Fishing in the "weeds"

Hi everyone, fishing the kelp beds can be really productive for rockfish as I'm sure you guys know.   I see tons of fish on the fishfinder in the kelp  BUT....   it sure gets frustrating getting snagged on the kelp stringers.    I've mainly been using a dropper loop with an iron on the bottom with some success but I'm looking for other tips that our fellow kayakers are using to minimize the kelp snags.    I've been thinking of rigging weedless like what the largemouth bass fisherman do with plastics.  What do you guys think??    Thanks for sharing the knowledge!   ClarkT

Kelp can be super productive. I think less is more in the kelp. Fish either a single swimbait with a lead head or go full weedless freshwater bass style. Anything dropper loop style or shrimp flies make an instant snag.

The main thing in the kelp is to slow your drift. Whether that means tying off to a piece of bull kelp so you can fish the pockets or paddling to slow your drift and maintain position is up to you.

If you drift in the kelp you snag instantly but if you are more or less stationary it is suprising how small of a pocket you can fish effectively.

-Eliot

Thanks Eliot!    I'm going to give the weedless setup a try next time out.   I think that would work out well if I can sit on top of a pocket or small opening in the kelp.   Have you tried out a drop-shot setup?  I bet that might work well too when rigging the plastic weedless. 

What Otter said. Loose the fly and don't drift. I also like to switch all iron treble hooks to J hooks because I can easily shake them out of a snag. The key is not the set the hook when you feel the snag. I keep my pressure as low as I can whenever I think I'm hung up and introduce a little slack into the line. I use the slack to jiggle the lure violently and 90% of the time if I didn't set I'll get the jig back.  I'm no expert but I've lost probably a hundered jigs in the kelp and this is the most effective method for me. Other than that don't buy a lure and expect to use it more than one trip and you'll be fine.

-Tim