Surface iron

[THE DARKHORSE]

Originally Posted by Siebler

Hes right, I always have my drag hammered. As did everybody else I worked with. At least on my newell 338 the drags are going to allow a fish to run long before the line breaks. Plus you can always back it off if you really need to. In a kayak your boat is eliminating much of the need for drags when fishing heavier line.

I couldn't of said it better myself.
Reason #1 : For the guys that haven't spent much time offshore, or refuse to fish sportboats (priceless fishing knowledge of guys who have fished their whole lives, "old salts"), I can see the feeling to hesitate on using heavier drag. For someone who is coming straight from fishing lakes and streams fishing 14 lbs of drag feels ridiculous, and it would be on 25 lb flouro. But with quality 40 lb mono (Izorline is my favorite), the only thing I think about when pulling on fish is : "how hard can I pull without straightening out this hook". Like C.J. pointed out, on a kayak your not even using that max drag you set, since the kayak moves towards the fish as soon as you hook up, a.k.a. "sleigh ride". Even if you can't stand the idea of fishing off a cattle boat, next time the bite is going off at the local islands or La Jolla watch the guys in the bow fishing the iron, pay attention....it might change how you fish.

Reason #2 : People hesitate to fish heavier drag because of the time between solid fish (one month-three months-a year), I completely understand this one. This is a cancerous situation though, because you will end up being more and more nervous fighting your fish, fishing baby drag, and "you will lose more fish". For fear of pulling too hard you play the fish out (good idea...sometimes), but if you have a solid hook placement on a Yellowtail (in the mouth), you can pretty much "pull as hard as you want".

[dorado50]

You can make a 30# fish feel like a 10# fish and you can make a 200# fish feel like a 60# fish, it all depends on ones stlye and ones applications. Fishing from a kayak and fishing from a boat are two different ball games. Similarities,yes, differences,many. If I'm fishing a kayak catch and release tournament I'm fishing 40# line with near full drag and I'll have that fish boatside in minutes; if I'm fishing catch and release from boat I've got 100# line(ex.) near full drag , and a good boat captain and I've got that fish boatside in no time. Otherwise I'm using a 25 to 30# line with a nice 80% drag at hookset and finesse that fish to the kayak...

Have some fun in LJ, take it easy and enjoy every moment of that fish ,from hookset to gaff.

[THE DARKHORSE]

Originally Posted by dorado50

You can make a 30# fish feel like a 10# fish and you can make a 200# fish feel like a 60# fish, it all depends on ones stlye and ones applications. Fishing from a kayak and fishing from a boat are two different ball games. Similarities,yes, differences,many. If I'm fishing a kayak catch and release tournament I'm fishing 40# line with near full drag and I'll have that fish boatside in minutes; if I'm fishing catch and release from boat I've got 100# line(ex.) near full drag , and a good boat captain and I've got that fish boatside in no time. Otherwise I'm using a 25 to 30# line with a nice 80% drag at hookset and finesse that fish to the kayak...

This is the beauty of a public forumn...Dave is an amazing fisherman himself that I have a great deal of respect for, he knows what he's talking about. There is no one way to fish, how boring would that be?

On a side note, Dave brought up a great point that I didn't touch on. The aspect of making a huge fish feel smaller or vice versa in most people's case, who choose to use light drag. With light drag you can't get an accurate reed on the size of the fish like you can with heavy drag. Any Yellowtail 10 lb's+ will rip drag off the reel, with heavier drag you can get a much better read on the weight of the fish during the initial run, and after that turn on the wench.

Another great point would be to "choose your battles". When I'm near kelp or structure below, lobster floats, Sealions etc., I fish very heavy drag. When I'm in 300' of water without a dog in sight fighting schooling 15 lb Yellowtail, I back down a little and enjoy the fight.

My last reason to fish the heavy drag "in schooling situations" is you will catch more fish, less time to the boat will result in more shots at the school, and more shots at getting a trophy...choose your battles.

[Geoffkoop]

I will be happy to have any kind of yellow battle. Thanks for the input gents!

[dorado50]

Its amazing sometimes how one could have a difference or variance of opinion and still be friends, right on Bro..... Your points are well taken and very,very valid. ps. I'll be trying the 40# on theoff the kayak soon....ahhh..... well someday...

[THE DARKHORSE]

I hope to see you in the morning, maybe I'll ring your door-bell when I park my car .

I think that's the difference between an aquaintence and friends, who needs to get upset deciding blonde or brunette, not me .
I only kinda rock, but bro like I hope to some day.

[esdees]

You both rock.