MDR - 8/20/17

[goldenglory18]

Originally Posted by Denis_Ruso

We had this conversation hahaha. If you recall me saying "You will fish light tackle in the ocean until you loose some good ones." This isn't a lake, there's more structure and sharp rock.

Although you may coax a few more bites on light tackle, if the presentation is right and the cast lands in the right spot the bigger bass really don't care that much about the leader. So why not fish heavier?

I personally run 20-30 lb flouro.

Fair enough.

So when this happens, does that heavy 20-30lbs line really help get them out of the junk? I get cutting through kelp or ripping out of grass, but rocks? That just seems like a lose/lose situation.

Those bites were nasty though. Such a rush to feel the yak turn and get pulled like that. It's been a long time since I've had that happen.....

[Denis_Ruso]

Originally Posted by goldenglory18

Fair enough.

So when this happens, does that heavy 20-30lbs line really help get them out of the junk? I get cutting through kelp or ripping out of grass, but rocks? That just seems like a lose/lose situation.

Those bites were nasty though. Such a rush to feel the yak turn and get pulled like that. It's been a long time since I've had that happen.....

Yes absolutely.
Calico bass are very structure oriented and ambush predators. So you will almost always get them off structure. From my diving I notice the really big ones like to hang out in deep holes and cracks inside big rocks. I imagine they come out slam a bait and head right back in. So you if you are fishing light tackle and land your bait near the hole, its pretty much guaranteed that he's taking your jig right back in there just like a grouper. While he's green it will take some line strength and drag to stop that from happening.

I fish a heavy 15-30 lb rod with 50 lb spectra to a 20-30 lb leader. You can really turn those suckers out from the rocks that way. But I bet the reel still matters, I fish a lexa 300 so there's plenty of drag.

[goldenglory18]

Originally Posted by Denis_Ruso

Yes absolutely.
Calico bass are very structure oriented and ambush predators. So you will almost always get them off structure. From my diving I notice the really big ones like to hang out in deep holes and cracks inside big rocks. I imagine they come out slam a bait and head right back in. So you if you are fishing light tackle and land your bait near the hole, its pretty much guaranteed that he's taking your jig right back in there just like a grouper. While he's green it will take some line strength and drag to stop that from happening.

I fish a heavy 15-30 lb rod with 50 lb spectra to a 20-30 lb leader. You can really turn those suckers out from the rocks that way. But I bet the reel still matters, I fish a lexa 300 so there's plenty of drag.

Interesting. Sounds like I had the right gear, just the wrong bait tied to the wrong rig.

They didn't want a swimbait on Sunday. They wanted a fluke.....

[StumpFisher]

Nice report and congrats on the PB. Suckers fight hard!! No comparison to their green freshwater cousins imo.

[Amish Ed]

Congrats on the PB.

I fish 10lb and 17lb for all salt water bass. For calicoes I start with the 17lb and switch to 10lb if they are being line shy. Even with 17lb, sometimes you just can't stop them. As you found out they just drag you along and and corn hole you. If I was fishing from a boat I'd be using 30lb+ with the drag buttoned, but then you have way more leverage to pull the fish away. In the yak, sometimes you just have to take your lumps.

What fluke is that? I love that color.

[goldenglory18]

Originally Posted by StumpFisher

Nice report and congrats on the PB. Suckers fight hard!! No comparison to their green freshwater cousins imo.

Thanks!

I totally agree. These fish have some shoulders on them!

Originally Posted by Amish Ed

Congrats on the PB.

I fish 10lb and 17lb for all salt water bass. For calicoes I start with the 17lb and switch to 10lb if they are being line shy. Even with 17lb, sometimes you just can't stop them. As you found out they just drag you along and and corn hole you. If I was fishing from a boat I'd be using 30lb+ with the drag buttoned, but then you have way more leverage to pull the fish away. In the yak, sometimes you just have to take your lumps.

What fluke is that? I love that color.

Thanks, Ed.

I have a mental problem tying 20lbs+ line to a 4" bait, but I guess I'll just need to get over that. It may have been my presentation, or it may have been my line, but I can tell you these guys didnt bite by 25lbs and they did bite my 10lbs.

The fluke? Glimmer Blue I think...

[Denis_Ruso]

Originally Posted by goldenglory18

Thanks!
I have a mental problem tying 20lbs+ line to a 4" bait, but I guess I'll just need to get over that. It may have been my presentation, or it may have been my line, but I can tell you these guys didnt bite by 25lbs and they did bite my 10lbs.

The presentation will be affected by the line thickness. Keep that in mind when tying on. The other thing to keep in mind is that there are different types of fluorocarbon. I know the seaguar "premier" is designed for more of a natural presentation and is thinner. Its really designed for live bait fishing but may be the better suited for the finesse style fishing you are used to.

[GTboosted]

When calico's want to bite they bite anything. Got over 20 legals a couple weeks ago with 50lb flouro out of the kelp.

I did have a high speed Lexa 400 so I think it gives them no time to think and they just hit it hard before the lure gets away.

[alanw]

I agree with going heavy for Calicos. 12-15 lb is good for schooling Sand Bass and Spotties but start with 25-30 lb with a nice stiffer rod like a Terez for Calicos, drop down to no less than 20 if you have to. Don't give em a chance to bury your line in the structure.