Rigging for BIG fish question

20 to 30# mono works well and will not brake off the big ones as long as your reels are well maintained.  I do use 40 to 50# for B10 salmon because of all the seals/sea lions.

Scott

Here's the challenge that has been bugging me for a while.  With a typical 7 foot rod on a kayak, I don't believe it is possible to put much more than 10# of drag on a fish comfortably for a sustained amount of time.  I've tried.  If you're fighting a fish up and down, the kayak becomes tippy.  If a fish runs out, your kayak just gets drug.  10# of drag is what you set for 30# line.  30# also happens to be what I believe I can consistently break off if snagged.

That being said, I have some thoughts involving short, stubby rods to allow me to fish what I'm hoping is 15-17# of drag, 50# gear, comfortably.  Will report back after my upcoming La Paz trip.

-Allen

When I get snagged, I let out some extra line and give it a couple of wraps around my rod but, which is rubber foam. a few quick yanks is all it takes. Usually it either comes free, or the 20lb mono leader breaks. Once however I managed to break the 50lb braid main line. I always use a 20lb mono leader, and have been towed around by a seal without it breaking! I went with the 50lb braid because I could see it easier. However, the next time I fill a reel, i'll probably go with 30lb just to be on the safe side.

Here's the challenge that has been bugging me for a while.  With a typical 7 foot rod on a kayak, I don't believe it is possible to put much more than 10# of drag on a fish comfortably for a sustained amount of time.  I've tried.  If you're fighting a fish up and down, the kayak becomes tippy.  If a fish runs out, your kayak just gets drug.  10# of drag is what you set for 30# line.  30# also happens to be what I believe I can consistently break off if snagged.

That being said, I have some thoughts involving short, stubby rods to allow me to fish what I'm hoping is 15-17# of drag, 50# gear, comfortably.  Will report back after my upcoming La Paz trip.

-Allen

Will you be playing with a sea anchor at all? Should give you a lot more bite against a running fish. Will be interested in you La Paz results!

Will you be playing with a sea anchor at all? Should give you a lot more bite against a running fish. Will be interested in you La Paz results!

Not this trip.  I'm not worried about the fish running out and away.  It's the yellowtail and pargo that will rock you if you give them a chance.

-Allen

Todd and I use our kayaks to help each other slow a large running fish.  A short segment of cord and clip attached bow to stern on the yaks.  With one guy back paddling, it really puts the brakes on.  You also stay together and get some good photo ops.
-Scott

I plan on catching some oversize strugeon this spring on the Willamette. I have caught a bunch out of the PB but just watched one to many episodes of "River Monsters" to not get a couple with the yak.  When the shad get here they are easy to target.   I want to be able to put enough drag on a 8+ footer to tire it out in a reasonable amount of time so as not to run its "battery" down so low that it might expire or not be able to escape a local sealion.   The idea of a sea anchor on a real short leash is interesting.  Other ideas?

Hehehe!!!  Look what came in the mail today, just in time for my Mex trip.  That's a 4 foot rod you see there, http://www.meltontackle.com/products/melton-tackle-mini-tuna-lifter-stand-up-rods.html .  Sitting on it is an Avet JX 2-speed.  This will be rigged for 50# mainline and I plan on fishing 15# of drag or more (hopefully!).  I'll either short stroke the fish to the surface or will hold on while I tip over.  Hopefully all to be caught on video.   

-Allen

WOW ALLEN!! that's a stout little rod. this is going to be used on a yak or off a charter boat? either way i hope it's what you;ve been looking for.

WOW ALLEN!! that's a stout little rod. this is going to be used on a yak or off a charter boat? either way i hope it's what you;ve been looking for.

This is to be used exclusively off a kayak.  I think it's too short for me to effectively use off a big boat, but we'll see about that too.

-Allen

kewl, go for it.

willl love watching you prove wrong the "conventional thinking" of longer rods are better for yak fishing.

Wow.  I cannot wait to see the results!!!

yup, what they said.
Lee is spot on with get straight over it to break off a snag. I find I can break up to 40lbs braid if you take a wrap or two around the reel with the rod straight down in the water. Springy stuff is still a bee-otch.

In terms of increasing drag on a running fish, the Inuits got the boat sideways to the fish (whale, polar bear,,,,).  Works great on big Redfish, but I don't know what it would do for a sounding Tuna or Grouper from hell.

Wali, Horizontal submarine , mebbe?

Allen, when the Fearless Foursome did the Salmon Shark trip, did you deal with those critters head on or from the side? for some reason i'm thinking that there is a foundation of lessons learned relating on how to deal with big fish there .

Wali, Horizontal submarine , mebbe?

Allen, when the Fearless Foursome did the Salmon Shark trip, did you deal with those critters head on or from the side? for some reason i'm thinking that there is a foundation of lessons learned relating on how to deal with big fish there .

Other than the initial sleighride, those sharks sounded.  I had a hard time maintain a good deal of drag on them and had to back off.  The went on surging runs that made things dicey.  I've been on other fish that I felt like I wanted to put more pressure on, but just couldn't.  This was the best solution I could think of.

-Allen