Kayak Fishing in Fort Bragg Area for Newbs

Hey All,

Im going on Sunday morning for the first time on my kayak in FB area. The only set up i ever used in fb is a High/Low from the rocks, no idea what setup to use from the yak! Any suggestions, diagrams, Links? Anything at all. I have my Penn 5000(spinning) with Power pro 65 or 50 test on a 7' pole. At this point all i know is you drop the line straight down and something about jig heads! I hope to catch my first fish this weekend from the yak!

Thanks!

Hi Ykers:
 I use a Three-way setup and whole Squid from Ranch 99 Mkt.
It might be a litle hard to break-off  from a snag when using > 25Lb Test line.
 4" Perch "Buzz Bombs" work for most RF but, Treble hooks can be sticky to fish with.
 Watch out for Swells that will slam you into the Reef.
                                                                                   Sea-ya
                                                                                   Ernie
RF Tips from Fishsniffer
http://fishsniffer.com/guest/jmrocfishpart2.html
 Tips form His' tackle in SF.
http://www.histacklebox.com/main/      
Three-way google
http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADBF_en&q=three+way+swivel+rig&revid=1295666762&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=E_YkTIm1FKqpnAe18ajHBA&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=6&ved=0CD8QsAQwBQ                                                                                       

I'd go with you, but Sunday is not the day. It sounds like it's going to be snotty out there.

I'd go with you, but Sunday is not the day. It sounds like it's going to be snotty out there.

if the weather if iffy i wont go out! i know its extremely dangerous. Where can i check the weather? 

get yourself a Noaa radio and listen to 162.50 or 162.55  you will be getting all the marine weather. and more.  it will help you feel safe, not to mention your family.

there are lot's of websites for wx conditions, but try Stormsurf.com, or NOAA.

I think the most common setup is a jighead (2 to 4 oz dependingn on conditions and drift), with a swimbait or scampi tipped with squid.  It's plain vanilla, but should work.  A lot of guys have their own homemade lures which look very impressive (yes, including Barbie), but the basics will catch RF and lings.  good luck and hope to see a nice report.

Being in a yak, being able to breakoff a snag safely is really important, for a newb I'd suggest nothing heavier than about 20 pound line for a leader.

Your rod and reel are fine.  Go to Rite Aid in Fort Bragg and buy any of the tackle and jig heads that are 2-4 oz.  Put 5 - 7 inch tails on the heads.  Rite Aid sell mostly for rock fishing.  Alternative:  Go down to the Noyo Fishing Center in the harbor and ask John what's working.  He talks with the party boat guys every day.

 My all time best method is to jig metal spoons. Don't use the treble hooks it comes with, change it to a good quality single hook and always use braided line. The single hook will not snag on the bottom nearly as often and the braided line ( with its low stretch properties) allows you to feel the bottom better. Free spool to the bottom and as soon as you hit bottom reel up a couple turns. Then jig up and down until you feel a strike. It's a learned skill but once you learn it you will caught more bottom fish than anyone else!! Keep at it until you've mastered it. You will never regret learning how to jig metal spoons.

When I get snagged on the bottom, I let some line out and then wrap several turns (how many depends on how slippery the handle of the knocker is) around my fish knocker and hold it right alongside the yak and let the waves or wind break it off.  I'm using 30 lb leaders and have never felt like I'm going over.

for weather and ocean conditions....

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,25713.0.html