Another salt water trip/learning experience

[Bass & BBQ]

A guy I met on another forum invited me to go fish Munyon Island this morning. Had good weather and an 8:30am high tide so of we went. Pretty place.





Carried the kayak down a path that wasnt wide enough for me and my kayak and got in the water around 7am. No wind to start but it picked up pretty good and the incoming current was moving the water pretty good. It was a fairly uneventful trip as far as boating fish was concerned. I did manage to catch this beast.




I was thinking about it and I've actually been out on my kayak less than 10 times but I am feeling pretty comfortable. I am pretty happy with how I have it set up, other than I need to re-do my anchor trolley and I may want to have an option to mount my camera.





I'm even feeling pretty good about finding fish. I am really inexperienced in the salt water but I have found that using some common sense, I can figure out where to find a fish and have gotten some very quality bites. In fact, I had something huge blow up on my spook jr. twice today but he just wouldnt take it. I thought it was a jack but John said he thought big snook.

My problem is equipment. The spinning reel is giving me a fit. I made sure to close the bail by hand ever single time today and pull the line tight and look at it to make sure everything is ok. I still ended up with 3 knots from hell and had to cut the line and start over. I dont know if it is because it is new line or if 20lb test braid is just too light or if I need a different braid. Half way through the trip today I was ready to get rid of it. I find the baitcaster combo I got from Lt. is flawless and I end up throwing it most of the time.

Next problem is leader. I'm using 20lb braid so I bought 15lb flouro leader. But I have had quick break offs at least 3 times in 2 trips. Like today, I was throwing a swimming jerk bait of some kind and got a nice bite on the spinning outfit. Smooth setup, felt good. Fish took drag for about a second and then ............... gone. Look at the leader and it is a clean cut. Never had a chance. Maybe a gill plate or something toothy.

I have 15lb mono on the baitcaster and had a big jack on last week but got cut off on some oyster. That would have happened with any line and I like the reel with the mono on it but I'm starting to think I'm going to load it with heavy braid like my bass rods and use a 30lb flouro leader. I have everything rigged light to make sure I get bites but I am constantly feeling like I brought a knife to a gun fight.

Mostly I'm just venting but I am open to ideas on the spinner. Would 30lb braid do better, or do I need to go lighter? Super frustrated with this thing. And is there a drawback to going with heavy braid and 30lb leader on the baitcasters? I use them for topwater and weighted hooks with paddle tail swim baits and fluke type baits.

[richg99]

30lb braid is the size equivalent of 10 lb ( or less) mono. It will tangle less, too.

I don't know what lures you are throwing, but spoons and many other lures will spin and cause braid to twist. Braid twist is not as easy to see as twisting on mono, but the effect is tons of tangles and knots.

Please don't ask me how I know this....but...I spent half my time on the water this morning un-twisting my braid.

Dumb move, on my part, using a spoon without a swivel the other day...I should know better....

regards,
Rich

[Bass & BBQ]

I figure it is primarily a twisting issue but I'm not sure how it is getting so twisted. Using a swim bait or jerk bait so I know it will twist some but it is after a handful of casts. I even let a bunch of line out today to try to get the twist out.

I think I'll try heavier braid before I give up.

[richg99]

There is, supposedly, a right and wrong way to put the line on the reel the first time. I must be lucky since i don't remember how "they" say to do it, and I usually don't have the twist problems that I experienced today. AND, that line has been on that rod for a year or more.

Perhaps you put it on with twists.

A brochure normally comes with the spool of line that may tell you exactly how to do it,...or our friend Mr. Google will do it.

Might be worthwhile to strip it all off...and put it back on. If I strip line, I normally tie it around a tree or two......and walk off the entire distance, to keep the line free.

regards, Rich

[Bass & BBQ]

I tried that too. Starting to wonder if I got a bad spool of line.

[richg99]

Well, if you, or a friend, has a power boat...the very best way to untangle the line is to drag it...full length out... with NOTHING attached...behind a moving power boat for ten minutes or so.

Rich

[Bass & BBQ]

I'm going to have to try that or get new line and start over. This ain't gonna work.

I also feel the need to qualify some earlier comments. I mentioned I was feeling good about finding fish. It is important to realize this is relatively speaking. I'm happy with finding fish considering I've been salt water fishing in a kayak twice. I have a ton to learn and am actually looking forward to learning. I should have initially said I was happy that I looked at the situation and applied what I thought was common sense and it worked a few times. It could have been straight luck.

[Too Busy]

It's possible that the spool is just a little overfilled. That will cause a lot of pain and aggravation. I fill mine until there is about 1/8 inch of spool lip still showing.

[Bass & BBQ]

It's possible that the spool is just a little overfilled. That will cause a lot of pain and aggravation. I fill mine until there is about 1/8 inch of spool lip still showing.

If it was initially, it isnt now.

I've cut enough line off now that it definitely isnt the problem.

I was actually just reading somewhere else that there are others having trouble with the Penn reels and Power Pro combo. Some have switched to Suffix braid and solved the problem. There are a few other things that could be causing it but I'm trying to take as much user error out of it as I can. I'll hit you up for some Fins Windtamer in the next week or so. That will probably do the trick.

[Lt.FireDog]

Daryl, spent most of today throwing DOA soft baits with Penn Battle (2) and a Penn Conquer, all three loaded with Power Pro braid.....no wind knots.
Keep practicing (ie-fishing ).