Line and reel recommendations for LJ and inshore - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

taggermike · 04-21-2016, 12:15 PM

I don't use spinners in LJ so I can't comment much on the reel. But I'd ditch the 30 braid n 20 mono idea and go with 50 or 65 lb braid. That way you can fish a wider range of leader weights. I don't even bring 20 lb leader any more, just 30 and 40. LJ is a rough neighborhood; kelp, dogs, sports boats, crazy skiff guys, anchor ropes and the longer the fish is on the line the lower chances of landing it are. Mike

m7vasque · 04-21-2016, 12:33 PM

x2 on 30/40lb leader w/ 50/65 braid.

Check out the last 30 seconds of this video...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v4kTwr3UqE

FishFighterSD · 06-25-2016, 12:07 PM

Great vid and valuable information. Thanks for taking the time to share, taggermike, M7Vasque, Addicted2sp, YakDout, Paquina, Phisphood, Pingpangdang, all valuable info, that saved me from making the wrong purchase. I went with a Seagate baitcaster #60 braid/#40 topshot mono, and use my jig master 500 for my #30lb set up. Again thanks for taking the time to weigh in, your info is appreciated.

FishFighterSD · 06-11-2016, 05:18 PM

Thanks very much Mike. Valuable info.

maquinapescado · 06-11-2016, 08:16 PM

I run #80 braid, same diameter as #16 mono, on fathom 30's. I have some other reels with #65. #30-40 top shot for the day and #50-60 for the night shift.

taggermike · 06-12-2016, 08:59 AM

I don't use spinners very often in LJ. But if youre more comfortable with them there are certainly many that would work well

Like the other posters said, 20 lb is too light for yt in LJ. LA Jolla can be a very rough neighborhood. Kelp, dogs, anchor lines, crowds, lobster trap lines in that season. As well as the fact that yt are incredably strong fish with a good ability to find structure. The longer you fight the fish the better the chances are that some will go wrong.

I'd recommend going with 65 lb braid, the original rough thin stuff to cut kelp rather than the newer "slick" stuff. Then a short leader, 5' or so, of 30 or 40 lb fluoro. 40 or higher can be very difficult to break off if/when you get hung up on the bottom.

Lastly I'd highly recommend using a lever drag for live bait fishing. LDs generally have stronger and smoother drags. But beyond that LDs let you easily set the tension on the spool when trolling a big frisky mackerel. I've found with a star drag the clicker will slip and click the whole time you're trolling. And since the reels only a few feet away from my ear it drives me crazy. Mike

04-21-2016, 12:15 PM	#1
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	I don't use spinners in LJ so I can't comment much on the reel. But I'd ditch the 30 braid n 20 mono idea and go with 50 or 65 lb braid. That way you can fish a wider range of leader weights. I don't even bring 20 lb leader any more, just 30 and 40. LJ is a rough neighborhood; kelp, dogs, sports boats, crazy skiff guys, anchor ropes and the longer the fish is on the line the lower chances of landing it are. Mike

04-21-2016, 12:33 PM	#2
m7vasque Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Encinitas, Ca Posts: 36	x2 on 30/40lb leader w/ 50/65 braid. Check out the last 30 seconds of this video... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v4kTwr3UqE

06-25-2016, 12:07 PM	#3
FishFighterSD Junior Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Oceanside Posts: 11	Great vid and valuable information. Thanks for taking the time to share, taggermike, M7Vasque, Addicted2sp, YakDout, Paquina, Phisphood, Pingpangdang, all valuable info, that saved me from making the wrong purchase. I went with a Seagate baitcaster #60 braid/#40 topshot mono, and use my jig master 500 for my #30lb set up. Again thanks for taking the time to weigh in, your info is appreciated.

06-11-2016, 05:18 PM	#4
FishFighterSD Junior Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Oceanside Posts: 11	Thanks very much Mike. Valuable info.

06-11-2016, 08:16 PM	#5
maquinapescado Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 326	I run #80 braid, same diameter as #16 mono, on fathom 30's. I have some other reels with #65. #30-40 top shot for the day and #50-60 for the night shift. __________________ Climb, Surf, Fish, Repeat

06-12-2016, 08:59 AM	#6
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	I don't use spinners very often in LJ. But if youre more comfortable with them there are certainly many that would work well Like the other posters said, 20 lb is too light for yt in LJ. LA Jolla can be a very rough neighborhood. Kelp, dogs, anchor lines, crowds, lobster trap lines in that season. As well as the fact that yt are incredably strong fish with a good ability to find structure. The longer you fight the fish the better the chances are that some will go wrong. I'd recommend going with 65 lb braid, the original rough thin stuff to cut kelp rather than the newer "slick" stuff. Then a short leader, 5' or so, of 30 or 40 lb fluoro. 40 or higher can be very difficult to break off if/when you get hung up on the bottom. Lastly I'd highly recommend using a lever drag for live bait fishing. LDs generally have stronger and smoother drags. But beyond that LDs let you easily set the tension on the spool when trolling a big frisky mackerel. I've found with a star drag the clicker will slip and click the whole time you're trolling. And since the reels only a few feet away from my ear it drives me crazy. Mike