Yellowtail on the fly?

[Guest]

Even if they are the firecracker size you would want a least a nine. Most of the time you are in 50 - 70 ft of water and with kelp around or rocky structure below you will lose the majority of fish. You need to stop these suckers or they head straight for a wrap around! I fished SC island last Sat and with 20 lbs test I got all I could handle and lost 3 fish( landed 1). I would run at least 20 - 25 flouro leader about 3-5 ft. Learn how to tie a bimini twist to your backing, buckle the drag down and try, try, try to slow them down as they head down. Side pressure and try to keep them up in the water colum. If they head down, they will find trouble, and that's heart breaking! Ron G

[gary bulla]

Right on Ron. In spring of 2003 we got into a lot of firecracker yellowtail on my Two Island kayak trip. No kelp, just lots of brain coral. We ended up going to our rods for a ten weight line. I remember catching one fish that almost bent the hook straight (yes, it was a stainless Mustad). While fighting the fish I announced that it must be at least 14 or 15 pounds-it turned out to be 7 lbs. By the way lots of them were caught on a deep "fly-lined" fly, not on the strip.

[Dean]

RON,
I'd agree that a 9 wt. should be a standard.. I was more using the fact that Sung & the others were talking about 8wts. verses 10 wts. and I was pointing out that between the two line wieghts, I'd go with the 10 wt... but if one owns a 9wt; I'd bring the 9wt. along with the 10wt...


GARY,
Some year soon I gotta drop down the Cash & join you on the annual Kayak outings... Always read or hear nothing but positive reports of your guided Trips...

But First..it's that trip next June to Loreto, with Lee, to "Tag" some Dorado & Pargo & Cabrilla and whatever else eats my flies... Yahoo!!!!!!


DEAN....

[Guest]

Hey Dean,

Did you fish Kings Harbor... How was it?

S.Lee

[Dean]

....the best made plans of Mice & Men... get shot down sometimes... I haven't been in 2 weeks... I am planning on Next Monday..hopefully the Swells will be reduced & the Bonito willing...

DEAN....

[gary bulla]

In case you are once again skipping past the home page (I do it too) I have a Cerralov Island panga trip going out on Saturday Oct 9.Agreat time of year to get into the variety of fish in the area. Lots of tuna and dorado down there right now. I have a couple of spots left on this panga fishing expedition. Check it out.

[scombridae1969]

So...I have always wondered, in regards to both conventional tackle and esp. fly rods...

I have alway felt that it would be really helpful, esp. for tackle used for bigger fish (meaning fish calling for rods 9 weight and above) if along with line rating, there was info provided on the ability of the rod to handle drag pressure (as in pounds of drag). With things like shock tippets being part of the terminal rigging, it would seem that knowing how much actual drag a rod could handle would be crucial in how to approach bigger fish in a way which will no overtax the rod.

I am sure others have thought about this.

Peace.
MC

Originally posted by Anonymous
Fished San Clemente Island last Friday on a 1.5 day charter. We got into some really big Yellowtail. My friend hooked into what fought like a 30 pounder but ended up breaking his rod.

[Glen T.]

Good thread guys! The one thing that I think is worth mentioning is the importance of good rod and line handling skills when fighting larger fish from a boat.

Having the appropriate rod and line weights for the environs you fish is important, but in my opinion, fighting techniques are just as important. Side pressure, low pressure, bowing to fish, etc. are all skills that will help you better manage "hot" fish and help keep your rod in one piece.


GT

BTW: Ken Hanley does a great job of demonstrating these techniques on his new salmon dvd.

[Guest]

My main rods for the baja fishing whether it be dorado, roosters or tuna is an 8wt or a 9wt. Like Glen T mentioned it's all in how you play the fish. I've seen 9 and 10 wts explode by guys "high sticking" even the smallest skipjack
You might sweat alittle more but ya gotta love it

Jay