Trash Fish

[roby]

If you used a 7/0 circle hook, a big bait, a high modulus graphite rod and
200 feet of no stretch spectra/braid and only tighten up when you feel a
big headshake bite, you wouldn't catch little ones.

If you fish the 2 oz plastics, and only set the hook when the BIG THUMP
happens, you get keepers. In order to feel what is happening with
your rig, you HAVE to have spectra/braided line and a quality graphite
rod.

Great info...thanks for sharing.

I do not ever jig big Irons on the bottom, that just kills little fish.

If you don't mind, can you elaborate on the above statement. When I use jigs for rockfish I typically get bigger sized rockfish...

[blackcloud9]

Originally Posted by roby

Great info...thanks for sharing.

If you don't mind, can you elaborate on the above statement. When I use jigs for rockfish I typically get bigger sized rockfish...

Thanks for the comment Roby. Great point.

My question would be: do you get ONLY bigger sized rockfish on the iron?

If so, keep at it!

I'm sure others will agree that the La Jolla area seems to be chock full of
smaller/baby rockfish schools - which I work hard to avoid catching. My
tackle preferences are focused on NOT catching 'whatever bites', but,
attempting to have patience until a larger model finds my offering.

So, while jigs can be very effective down deep, I'm sure everyone has
seen the four inch rockfish that get impaled on treble hooks of the 7-inch
irons. I have seen too many. Sometimes through the eyes, or snagged in
the stomach or gills. This is caused by using the usual indiscriminate
'jigging' action on the iron near the bottom. The same happens with using
J hooks and constant hooksets at every nibble.

If you are fishing someplace like Mexico: Colonet or San Martin on a 1.5
day trip where even the smaller fish are two pound class, then it can be
worthwhile. And sometimes you hit a rock locally where they are all good
sized fish and you're home free to fish whatever.

To summarize, I'm voluntarily limiting myself to eliminate the smaller
bycatch as much as possible. Since I prefer to use smaller, lighter reels
and rods for 'sport' anyway, its not the right tackle to fish a big iron.
Megabaits can be great, but again I'd be catching 'whatever bites' ...
big or small.

Hope that helps.

[dwntwnall4u]

Thank you very much for you great informative videos. What kind of set-up do you use, if you don't mind?

[da22y]

Great info !
I am buying size 7 circle hook to avoid baby fish today....

Thanks

[blackcloud9]

@dwntwnall4u
I use basically a dropper loop rig with a 4 oz weight, depending on the
amount of current.

Today, I hit up an old favorite rock for nine La Jolla style cookie cutter
Reds, since I already had a big Treefish in the bag. Three miles offshore in
15 mph of wind. Gotta love the mirage drive out there.

Also got a bunch of macks for bug bait.

I'm working on the video, but its pretty bland and I had to go with medium
sized rod and more weight due to the current and wind conditions and was
fishing over 150 feet deep. Fishfinder and GPS are crucial in this type of
fishing.

[yaksailor]

Nice!

Not sure about the sheepshead, but the rockfish are definitely not trash to me. The browns and shallow water RF seem to have even clearer, white meat compared to the vermillion, IMHO. More fun and less winding, too.