NorthWest Kayak Anglers

Regional Discussions => Alaska Kayak Fishing => Topic started by: leith010 on November 22, 2017, 09:20:43 PM

Title: New hardware—Has anybody tried this?
Post by: leith010 on November 22, 2017, 09:20:43 PM
Hey all. It’s been pretty quiet on here, so I thought I’d share what I’ve been working on lately. Has anyone tried this? I bought a mechanical release on discount at a tackle shop.  I glued some old bobber tubing on an in-line flasher and ran my line (usually I use mono) through it and then the release.  When a fish hits, the release is triggered and my flasher slides to the swivel. This way, I can run a five foot leader and when fighting a fish I only have to deal with the foot of line after my swivel. When I started fishing from my kayak, I didn’t think that small amount of extra leader would make such a huge difference in the fight. But having lost more than my share of fish at the boat, I thought I’d give this a shot. If nothing else, it’s something fun to think about while it’s too windy to fish.

I’ve caught a few halibut with it, but haven’t yet hooked into a king.    Do you all think the extra hardware will scare the fish away?

Title: Re: New hardware—Has anybody tried this?
Post by: leith010 on November 22, 2017, 09:30:25 PM
 Maybe this is pretty common, but I’m new to this. Happy Thanksgiving, all.
Title: Re: New hardware—Has anybody tried this?
Post by: gnomodom on November 23, 2017, 08:26:14 AM
Looks like it might work. Just check to make sure the action of the flasher is the same in the water. Happy Thanksgiving to you, as well! :)
Title: Re: New hardware—Has anybody tried this?
Post by: sherminator on November 23, 2017, 10:26:12 AM
I've used the Long Liner for several years, and it works as advertised. I really like it. I'm sure it saved me one fish when the weight got snagged in the net and the coho took off on a screaming run when I was trying to net it. The line ran through the Long Liner while I got the weight untangled and I landed the fish.

However, I run my Long Liner above the flasher, and have the point upstream. I believe that is how the designer intended it. You have to deal with the line between the flasher and your hook, but can run your weight however far above the flasher that you want. It slides down to the flasher when you get a fish on and the release trips.
Title: Re: New hardware—Has anybody tried this?
Post by: leith010 on November 23, 2017, 11:04:07 AM
 I’ll have to try flipping it around.  ;).    I have actually been running it with my downrigger, so it makes more sense for me to run it below the flasher. 
Title: Re: New hardware—Has anybody tried this?
Post by: sherminator on November 23, 2017, 11:59:27 AM
I get it now - you're using it to release the flasher to slide down. That is a new take on how to use it. It was originally designed to release your weight, but there is no reason to limit it to that purpose. Cool.
Title: Re: New hardware—Has anybody tried this?
Post by: Hooper on November 23, 2017, 03:59:30 PM
GREAT IDEA!!!

My mantra has always been, 'Why get in a box to think in the first place, anyway?"
Title: Re: New hardware—Has anybody tried this?
Post by: Ling Banger on November 23, 2017, 08:01:53 PM
GREAT IDEA!!!

My mantra has always been, 'Why get in a box to think in the first place, anyway?"

I've never known anyone that ran a flasher for halibut. WTF do I know, maybe I'm running my gear backwards?
Title: Re: New hardware—Has anybody tried this?
Post by: leith010 on November 23, 2017, 08:28:42 PM
I don’t usually run a flasher for halibut either. But every once in a while I pick one up while I’m fishing for kings.
Title: Re: New hardware—Has anybody tried this?
Post by: Ling Banger on November 24, 2017, 02:55:22 AM
I don’t usually run a flasher for halibut either. But every once in a while I pick one up while I’m fishing for kings.

Alaska is chock full of pleasant surprises!
Title: Re: New hardware—Has anybody tried this?
Post by: Low_Sky on November 25, 2017, 09:50:28 AM
GREAT IDEA!!!

My mantra has always been, 'Why get in a box to think in the first place, anyway?"

I've never known anyone that ran a flasher for halibut. WTF do I know, maybe I'm running my gear backwards?

I troll halibut with a flasher rig. It works.


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Title: Re: New hardware—Has anybody tried this?
Post by: AKFishOn on November 28, 2017, 12:19:48 PM


I troll halibut with a flasher rig. It works.

The few butts and juvenile lingcod I've caught in the yak have been on flasher rigs.  Hooked into what could have been a contender during the yak classic earlier this year, broke my leader due to tangled gear.  Won't be using anything less than 40 lb leader material from now on when the potential for halibut exists.


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Title: Re: New hardware—Has anybody tried this?
Post by: Captain Redbeard on November 28, 2017, 01:21:27 PM
I've never known anyone that ran a flasher for halibut. WTF do I know, maybe I'm running my gear backwards?

From what I've read this is pretty common for calibuts. They seem to run a rig similar to what we'd use for kings in the bays on the bottom.