Spottie rigging? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

stephenG · 03-10-2014, 08:09 PM

Alright, so I have been fishing Dana point for years, but just started fishing spotties down in SD and something horrible happen. I was fishing light tackle 8lb mono straight to a 3" swim bait. Having a great time chipping away at some spots. All the sudden hook up to something heavy but it's kinda running parallel to me. Then it mays a directions change and I realize I have very serious fish hooked. It rips about 15 yds of line then pop. I'm guessing it was respectable sized flattie. So. The question is: do you fish a fluro leader when pitching small plastic to spotties in the bAy? And if so, what pound test?

buddha · 03-10-2014, 08:16 PM

I listened to Mike Gardner at the Fred Hall show the dean of spottie fishing in socal. He uses 30 lb. braid and a flurocarbon leader in the bay.

MrPatrick · 03-10-2014, 08:18 PM

I 50# braid and a flouro leader. Easier to tie the heavier braid without using readers.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Cadillyak · 03-10-2014, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrPatrick

I 50# braid and a flouro leader. Easier to tie the heavier braid without using readers.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

x2. 50lb braid and leader depends on yak or shore. Yak 15lb-25lb. Shore 12lb. I've also been know to go straight braid. Power pro in vermillion red.

IN2DEEP · 03-10-2014, 09:44 PM

Check this video out
Heavier braid (50lb) for baitcaster reels and lighter braid for spinners
I've found that there's a difference between even 30lb and 20lb braid on a spinner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMIjwWWKQqQ

stephenG · 03-11-2014, 05:38 AM

Right on, I was using my light weight stuff to keep plenty of sport in it for the spotties but I guess it just cost me the big one. I may try just upgrading to a 20# fluro leader or something. I'm thinking it broke either at the knot or in the corner of the fishes mouth (teeth).

double p · 03-11-2014, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IN2DEEP

Check this video out
Heavier braid (50lb) for baitcaster reels and lighter braid for spinners
I've found that there's a difference between even 30lb and 20lb braid on a spinner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMIjwWWKQqQ

that was a great video, very informative

Fishwhisperer619 · 03-11-2014, 07:25 AM

Using the heavier line can still be sporty, just don't beef up the rod. I use a 8-17lb st croix for my bay fishing. Really soft tip. And the curado I have on it is spooled with 50lb braid and 15-20lb floro depending on what I'm using.

kauaiboy04 · 03-11-2014, 08:04 AM

honestly, you can go direct braid. but, if you feel the need for 'invisibility', then sure go ahead and put on a fluoro leader. i haven't really noticed fish being line shy, be it halibut or spotties.

Fishwhisperer619 · 03-11-2014, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kauaiboy04

honestly, you can go direct braid. but, if you feel the need for 'invisibility', then sure go ahead and put on a fluoro leader. i haven't really noticed fish being line shy, be it halibut or spotties.

Yea halibut are moat definitely not line shy. I've seen the caught with a cable leader, not wire, CABLE, like ones used to lock up bicycles to poles. Never gone straight braid with spotties before but I would agree that they aren't line shy

IN2DEEP · 03-12-2014, 08:35 PM

Question for those who use straight braid:

When you get a good hang up and have to break off, does it break at the knot or in the middle?

I always use a mono or fluorocarbon leader because it will always break there

alanw · 03-12-2014, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IN2DEEP

Question for those who use straight braid:

When you get a good hang up and have to break off, does it break at the knot or in the middle?

I always use a mono or fluorocarbon leader because it will always break there

It breaks where I cut it

Yea I try not to use straight braid anymore. Need gloves on just to pull on that stuff without cutting my hands. #65 is tough to break while on the yak.

Fishwhisperer619 · 03-12-2014, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanw

It breaks where I cut it

Yea I try not to use straight braid anymore. Need gloves on just to pull on that stuff without cutting my hands. #65 is tough to break while on the yak.

When I'm in the bay and I get hung up, I end up straightening my hooks before breaking straight braid. Not saying I'm superman haha I just use really thin hooks

03-10-2014, 08:09 PM	#1
stephenG Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: San Clemente Posts: 97	Spottie rigging? Alright, so I have been fishing Dana point for years, but just started fishing spotties down in SD and something horrible happen. I was fishing light tackle 8lb mono straight to a 3" swim bait. Having a great time chipping away at some spots. All the sudden hook up to something heavy but it's kinda running parallel to me. Then it mays a directions change and I realize I have very serious fish hooked. It rips about 15 yds of line then pop. I'm guessing it was respectable sized flattie. So. The question is: do you fish a fluro leader when pitching small plastic to spotties in the bAy? And if so, what pound test?

03-10-2014, 09:44 PM	#5
IN2DEEP Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 82	Check this video out Heavier braid (50lb) for baitcaster reels and lighter braid for spinners I've found that there's a difference between even 30lb and 20lb braid on a spinner http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMIjwWWKQqQ __________________ Not as much of a Noob w/a PA12

03-11-2014, 08:04 AM	#9
kauaiboy04 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Sandy Eggo Posts: 215	honestly, you can go direct braid. but, if you feel the need for 'invisibility', then sure go ahead and put on a fluoro leader. i haven't really noticed fish being line shy, be it halibut or spotties. __________________ http://socalkayak.blogspot.com

03-12-2014, 08:35 PM	#11
IN2DEEP Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 82	Question for those who use straight braid: When you get a good hang up and have to break off, does it break at the knot or in the middle? I always use a mono or fluorocarbon leader because it will always break there __________________ Not as much of a Noob w/a PA12

03-10-2014, 08:16 PM	#2
buddha Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: chula vista Posts: 907	I listened to Mike Gardner at the Fred Hall show the dean of spottie fishing in socal. He uses 30 lb. braid and a flurocarbon leader in the bay.

03-10-2014, 08:18 PM	#3
MrPatrick Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Waiting to launch Posts: 1,381	I 50# braid and a flouro leader. Easier to tie the heavier braid without using readers. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

03-11-2014, 05:38 AM	#6
stephenG Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: San Clemente Posts: 97	Right on, I was using my light weight stuff to keep plenty of sport in it for the spotties but I guess it just cost me the big one. I may try just upgrading to a 20# fluro leader or something. I'm thinking it broke either at the knot or in the corner of the fishes mouth (teeth).

03-11-2014, 07:25 AM	#8
Fishwhisperer619 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: chula vista Posts: 323	Using the heavier line can still be sporty, just don't beef up the rod. I use a 8-17lb st croix for my bay fishing. Really soft tip. And the curado I have on it is spooled with 50lb braid and 15-20lb floro depending on what I'm using.