Thoughts on rod lengths/cheaper reels for yakking

[IntrntFshrman]

Man, such awesome responses...I love this community!!

I guess I have to come clean with you guys...

I have a bit of a shark phobia, goes WAYYYYY back to seeing Jaws when I was 11...that's what's making me be chicken s--t to go out. I read about the attack on TWO kayakers off malibu in 1989 and it's really spooked me. I know all the facts/figures but couple this attack with the recent 'upending' of that lady off Catalina (man, that could have been REALLY bad) and I'm just kind of paralyzed to go out there. Also, I'm not a veteran fisherman from the boats moving to a yak, I'm a noob period. I'm afraid of getting out there and doing something really stupid....sooooooooo I guess I'm kinda asking if there's a Sunday in the next few weeks when somebody(s) would like to head out there? I live in Rancho Cucamonga and could get up as early as needed to get to La Jolla (I figure that's the candy store right now, yes?)

Thanks again guys for all the GREAT advice. I hadn't even thought about the spectra backlashes...I'm getting better casting my avets, but am still pretty green. I think straight 40 mono for my 2 speed SX will be the way to go for the 'iron launcher'. Same for the bait rig, for now. I have to admit, I'm a little afraid to bring the 9' out there just yet. It is a BEAUTIFUL set up (maroonish ultra seeker with matching red sx 2 speed---I got my wife to 'allow' it since I switched jobs to be closer to home!!!) and I wouldn't want it to go over.

Lastly, how hard is it to get back on the boat? I'm a big 320 6'3" guy and am a little concerned about that. I think I'll practice it out at Puddingstone b4 I go out. Don't have the balls to actually do it in the ocean!

Again, my sincere thanks to you all for helping me out!

mike collins

[Geoffkoop]

On the weekends there are a ton of kayakers and boaters out there. If there were a shark incident (odds are it wouldnt be with you anyway) there are tons of people nearby. When I first went out there a while back, we saw some threshers jumping out of the water which spooked me pretty good too.

I may go out this sunday, but if not, next weekend for sure. PM me and you can gladly tag along with us....the problem is that you probably wont catch fish with us...at least not the target species anyway.

[forefrazier]

Originally Posted by mikecollins86

I think straight 40 mono for my 2 speed SX will be the way to go for the 'iron launcher'.

Mike, No way that that little SX, as cool as it may be, will hold enough straight 40. It is rated for 220yds of 20lb. I would think you would get only about 100 yrds of 40 on there. If you cast half that, not much left for the first run!

Use at least a 30 size reel if you have it for chucking the iron and keep the SX loaded with 20-25 for your "light" bait rig.

[Whizz Bang]

Mike,

I live in Vista and have been fishing LJ every weekend for the last 6 weeks. I too am a Noob, however, you are welcome to fish with me any time...pm me when you are planning on going, Ill be out there this weekend.

[dsafety]

Back to the subject of inexpensive rods and reels. As a relative noob myself, I believe that it makes sense to start out with moderately priced gear until I know what works best for me.

I shop Craig's List sometimes and have run across a guy named Gerry who sells a lot of very high quality stuff from his garage in Carlsbad. He offers some of the lesser known brands at very reasonable prices. He also sells some the good stuff but so far I have not yet dipped into that pool.

I am not a shill for Gerry so if you are interested, go to Craig's List and search for the stuff you want. He is a regular poster.

Bob

[the dude]

Here's a 25% off coupon for Sports Authority to get you started:

http://img.ed4.net/tsa/images/TSA_20...ges/coupon.pdf

[driftwood]

Great Whites hate the taste of plastic! One bite on the kayak and Mr White will leave you alone and you will have a great topic of conversation for the rest of your life. BTW you have a better chance of getting hit by lighting on a sunny day than getting attacked by a Great White shark. Here is a clip of the best part of the movie and i still LUV IT!

Jaws "

[JrBasser]

"a Great White attacking you is highly unlikely, your chances of dieing in a car acident on the way to La Jolla is 100x higher than a great white trying to eat you. "

I blew a tire on the way to la jolla a week ago and totalled my cherokee. Are you saying I should stay off the water?

[IntrntFshrman]

Thanks everybody for the encouragement, pms and offers. I just started back to school (I teach band so I have no life....) so I don't have much time right now, but I plan on taking one of those guided tours in the fall to go lobster hooping at night and I will DEFINITELY take you guys up on your offers to go out next summer. I'd like to go out on a guided class with Jim Sammons or one of the guys here before I start going out on my own or even with you guys so I don't do 'stupid noob mistake #1,2,3,4,.......'

I'm starting to feel a little better about the shark thing...I still creep out when I see all the pictures of guys holding their fish with their legs dangling in the water though!!

Also, regarding the original issues, I think my Seeker american series rods will do great for the yak. I have 3 jx 2 speeds plus my sx for calicos so I think I'm set.

Last question to you guys though, what are your thoughts on sabiki rigs? It sounds cool to actually get one of those Ahi rigs that OEX cuts down, but I've read of people actually getting hooked up with big fish while making bait...it sounds kind of scary to get hooked up with something like that. Could you get pulled in ont the sabiki rig? I have two nice little trout spinning rods I use for fresh water (4lb test) that I think would do the job nicely, but messily (all the sabiki hooks dangling around)

Anybody have ideas on which is better, how you do it?

Again, thanks for all the great ideas, encouragement...I was tempted to hit you guys up to go out Labor Day weekend, but chickened out and am going out on the Seahorse with some noob friends for an overnighter....plus, I'm 320lbs and REALLY want to be able to get around my stomach (as in see it disappear!) before I trust going out on the open ocean. It's hard for me to open the hatch below me because of my 'Round Table Pizza/Burrito Belly'...

Thanks, again!

Mike in Rancho Cucamonga

[Gino]

Originally Posted by mikecollins86

Man, such awesome responses...I love this community!!

I guess I have to come clean with you guys...

I have a bit of a shark phobia, goes WAYYYYY back to seeing Jaws when I was 11...that's what's making me be chicken s--t to go out. I read about the attack on TWO kayakers off malibu in 1989 and it's really spooked me. I know all the facts/figures but couple this attack with the recent 'upending' of that lady off Catalina (man, that could have been REALLY bad) and I'm just kind of paralyzed to go out there. Also, I'm not a veteran fisherman from the boats moving to a yak, I'm a noob period. I'm afraid of getting out there and doing something really stupid....sooooooooo I guess I'm kinda asking if there's a Sunday in the next few weeks when somebody(s) would like to head out there? I live in Rancho Cucamonga and could get up as early as needed to get to La Jolla (I figure that's the candy store right now, yes?)

Thanks again guys for all the GREAT advice. I hadn't even thought about the spectra backlashes...I'm getting better casting my avets, but am still pretty green. I think straight 40 mono for my 2 speed SX will be the way to go for the 'iron launcher'. Same for the bait rig, for now. I have to admit, I'm a little afraid to bring the 9' out there just yet. It is a BEAUTIFUL set up (maroonish ultra seeker with matching red sx 2 speed---I got my wife to 'allow' it since I switched jobs to be closer to home!!!) and I wouldn't want it to go over.

Lastly, how hard is it to get back on the boat? I'm a big 320 6'3" guy and am a little concerned about that. I think I'll practice it out at Puddingstone b4 I go out. Don't have the balls to actually do it in the ocean!

Again, my sincere thanks to you all for helping me out!

mike collins

The average great white youd see out here in california is maximum 16 feet long. Your Xfactor is 14.5 feet long... a Great White attacking you is highly unlikely, your chances of dieing in a car acident on the way to La Jolla is 100x higher than a great white trying to eat you. Keep that in mind. Theres alot worse things out thier that could make a situation get ugly fast.

As a big guy kayakfishing myself...i know thiers things that get in the way(beer gut!). Also weight capacities and harder paddling is just part of the game.

The X-factor is the best choice...for someone your size DONT GET THE BACK HATCH INSTALLED!! trust me, im the same size as you. its given me nothing but problems.

I now fish out of Ocean Kayak - Prowler Big Game, This kayak is pretty sweet, it turns a whole lot easier than an x-factor. But honestly i miss my x-factor more.

The Avet SX is a little light for 40lb, Im fidnign that out myself, Its a great 20lb reel though. I throw Iron from a damn Shimano Cardiff, spooled with 50lb spectra. i woudlnt take my advice :P

Ulua with a good 40lb avet on it cant be beat for throwing iron. but 7.5 to 8 feet max is all you really need.

Lastly, i was in a situation where i fell off the kayak. Water in december is cold!...and a yact had to fish me out of the water, i was too weak to pull myself up...i was in bad shape. Ive made all the worst mistakes so far!!

Drive on down to Dana Point soemtime and well do some fishing! As a Big guy myself i can help answer any questions you have.

- Gino

[IntrntFshrman]

Sorry guys, I meant I have a JX two speed...