Fishing close or in kelp?

[T Bone]

After a few missed oportunities this week I have learned a few things.One I am out of shape after working 8 hrs construction and then charging outside it took its toll on me this week.two,It does me no good to hook big fish while potholing if there is little to no chance of landing them.I farmed 3 fish this week and since I dont want to move to Iowa I have come to the forum for help.
After tuesdays debocle I rigged two riggs kelp cutter style with about 6' mono 30 and 40# over spectra 50 and 65#.Thursday I paddled out in crappy conditions(Charged by adrenaline) I was able to make spanish and greenies of the perfect size while weeding out lots of smelt.Thinking I could somehow conquer any kelp situation I foolishly charged in deep and fished a huge pothole.It was beautiful and the wind was dying down too.I tied off to a stringer and let 2 greenies down.One a few cranks off the bottom and one in midwater.I hooked up on the bottom rig.solid but nothing compared to tuesdays fish(made me think tuesdays was big YT.It honestly pulled as hard as my 100# T shark but straight into the kelp)lots of headshakes(Hali?)this guy came unbuttoned.Midwater mac gets bumped but doesnt stick.I re-rig bottom greenie and after a few it gets a solid hookup.This fish was much better than the first(But still nothing like tuesday)after pulling on several fish this week(I SUCK!!!) I am SURE this was a good WSB.I am on for a while and make headway.I thought I could feel the spectra cutting through a few strands of kelp but maybe I was imagining it.Anyways it ended in heartbreak too with the knot breaking at the hook(40# p line and a double san diego tied right)am I cursed or what.I was really walking on sunshine a few times only to be crushed.I notice that most people fish outside the edges.Is that where I should be?Any help would be appreciated.I realize hook to land ratio would drop significantly while in deep but I am wondering if its worth it.With all the crap going on with my boy I really would like to catch something decent soon, it goes a long ways in lifting my spirits.