Okay noob question here...yellowtail... - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Chuck D · 02-10-2016, 07:18 AM

I fished for my first 3 years with no fish finder on a Malibu Extreme, caught plenty of YT. As for bait just troll around a sabiki in about 15-20 ft of water, get some macks and you are good to go. In the warmer months troll a mack on the surface and in the colder months drop one down to the bottom, simple as that. You'll hook up as long as you put the work in... Good luck.

maquinapescado · 02-10-2016, 08:24 AM

If you have a helmet and bullet proof vest, head to La Jolla and fish around the obvious clutter of boats and kayaks.

I'd say the topic was pretty well covered. In my opinion, I think if you were to target yellowtail anywhere except La Jolla, I think it would be really difficult without out a fish finder, especially in winter.

Typically, yellowtail like to hangout around that 90'-150' of water area. It is nice to know where you are and where your bait is in the water column.

My first trip to La Jolla, I met Summers in Kuwait (Todd) and he found good success without a fish finder. He would use a GPS app on his phone with coordinates he would put in. You can acquire coordinates from previous catches, where other people are hooked up and from friends.

Maybe that would be a cheap start for you????? I'm not sure what app he uses.

jorluivil · 02-10-2016, 08:56 AM

One a serious note:

Just buy yourself a fish finder, we all have them for a reason. If you can't afford or fit an HDS7 on your deck get something smaller like the Elite 4. I started off with an Eagle Cuda 150 and now have the HDS 7 touch, its my 4th unit in 7 years. 99.99% of the kayakers and boaters have them for a reason and the 'cool factor' is not the reason. Will dropping a mason's line with a heavy weight and a knot tied every 5' help you determine what depth you're in? Of course it will will but do you really want to do that?

If this thread was about whether or not you should buy a car with gauges that are not working everyone would tell you not to do it, right? How are you going to know if you're low on gas or if you're doing 35mph in a 25mph zone or if you're oil level is low?

Guys on this site are always upgrading, save up some dough and when the right unit comes along buy it. I'm sure you'll survive for now but I would strongly suggest you get one. Take the advise that Chuckie gave you, high in the summer and low in the winter.

The pelican · 02-10-2016, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck D

I fished for my first 3 years with no fish finder on a Malibu Extreme, caught plenty of YT. As for bait just troll around a sabiki in about 15-20 ft of water, get some macks and you are good to go. In the warmer months troll a mack on the surface and in the colder months drop one down to the bottom, simple as that. You'll hook up as long as you put the work in... Good luck.

What he said. Fish finder is great for making bait and depth. In warm months, you won't typically use one to mark YT. In cooler months, it helps mark fish though.

02-10-2016, 08:24 AM	#2
maquinapescado Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 326	If you have a helmet and bullet proof vest, head to La Jolla and fish around the obvious clutter of boats and kayaks. I'd say the topic was pretty well covered. In my opinion, I think if you were to target yellowtail anywhere except La Jolla, I think it would be really difficult without out a fish finder, especially in winter. Typically, yellowtail like to hangout around that 90'-150' of water area. It is nice to know where you are and where your bait is in the water column. My first trip to La Jolla, I met Summers in Kuwait (Todd) and he found good success without a fish finder. He would use a GPS app on his phone with coordinates he would put in. You can acquire coordinates from previous catches, where other people are hooked up and from friends. Maybe that would be a cheap start for you????? I'm not sure what app he uses. __________________ Climb, Surf, Fish, Repeat

02-10-2016, 08:56 AM	#3
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	One a serious note: Just buy yourself a fish finder, we all have them for a reason. If you can't afford or fit an HDS7 on your deck get something smaller like the Elite 4. I started off with an Eagle Cuda 150 and now have the HDS 7 touch, its my 4th unit in 7 years. 99.99% of the kayakers and boaters have them for a reason and the 'cool factor' is not the reason. Will dropping a mason's line with a heavy weight and a knot tied every 5' help you determine what depth you're in? Of course it will will but do you really want to do that? If this thread was about whether or not you should buy a car with gauges that are not working everyone would tell you not to do it, right? How are you going to know if you're low on gas or if you're doing 35mph in a 25mph zone or if you're oil level is low? Guys on this site are always upgrading, save up some dough and when the right unit comes along buy it. I'm sure you'll survive for now but I would strongly suggest you get one. Take the advise that Chuckie gave you, high in the summer and low in the winter. __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

02-10-2016, 07:18 AM	#1
Chuck D Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bay Park Posts: 559	I fished for my first 3 years with no fish finder on a Malibu Extreme, caught plenty of YT. As for bait just troll around a sabiki in about 15-20 ft of water, get some macks and you are good to go. In the warmer months troll a mack on the surface and in the colder months drop one down to the bottom, simple as that. You'll hook up as long as you put the work in... Good luck.