LJ Reds and almost Ling 8/12

[fourtogo]

Originally Posted by goldenglory18

Eh, in my very uneducated opinion, I think a lot of saltwater guys are way over rigged for the size fish they are after.

I'm consistently rigged with either 10lbs Flouro on my bass sticks, or 25lbs flouro on my "yellow/game fish" sticks. Any heavy stuff like vertical jig or drop loop rigs, its 30lbs MAX, and sometimes I even under rig with just 25lbs mono.

Know your terminal knot and drag setting are far and beyond more important to landing a large fish than your line. It may take you a little longer to land that 35lbs yellow on 25lbs flouro, but he bit the 25lbs line in the first place....

What would be lowest size equipment you need for rock to YT .

[crashcrow]

Originally Posted by fourtogo

What would be lowest size equipment you need for rock to YT .

I use a completely different setup for bottom fishing. Shimano Trevala with Baitrunner 8000, 40 lb braid to 20 lb flouro. Had lots of luck with a small jig with cut bait on the hook.

[goldenglory18]

Originally Posted by fourtogo

What would be lowest size equipment you need for rock to YT .

Eh, I'd use different gear for yellows. It's really all in how you fish for them though.

Example: I'm going to flyline for them 50% of the time. I can use a 8' XH swimbait bass stick for that. A 300 sized reel with a clicker and you're set. Or, the other 50% of the time, throw a standard surface jig or subsurface blade that I'm going to work like a rip bait (coltsniper or squish jig) and for that I 'm comfortable using a 8' MH offshore stick.

For Rocks/Bottom fishing, I'm going to almost always use a shorter, more stout H or XH stick. That way it can more comfortably handle the weight it takes to get the bait to lower depths (plus that's almost always vertical fishing, IMO the longer rod the more cumbersome that technique gets.)

The only crossover I can see is if you are rock fishing in shallower waters, and don't need to throw 12oz of weight, you could very easily do that with the same rig you throw your subsurface jigs with.

Also, I think a lot more of my terminal and line when it comes to techniques. I just make sure my rod and reel can support my line needs...

[ultimatejay]

I think these fish are onto braid. I use spectra with 100 yards top shot of 40lb mono and then 35lb flouro leader. Don't use any weight just fly line the mackerel with a circle hook. Better yet put one fly line on one side and one weighted down with 3-4 oz sinker. That way you cover both water columns but you will find out most of the bites will be on the fly line

[The pelican]

In the summertime, it's not that complicated. Hard to say what you need to change with such limited info but here are some ideas:

1. Ditch the weight. Flyline means line and a hook with a bait at the end. No weights.

2. Catch plenty of greenbacks (25 of them is a good number for a day in La Jolla) and keep them happy/healthy. Don't throw them in a home depot bucket full of water, don't squeeze the shit out of them, and don't drag around the same half dead mac for hours. Drop directly from the sabiki into the bait tank. Throw back the bleeders. Lively greenbacks are key.

3. Drop to 30 lb flouro.

4. #4 hook is small. Try a ringed 1/0 hook.

5. Fish the right areas. If you aren't keyed in, then cover ground. If you're sitting at the edge of the MPA in one spot all day or in the same spot in the middle of the canyon all day, you're not giving yourself a good shot. Try trolling that greenback about 100 feet behind you from the front of La Valencia around south to marine street, for example, in 60 feet of water. When you reach the end of the road, turn around and troll back to La Valencia in 70 feet of water. Then back to marine in 80, and so on until you're fishing in 120 or deeper. Do that for 8-10 hours a few weekends in a row and see if you don't get bit.

[ultimatejay]

[QUOTE=The pelican;284427]In the summertime, it's not that complicated. Hard to say what you need to change with such limited info but here are some ideas:

1. Ditch the weight. Flyline means line and a hook with a bait at the end. No weights.

2. Catch plenty of greenbacks (25 of them is a good number for a day in La Jolla) and keep them happy/healthy. Don't throw them in a home depot bucket full of water, don't squeeze the shit out of them, and don't drag around the same half dead mac for hours. Drop directly from the sabiki into the bait tank. Throw back the bleeders. Lively greenbacks are key.

3. Drop to 30 lb flouro.

4. #4 hook is small. Try a ringed 1/0 hook.

5. Fish the right areas. If you aren't keyed in, then cover ground. If you're sitting at the edge of the MPA in one spot all day or in the same spot in the middle of the canyon all day, you're not giving yourself a good shot. Try trolling that greenback about 100 feet behind you from the front of La Valencia around south to marine street, for example, in 60 feet of water. When you reach the end of the road, turn around and troll back to La Valencia in 70 feet of water. Then back to marine in 80, and so on until you're fishing in 120 or deeper. Do that for 8-10 hours a few weekends in a row and see if you

25 green backs in a kayak bait tank?

[The pelican]

[QUOTE=ultimatejay;284468]

Originally Posted by The pelican

In the summertime, it's not that complicated. Hard to say what you need to change with such limited info but here are some ideas:

1. Ditch the weight. Flyline means line and a hook with a bait at the end. No weights.

2. Catch plenty of greenbacks (25 of them is a good number for a day in La Jolla) and keep them happy/healthy. Don't throw them in a home depot bucket full of water, don't squeeze the shit out of them, and don't drag around the same half dead mac for hours. Drop directly from the sabiki into the bait tank. Throw back the bleeders. Lively greenbacks are key.

3. Drop to 30 lb flouro.

4. #4 hook is small. Try a ringed 1/0 hook.

5. Fish the right areas. If you aren't keyed in, then cover ground. If you're sitting at the edge of the MPA in one spot all day or in the same spot in the middle of the canyon all day, you're not giving yourself a good shot. Try trolling that greenback about 100 feet behind you from the front of La Valencia around south to marine street, for example, in 60 feet of water. When you reach the end of the road, turn around and troll back to La Valencia in 70 feet of water. Then back to marine in 80, and so on until you're fishing in 120 or deeper. Do that for 8-10 hours a few weekends in a row and see if you

25 green backs in a kayak bait tank?

UltimateJay - Yes! Having plenty of lively baits is key. You'll read reports on this site of guys who will go out, catch 6 macs, and start fishing for the day. In my experience, that doesn't make much sense. Of course there are times when it's hard to find them. But catch as many as you can keep alive and healthy for the entire day, before you start fishing, if they are around. Then put away the sabiki for the day and forget about multitasking. Catch bait for the day, then catch yellowtail without interruption.

Obviously the number of baits depends on the size of the macs and the livewell you're using. My Hobie tank can hold quite a few. If you're catching smaller greenies, the tank's pumping lots of water, bleeders are thrown back, and you're handling them with care (consider using a sabiki de-hooker so you don't need to touch them); they will stay lively all day long.

Regularly check to sure the water is really pumping into the tank. Keep a section of plastic tubing on the kayak to press against the water intake, take a deep breath, and blow against the pump as hard as you can to clear any grass that might be sucked up against the intake under the kayak. Get used to how the pump sounds when it's working properly and stay aware of any changes to the noise it makes (which may indicate a blockage). That can really limit the amount of water that's making it's way into the tank and suffocate your baits.

Also, use a small bait net to quickly scoop up a mac when you need a fresh one. Don't chase them all over the tank with your hand. If you're using your hand, you'll spend more time in the tank scaring them. You'll squeeze the hell out of a bunch that will slip away. And you'll almost certainly catch the slowest baits if you're using your hand. The best pieces will be left in the tank at the end of the day.

Look at the color of their backs. For some reason, the weaker baits (maybe those that were injured) are a darker color. The better baits in the tank have a lighter colored back. You'll really notice the difference if you're short on baits and reel one and put it back in the tank to get away from a dog, for example. The mac that was used already will stand out against the others due to it's darker color.

Hopefully this helps.

[Apex]

30# is the sweet spot for me. I'll put out a 25# if the fish are being finicky. No Weight flyline

[crashcrow]

You guys are awesome. Thanks for sharing. I cant wait to get back out there in a couple days and try some new tricks.
Mike

[Hamachijohn]

As a norcal lurker who's only experience catching YT was a one-time guided outing in 2011, and looking to head south again, your post had a lot of good tips. Thanks! As for hooks, any particular brand you recommend? Also, I see other posts using J hooks, circle hooks, etc. I guess it's preference, but was curious why others use certain hook, and why they think it's "better" for hooking the YT. thx again.

Originally Posted by The pelican

In the summertime, it's not that complicated. Hard to say what you need to change with such limited info but here are some ideas:

1. Ditch the weight. Flyline means line and a hook with a bait at the end. No weights.

2. Catch plenty of greenbacks (25 of them is a good number for a day in La Jolla) and keep them happy/healthy. Don't throw them in a home depot bucket full of water, don't squeeze the shit out of them, and don't drag around the same half dead mac for hours. Drop directly from the sabiki into the bait tank. Throw back the bleeders. Lively greenbacks are key.

3. Drop to 30 lb flouro.

4. #4 hook is small. Try a ringed 1/0 hook.

5. Fish the right areas. If you aren't keyed in, then cover ground. If you're sitting at the edge of the MPA in one spot all day or in the same spot in the middle of the canyon all day, you're not giving yourself a good shot. Try trolling that greenback about 100 feet behind you from the front of La Valencia around south to marine street, for example, in 60 feet of water. When you reach the end of the road, turn around and troll back to La Valencia in 70 feet of water. Then back to marine in 80, and so on until you're fishing in 120 or deeper. Do that for 8-10 hours a few weekends in a row and see if you don't get bit.

[Hamachijohn]

thanks for the tip. What hook recommendation do you have for this newbie? Thx again.

[crashcrow]

I agree with greenscales... Thank you for the help Pelican. I'm not on here to talk crap on anyone's ideas, I appreciate your honest advise. Most people do not share their tricks so I appreciate that.

Mike