Thoughts on rod lengths/cheaper reels for yakking - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

JrBasser · 08-15-2009, 11:30 AM

"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 · 08-24-2009, 01:04 PM

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

Billy V · 08-24-2009, 01:21 PM

My hands down favorite rod/reel set up for Kayak Fishing is:

A 7 ft. Graftech 20-30 Rod with a Diawa Sealine X 40 HA 5:1 Reel.

This combination weighs almost nothing, super light, but strong enough to handle good size Thresher Shark, all size Yellowtail, BSB, WSB and anything La Jolla Has to offer.

This year I had my share of speed demon hook ups on threshers and the drags held up fine.
I recently swapped out the stock drags for Carbotex Carbon Fiber Drags and the reel performs even better.

The rod retails for $169, but periodically go on sale for $135.
They were ON Sale Big Time at last years Fred Hall Show for $99

The Reel is typically $120. Spool it up with 30 lb P-Line Mono and your Good to Go for Most Everything.
-Except fishing directly in the kelp. You will need Spectra for that.

Whizz Bang · 08-24-2009, 02:52 PM

Mike,

I bought my kayak about 8 or 9 weeks ago. Before that, I was the guy who fished the cattleboats a measly 6 times a season. Often, I would have one of the deckhands tie my hook for me. Pathetic. 9 weeks ago I "stumbled" across the niche sport of kayak fishing and my life changed. I went to Ric at OEX Kearny and told him I needed everything. He talked me through it every step of the way. I owe Ric big time and he has my loyalty as a return customer forever.
I then bought my gear rods/reels/tackle and started teaching myself how to fish. I became addicted to the various sites dedicated to this sport and have read every article posted on 'How to Catch ____' (fill in the species) at least twice. I have never fished the bay. My first time on my kayak, or any kayak, was at La Jolla. With the exception of one fruitless morning at coronado, La Jolla is the only place Ive ever launched.

The only thing you should be concerned about is dumping your rig at the launch. That is really the most probable concern you have. No one likes to lose gear.

I think we need to take the mystique out of this whole La Jolla/ocean thing. My offer is still open to take you out. I understand your concerns about being in shape, however, great fishing can be had from a very comfortable distance/easy paddle from the launch. How about this weekend? I have been logging alot of hours out there recently. Most of them fruitless, but I promise not to laugh, anything you could do Ive probably already done it. In fact we can start the am with a couple of practice launches and a self rescue (no gear) if that would increase the comfort level.

Now for the Sabiki rig: I have the chopped version and it works great. If I could go back and do it again, I would go with the longer version. It is a pain to have to trim down the sabiki rig to fit the length. I can only really fish 3-4 hooks. I have never had anything bigger than a bonito chase my bait...but the only concern is that you would break your sabiki rig, not the rod. Honestly, I pray for the day that big fish are crashing my sabiki....that would be one epic day of fishing.

I now know what Ive been missing, and it kills me to see someone standing on the sidelines and hesitating...DO IT! PM me and lets go.

yakrider · 08-24-2009, 04:36 PM

You bought the Avets to use...
use them...
I fish with Trinidads at La Jolla and everywhere else I fish
boat, kayak...it's all the same...
If the surf is questionable...I stow on launch...
and no matter what the conditions...
I always stow on landing...
the reels come off the rods and go into a drybag
and go inside the kayak all the time...
then get rinsed off at home...
use the good stuff...
it's way more fun...
you own it...
use it...

Whizz Bang · 08-28-2009, 04:31 AM

I just got a PM. Im taking Mike out Saturday. Hes finally gonna do it.

I can just see the tour now. And over here I saw one of Josh's clients take a big one. Over there I saw another one josh's clients take one. Over there I saw a picture of one of Joshs clients holding one........

Billy V · 08-28-2009, 12:13 PM

Take your kayak wheels for the return trip from the launch, Saturday is always crowded. Bring your hot weather gear and stay hydrated.

Catch a Big One.

08-24-2009, 01:04 PM	#2
IntrntFshrman Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Posts: 82	thanks guys! 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

08-24-2009, 02:52 PM	#4
Whizz Bang Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 396	Mike, lets go fishing this weekend! Mike, I bought my kayak about 8 or 9 weeks ago. Before that, I was the guy who fished the cattleboats a measly 6 times a season. Often, I would have one of the deckhands tie my hook for me. Pathetic. 9 weeks ago I "stumbled" across the niche sport of kayak fishing and my life changed. I went to Ric at OEX Kearny and told him I needed everything. He talked me through it every step of the way. I owe Ric big time and he has my loyalty as a return customer forever. I then bought my gear rods/reels/tackle and started teaching myself how to fish. I became addicted to the various sites dedicated to this sport and have read every article posted on 'How to Catch ____' (fill in the species) at least twice. I have never fished the bay. My first time on my kayak, or any kayak, was at La Jolla. With the exception of one fruitless morning at coronado, La Jolla is the only place Ive ever launched. The only thing you should be concerned about is dumping your rig at the launch. That is really the most probable concern you have. No one likes to lose gear. I think we need to take the mystique out of this whole La Jolla/ocean thing. My offer is still open to take you out. I understand your concerns about being in shape, however, great fishing can be had from a very comfortable distance/easy paddle from the launch. How about this weekend? I have been logging alot of hours out there recently. Most of them fruitless, but I promise not to laugh, anything you could do Ive probably already done it. In fact we can start the am with a couple of practice launches and a self rescue (no gear) if that would increase the comfort level. Now for the Sabiki rig: I have the chopped version and it works great. If I could go back and do it again, I would go with the longer version. It is a pain to have to trim down the sabiki rig to fit the length. I can only really fish 3-4 hooks. I have never had anything bigger than a bonito chase my bait...but the only concern is that you would break your sabiki rig, not the rod. Honestly, I pray for the day that big fish are crashing my sabiki....that would be one epic day of fishing. I now know what Ive been missing, and it kills me to see someone standing on the sidelines and hesitating...DO IT! PM me and lets go.

08-15-2009, 11:30 AM	#1
JrBasser Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 260	What're you trying to say gino? "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?

08-24-2009, 01:21 PM	#3
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	My hands down favorite rod/reel set up for Kayak Fishing is: A 7 ft. Graftech 20-30 Rod with a Diawa Sealine X 40 HA 5:1 Reel. This combination weighs almost nothing, super light, but strong enough to handle good size Thresher Shark, all size Yellowtail, BSB, WSB and anything La Jolla Has to offer. This year I had my share of speed demon hook ups on threshers and the drags held up fine. I recently swapped out the stock drags for Carbotex Carbon Fiber Drags and the reel performs even better. The rod retails for $169, but periodically go on sale for $135. They were ON Sale Big Time at last years Fred Hall Show for $99 The Reel is typically $120. Spool it up with 30 lb P-Line Mono and your Good to Go for Most Everything. -Except fishing directly in the kelp. You will need Spectra for that.

08-24-2009, 04:36 PM	#5
yakrider Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 611	You bought the Avets to use... use them... I fish with Trinidads at La Jolla and everywhere else I fish boat, kayak...it's all the same... If the surf is questionable...I stow on launch... and no matter what the conditions... I always stow on landing... the reels come off the rods and go into a drybag and go inside the kayak all the time... then get rinsed off at home... use the good stuff... it's way more fun... you own it... use it...

08-28-2009, 04:31 AM	#6
Whizz Bang Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 396	I just got a PM. Im taking Mike out Saturday. Hes finally gonna do it. I can just see the tour now. And over here I saw one of Josh's clients take a big one. Over there I saw another one josh's clients take one. Over there I saw a picture of one of Joshs clients holding one........

08-28-2009, 12:13 PM	#7
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	Take your kayak wheels for the return trip from the launch, Saturday is always crowded. Bring your hot weather gear and stay hydrated. Catch a Big One.