Thoughts on my set up? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

SoCalEDC · 08-27-2020, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sakana Seeker

Hi All,
Getting my rigs together for targeting YT for the first time. Been trying to piece everything together and I think I’m getting close. I’m planning on being in SD end of Sept for a week with a couple of days of fishing out of LJ from my Revo 13. Would love to get your thoughts on what I’ve got so far. Thanks!

I have 2 set ups, one I’d like to use for fly-line/Carolina live bait and the other for yo-yos or surface iron (I know that many recommend that these are different set ups, but I have to go with what I have. I will probably rely on yo-yo over surface iron with this rig because its how i like to fish).

Rig 1 (irons/jigs)
Reel: Avet MXJ 6/4 2 speed lever-drag
Rod: Teramar 15-40
Line: Plan to use 65# braid (300 yds with 40# mono backing), Alberto knot to 40# (or lighter?) mono top shot of (how long?) with a direct tie to the soldered part of the ring on the iron.
Tackle: Salas 6x Jr (scrambled egg, mint/white), Colt sniper 100g Green Mackerel, Tandy 45s (mint/silver and chrome/blue)

Main question here: how long of a mono top shot and what weight? Mono or Fluoro? Also, when switching between jigs, do you just cut the line at the jig and re-tie to the next one? Or do you put a clip/snap between the leader and the jig? Any line twist issues without a swivel in-line?

Rig 2 (live bait fly line or Carolina)
Reel: Accurate Boss Magnum 870 (4:1 retrieve)
Rod: Teramar 20-50
Line: 65# braid to 30# mono (or Fluoro?) top shot of (how long?), tied via Alberto knot. SD Jam knot to hook.
Tackle: 2/0 or 4/0 ringed circle hook (or J-hook? Personally, I don’t like circles...).
Option: use a snap swivel and sliding sinker on the main braid to allow for a sabiki, and to be able to add weight to the sliding sinker for a Carolina-like setup. Reverse dropper also possible with this.

You won't get much 40# mono on top of 300 yards of 65# on that mxj in my experience with my mxj.

Sakana Seeker · 08-27-2020, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalEDC

You won't get much 40# mono on top of 300 yards of 65# on that mxj in my experience with my mxj.

Thank you for that. You are right, line diameter for 65# braid is equivalent to 20# mono. According to Avet, I am limited to 300 yards. I will go for 50# which will allow 480 yards. ~400 with mono backing and room for top shot. Appreciate the heads up.

FullFlavorPike · 08-27-2020, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sakana Seeker

Thank you for that. You are right, line diameter for 65# braid is equivalent to 20# mono. According to Avet, I am limited to 300 yards. I will go for 50# which will allow 480 yards. ~400 with mono backing and room for top shot. Appreciate the heads up.

You won't need mono backing. Tell your shop you want it filled with 50# braid with a 50 yard topshot of 30# mono or copolymer. If it's your yoyo rig, you can leave that braid on there basically forever, and change the topshot out periodically for a pittance.

summers in kuwait · 08-27-2020, 11:22 AM

For me I usually set up as follows:

AVET JX or MXJ 65 lb braid. On the JX I tie ~40 lb mono and run ~50 yards topshot connected with the alberto knot. On the MXJ, I tie a ~20 yards of 20-40 lb fluoro connected with the alberto.

SX and SXJ 50 lb braid. For these rigs I usually just run a ~10 ft leader connected with either alberto knot or more commonly a Spro Swivel.
The swivels are rated pretty high and fit through the eyes on my rods. This makes for switching rigs/leaders much easier.

When switching from yellowtails, halibut or WSB to rockfish at the end of the day, I like having less mono or fluoro leader. Braid wont stretch like these materials and this is plus when dropping 120-200 ft for lingcod or other rock fish. The stretch in the line can affect setting the hook for these fish or responding to snags or variances in bottom contour.

I only use three knots for fishing:

Alberto (line to line)
Spider Hitch (Loop - Dropper Loop)
San Diego Jam (Hook or swivel connection)

I will use an overhand knot, or weak breaking knot to attach my sinkers though.

Over the years I have been downsizing my reels, but and Avet SX, SXJ or MXJ can handle some some serious fish. With the smaller reels you wont have as good of drag range, so compared to LX or JX, but they will still work fine. The Gen2 are improved on this with added drag and ratcheting glide plate.

fishnfoool · 08-27-2020, 11:30 AM

Your mxj has plenty of drag needed for yellowtail. The 40# test you're fishing should primarily be for your benefit knowing that it most likely won't break or get chewed off. I fish 50# top shot on my avet sx when the yellowtail are really biting. Remember, it has only 9lbs at strike but 14lbs max. That is plenty for yellowtail on a kayak. The accurate is not overkill. It's nice knowing you could also go after larger fish with the same setup.

08-27-2020, 11:22 AM	#4
summers in kuwait Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: East County San Diego Posts: 657	For me I usually set up as follows: AVET JX or MXJ 65 lb braid. On the JX I tie ~40 lb mono and run ~50 yards topshot connected with the alberto knot. On the MXJ, I tie a ~20 yards of 20-40 lb fluoro connected with the alberto. SX and SXJ 50 lb braid. For these rigs I usually just run a ~10 ft leader connected with either alberto knot or more commonly a Spro Swivel. The swivels are rated pretty high and fit through the eyes on my rods. This makes for switching rigs/leaders much easier. When switching from yellowtails, halibut or WSB to rockfish at the end of the day, I like having less mono or fluoro leader. Braid wont stretch like these materials and this is plus when dropping 120-200 ft for lingcod or other rock fish. The stretch in the line can affect setting the hook for these fish or responding to snags or variances in bottom contour. I only use three knots for fishing: Alberto (line to line) Spider Hitch (Loop - Dropper Loop) San Diego Jam (Hook or swivel connection) I will use an overhand knot, or weak breaking knot to attach my sinkers though. Over the years I have been downsizing my reels, but and Avet SX, SXJ or MXJ can handle some some serious fish. With the smaller reels you wont have as good of drag range, so compared to LX or JX, but they will still work fine. The Gen2 are improved on this with added drag and ratcheting glide plate.

08-27-2020, 11:30 AM	#5
fishnfoool Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Long beach Posts: 304	Your mxj has plenty of drag needed for yellowtail. The 40# test you're fishing should primarily be for your benefit knowing that it most likely won't break or get chewed off. I fish 50# top shot on my avet sx when the yellowtail are really biting. Remember, it has only 9lbs at strike but 14lbs max. That is plenty for yellowtail on a kayak. The accurate is not overkill. It's nice knowing you could also go after larger fish with the same setup.