Musings on the Learning Curve - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Denis_Ruso · 10-16-2018, 10:37 AM

Ahh I see. I have a slightly different technique because I got tired of having bait unhook&disappear under my seat.

So using heavy lead keeps the line pretty straight, having only 4 hooks makes it more manageable. But what I also do is use a dehooker right over the bait tank to avoid bringing the whole rig into the kayak. Turn my body, put a foot in the water for balance and then pull the sabiki against the side of the kayak over the bait tank. IMO its a game changer because you get better bait this way- they spend less time out of the water and you also don't touch them on the way into the bait tank. So the slime coat stays on.

Just make sure that side you do this on is clear of anything hookable. Bungees, ropes etc.
I do loose a few while i'm unhooking though every time.

ProfessorLongArms · 10-16-2018, 10:43 AM

Huh... i’m going to have to give this a shot. I also might need to get a tiny de-hooker, as the one I use is way too big for the size of hooks I have.

My attitude has always been to get the string of fish over the boat as quickly as possible, before they start falling off the hooks (tiny hooks with minimal barbs)
That said, I’ve never had a shortage of Spanish in the kelp... if anything I’ll probably end up with too much in my tank, so I’ll give this a go.

I’ve noticed when I use a bigger one with no ahi stick, they stay on much better, but I have had to cut entire hooks off and deal with them later when they catch on anything.

10-16-2018, 10:37 AM	#1
Denis_Ruso Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 571	Ahh I see. I have a slightly different technique because I got tired of having bait unhook&disappear under my seat. So using heavy lead keeps the line pretty straight, having only 4 hooks makes it more manageable. But what I also do is use a dehooker right over the bait tank to avoid bringing the whole rig into the kayak. Turn my body, put a foot in the water for balance and then pull the sabiki against the side of the kayak over the bait tank. IMO its a game changer because you get better bait this way- they spend less time out of the water and you also don't touch them on the way into the bait tank. So the slime coat stays on. Just make sure that side you do this on is clear of anything hookable. Bungees, ropes etc. I do loose a few while i'm unhooking though every time. __________________ 2018 Hobie Outback 13 I do not fear the storm as it will teach me how to sail my ship.

10-16-2018, 10:43 AM	#2
ProfessorLongArms Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 401	Huh... i’m going to have to give this a shot. I also might need to get a tiny de-hooker, as the one I use is way too big for the size of hooks I have. My attitude has always been to get the string of fish over the boat as quickly as possible, before they start falling off the hooks (tiny hooks with minimal barbs) That said, I’ve never had a shortage of Spanish in the kelp... if anything I’ll probably end up with too much in my tank, so I’ll give this a go. I’ve noticed when I use a bigger one with no ahi stick, they stay on much better, but I have had to cut entire hooks off and deal with them later when they catch on anything.