Trolling live bait
 

How much line out when trolling for yellowtail with live bait on a kayak?

It can be as close as you want, just as long as the bait is not too close to be helicoptering or surfing. Yellowtail have taken bait as close as 30 feet from my kayak and as far as 150 feet.

Main rule is make sure your bait is not moving unnaturally.

I do a slow count to 10 while I pedal forward, allowing the bait to take line. But, I dont think it really matters much. Then again, if a thresher takes your bait, they jump. I dont want a thresher landing on me.

Do you free line your bait or do you have a weight of some sort also? If so what size because my bait didn't seem to swim far down without a weight when I tried last...

Depends on what you are targeting and at what depth. You can either flyline or use a "dropper loop". BTW, I never actually tie the dropper loop. I use Spro Power swivels. Some people like the 3 way swivels but mine always end up tangled. :mad:

I cant give you an exact length, but 50-75' or so.
Last year bait was difficult to catch and the dogs were bad. So I started running my baits as close as 30' so I could get them in fact when I saw or heard as dog coming.
I don't run a weight when trolling. Mike