Shores but it always seems a bit janky and incomplete.

Mahigeer · 09-20-2020, 09:03 AM

A (5) feet pole with a light on top is a good idea.

I am not sure, but it may be Coast Guard requirement too.

I finally found this video:

https://www.facebook.com/1485504373/...20783382642819

Be sure to read the comments to the right of the video.

I have made two, but not tried them yet.

Jxjones · 09-29-2020, 01:15 PM

Well, I’ve got all of the gear now and am ready to go out for my first hoop net session. The only problem...where to go? I fish La Jolla religiously, so I’m pretty comfortable there, and I know that the commercial folks set there nets there, but is it a common hoop netting spot? The other options - SD or Mission Bay. Any suggestions? I do NOT want anyone’s secret spots, just some direction, pros and cons, etc. Also, if anyone is looking for a partner, DM me. Thanks!

09-19-2020, 07:52 AM	#2
Mahigeer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,910	100 feet of rope is not an overkill, but with kayak it is much harder to pull the net than boats. Thus, I would avoid areas deeper than 100 feet. A great help for kayak is Scotty pull arm. There are kits available that comes with float, rope, bait cage, etc. Since the rope runs through the bullet shaped float, the weight or size of the net does not matter. https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/prom...se-rigging-kit Make sure your fishing license number is printed on the float. A reflective tape helps finding the floats in the dark with flashlight. A powerful flashlight is a must. I forgot to mention it before. An Ahi green chemical light stick is a good addition to the floats as well. I learned this from Jim (Saba Slayer) at one of his seminars: Drill a 3/4" hole long enough at the flat end of the float. The hole should be off-center and close to the edge of the float. Insert a 4 oz. torpedo sinker in the hole. Use a wine cork to plug the hole. Next, in 180 degrees opposite of the hole location, and on the top of the float (the long way) drill a ½" hole about 3-4” deep. This is where the Ahi Chemical light stick would sit. The sinker acts as a ballast or keel on a boat. Thus, the light stick is always on top of the float and visible. There are ways to keep the extra length of the rope from floating and grabbing boat propellers, but they too long to write about. Last edited by Mahigeer; 09-20-2020 at 07:03 AM.

09-29-2020, 01:15 PM	#8
Jxjones Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 47	Where to go? Well, I’ve got all of the gear now and am ready to go out for my first hoop net session. The only problem...where to go? I fish La Jolla religiously, so I’m pretty comfortable there, and I know that the commercial folks set there nets there, but is it a common hoop netting spot? The other options - SD or Mission Bay. Any suggestions? I do NOT want anyone’s secret spots, just some direction, pros and cons, etc. Also, if anyone is looking for a partner, DM me. Thanks!

09-18-2020, 10:50 PM	#1
socal.beach.bum Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Palos Verde, CA Posts: 636	Never had a chance to go out myself in all my years kayaking but hoping to change that this year. What size floats do you generally use for your ambush nets? I got a few of the smaller 32” so was wondering if the 11” red and whites were sufficient? Also is 100’ of line overkill?

09-20-2020, 07:16 AM	#6
bracks Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: La Jolla Posts: 52	How do you ensure you (in the kayak) are visible to boaters? I've used the headlamp before for early morning launches at the Shores but it always seems a bit janky and incomplete.

09-20-2020, 09:03 AM	#7
Mahigeer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,910	A (5) feet pole with a light on top is a good idea. I am not sure, but it may be Coast Guard requirement too. I finally found this video: https://www.facebook.com/1485504373/...20783382642819 Be sure to read the comments to the right of the video. I have made two, but not tried them yet.