Rod & reel setup for a noob? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

njovin · 05-07-2009, 10:53 AM

Just started 'yak fishing last year. So far have stuck to the bays and using real small tackle just to fish for spotties and halibut. This year I'm looking to get out to the kelp and chase the tuna.

I am a NOVICE fisherman. I've been reading up on what bait and rigs to use, but what should I be looking for in a decent rod & reel setup that can handle some bigger fish? I know almost nothing about rods and reels for fishing open water, so any help you pros can through my way would be greatly appreciated.

Bryantfish · 05-07-2009, 06:10 PM

that's a really good question I would like to know my self...

taggermike · 05-07-2009, 06:43 PM

I don't know if I'm a pro but I have been at this for a while. Your question might be broader than you know. There are many styles of local kayak fishing. Live bait, heavy and light irons, and plastic are some. some techniques require specialized equipment. There are also plenty of fish species to target locally as well. There isn't one out fit that will do every thing perfectly. Eventually if you continue ocean yak fishing you will need a few more out fits, but to start out you might want to concider a 7' rod rated for 20-30 lb line and a conventional reel to match it. A basic Penn stroker or power rod with a Penn 500 reel will get you started and you can catch about every thing you can hook locally with it. If your budget is higher there are loads of great rods and reels available in the same line ratings. For summer/fall fishing most of my better fish, yellow tail are my usual target, have been caught slow trolling live bait with a rod the size of the one I recomended. It would be a bit heavy for throwing plastic baits and too light and short for surface irons but it will work for most bait fishing and trolling. That's a start. Mike

JrBasser · 05-07-2009, 06:57 PM

You can't go wrong with a penn jigmaster 500 and a seeker american live bait 7 foot rod. 30 pound blue izor line and you can fish pretty much any technique and this will handle almost any fish you run into. The combo can run you about $150 if you find deals. Sports authority usually has good sales on the rod as well as the reel.

njovin · 05-07-2009, 08:15 PM

That's exactly the kind of start I was looking for, thanks a lot for the advice. I'd mainly like to start learning to fish yellowtail, now I know what gear to start with.

See you out there!

steveooo · 05-07-2009, 08:57 PM

Welcome to the sport and the board. For what it's worth, yellowtail are not tuna, they are part of the Jack family. Pretty common confusion. Last year, yellowfin tuna were close enough to get a good shot on a kayak, but I don't think anyone locally got some off the yak.
I would encourage you to get involved in the MLPA process as well. It is a very real possibility that our fishing grounds are going to be shut down. Now is the time that it is important to get involved to try to save what is important to us. There is strength in numbers and persistance. Check out the info on other threads of when and where meetings will be held.
See you on the water.

T-Rex · 05-17-2009, 10:08 AM

The Penn Sabre should work fine. I've had a Penn Sabre 8' jig stick for 4 years and it's held up o.k., but the guides are very prone to corrosion. Just be sure to rinse it well with fresh water after each use.

RASTAn · 05-24-2009, 12:59 PM

jig master without a doubt. they are cheap, bullet proof and, with new line will handle some pretty decent fish.

05-07-2009, 10:53 AM	#1
njovin Junior Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 11	Rod & reel setup for a noob? Just started 'yak fishing last year. So far have stuck to the bays and using real small tackle just to fish for spotties and halibut. This year I'm looking to get out to the kelp and chase the tuna. I am a NOVICE fisherman. I've been reading up on what bait and rigs to use, but what should I be looking for in a decent rod & reel setup that can handle some bigger fish? I know almost nothing about rods and reels for fishing open water, so any help you pros can through my way would be greatly appreciated.

05-07-2009, 06:10 PM	#2
Bryantfish Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 60	that's a really good question I would like to know my self...

05-07-2009, 06:43 PM	#3
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	I don't know if I'm a pro but I have been at this for a while. Your question might be broader than you know. There are many styles of local kayak fishing. Live bait, heavy and light irons, and plastic are some. some techniques require specialized equipment. There are also plenty of fish species to target locally as well. There isn't one out fit that will do every thing perfectly. Eventually if you continue ocean yak fishing you will need a few more out fits, but to start out you might want to concider a 7' rod rated for 20-30 lb line and a conventional reel to match it. A basic Penn stroker or power rod with a Penn 500 reel will get you started and you can catch about every thing you can hook locally with it. If your budget is higher there are loads of great rods and reels available in the same line ratings. For summer/fall fishing most of my better fish, yellow tail are my usual target, have been caught slow trolling live bait with a rod the size of the one I recomended. It would be a bit heavy for throwing plastic baits and too light and short for surface irons but it will work for most bait fishing and trolling. That's a start. Mike

05-07-2009, 06:57 PM	#4
JrBasser Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 260	You can't go wrong with a penn jigmaster 500 and a seeker american live bait 7 foot rod. 30 pound blue izor line and you can fish pretty much any technique and this will handle almost any fish you run into. The combo can run you about $150 if you find deals. Sports authority usually has good sales on the rod as well as the reel.

05-07-2009, 08:15 PM	#5
njovin Junior Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 11	That's exactly the kind of start I was looking for, thanks a lot for the advice. I'd mainly like to start learning to fish yellowtail, now I know what gear to start with. See you out there!

05-07-2009, 08:57 PM	#6
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,921	Welcome to the sport and the board. For what it's worth, yellowtail are not tuna, they are part of the Jack family. Pretty common confusion. Last year, yellowfin tuna were close enough to get a good shot on a kayak, but I don't think anyone locally got some off the yak. I would encourage you to get involved in the MLPA process as well. It is a very real possibility that our fishing grounds are going to be shut down. Now is the time that it is important to get involved to try to save what is important to us. There is strength in numbers and persistance. Check out the info on other threads of when and where meetings will be held. See you on the water.

05-17-2009, 10:08 AM	#7
T-Rex Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita Posts: 770	The Penn Sabre should work fine. I've had a Penn Sabre 8' jig stick for 4 years and it's held up o.k., but the guides are very prone to corrosion. Just be sure to rinse it well with fresh water after each use.

05-24-2009, 12:59 PM	#8
RASTAn Junior Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 13	jig master without a doubt. they are cheap, bullet proof and, with new line will handle some pretty decent fish.