Finally made it back!

Alright folks. After a week and a half of Mojo's mentorship in the ways of fabrication and kayak fishing I finally began my journey back north. Had absolutely beautiful weather the whole trip back, but was often too windy for my comfort to head out on unfamiliar waters solo. Finally made it back to town and am hoping to head southward in the next day or two and link up with some of you fellas for fishing. Just need to know what i need for terminal tackle for buts and salmon. I picked up some Lancers, but don't have much else for jigging butts. I also have a Scotty down rigger but haven't figured how I want to mount it yet, so I'll probably just mooch for kings for now. If appreciate any insight on what gear I should pick up and even more if someone wanted to meet me at sportsmans or elsewhere in town tomorrow to help me gear up. Looking forward to hitting the water soon!😎

He made it!!!!  awesome!!!

No need for a down rigger.  Pick up some banana or torpedo/trolling weights from 4oz to 16 oz and you are covered.  Right now kings are shallow, but even in the winter, I think the weights or deep six diver is sufficient. 

Though many have success with jigs, if you try Whiskey Gulch, I would slow troll/power mooch bait.  If it gets hot and heavy or too many smaller fish, switch over to a jig. I typically use 10 to 16 oz with a spreader bar.  200 lbs mono to a 12/0 Gamakatsu Big River hooks.  If you are just drifting versus moving, even a 5 pound halibut will inhale and swallow the 12/0 hook.  Better to keep moving.  Less gut hooked fish and bigger fish in my opinion.

Go slow, find bottom.  Either crank up a couple of turns or just pedal slightly faster.  Every now and then, slow down till you see the weight tick the bottom and the speed up again.  I put my rd in the rod holder.  When you get a strike...and even the smallest of taps can be a big fish, stop.  Grab your rod, feel for weight.  If you feel weight, then you can set the hook.  Many times the herring will come back sawed in half.  Those fish were probably too little anyways.  Lol. 

So as far as the gear goes, I would pick up....obviously everyone is different.  This is what I use.

I may be around tomorrow but just can't commit to a time.  PM me if you think you have an idea on when you want to go. 


Halibut
200 lbs mono.
12/0 Gamakatsu Big River hooks.
10 to 20 oz weights.  I use 12 and 16 mainly trolling sinkers.
Spreader bar optional.
Big Halibut size hoochies optional. 
Harpoon equipment. 
Boga or lucid grips
Game clip or other method to secure fish.

King

40 to 60 pound fluorocarbon.
5/0 to 7/0 gamakatsu Octopus hooks in red.  5/0 for red label herring, larger for larger herring.
Fish Flash flasher (Triangle spins in line) I like red or chartreuse but have no clue if it matters.
4 to 12 oz trolling sinkers.
A few lures work if you don't like bait.  I am partially to the silver horde coho killers in chrome or black and white but others have done well on different spoons and thing like Brad's cut plug imitator and the King Candy line of baits.  Right now it a lot of different baitfish.  Later it will predominantly be sand lances, 

Thanks Rudy. Probably hit the store early this afternoon before going to a bbq. Then start making my way south later tonight.

Thanks Rudy. Probably hit the store early this afternoon before going to a bbq. Then start making my way south later tonight.

Good luck finding a spot to park that camper, CS. I had a hard enough time looking for enough space for a truck and a tent last night. I'll be fishing a tan Revo 16 out of Whiskey Gulch today. Pedal over and say "hi" if you see me.


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Rudy, what kind of bait are you using on those big ass #12's? I don't think I'll have time to stop by an orphanage or animal shelter, so I'd like a few more options. I'm at sportsmans in wasilla if you wanna give me a call. Here's my # 907.717.6714. Thanks again!

sry for the delay. I use the big horse herring mainly for the price. size really doesn't matter too much, especially illy I'd using a hoochie.

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No worries. Made it down to WG early this morning then followed kwake and his entourage to homer. Fished late afternoon into evening and no luck. A couple of the fellas got a couple pollock, but that's it. I'll try here again in the morning and then back to WG if nothing's happening. Thanks for all the help so far!!


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Hi CS - hope you had a great trip.   On gear - I had pretty good luck this weekend on the Kodiak Custom jigs, black body and white or pink hootchies.   Since we were really drift jigging, I could used the 6 oz size and get to the bottom directly beneath or slightly behind me.   I was carrying 10oz size in case the wind and current didn't agree with me.

I tend to put some stink or small herring or sardine on them.   I think action may be a bit slower, but we were still catching small chickens on the things.    I did manager one near 25-30# on each to two trips out. 

What I like about jigs - it's right on the main line, super simple rig-up, and even if you are stripped you are still fishing effectively.   What I don't like about a jig is that it is right on the main line, so if you snag up you many end up cutting off.   

Like K-84 I also make up up rigs with 9/0 hooks on heavy mono. . .

 The last few halibut bait rigs I tied up I put a short slider in-line on the 100# mono by tying in two beads with a swivel between - allows the sinker dropper to slide a few inches which gives me the illusion of better sensitivity.   The sinker on this rig would have a 20# mono dropper, that breaks clear easy if you catch bottom.   

 Can post a pic of that rig later.

No worries. Made it down to WG early this morning then followed kwake and his entourage to homer. Fished late afternoon into evening and no luck. A couple of the fellas got a couple pollock, but that's it. I'll try here again in the morning and then back to WG if nothing's happening. Thanks for all the help so far!!


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Whiskey Gulch has nasty current and tides...but from a fish catching perspective, it is a LOT easier than Homer right now.  Both for halibut and kings.  Just be very aware of the currents in the area.  just remember, High tide does NOT equal Slack tide in the area.  Slack typical comes an hour or more after the high tide reading for the beach. 

CS complements to the work you and mojo did on your rig. Looking forward to future trips.