Ideal WSB gear?

With all these reports of WSB running through various areas of the California coast, I'm looking to try my luck in hooking up with a ghost.

However, I would like to be as prepared as possible when I do get a chance to hunt for them. With that said, I hope that I can as many inputs/advices from experienced WSB anglers.

What is the ideal rig, line, and pole/reel setup for them? Any advice would be greatly appreciated

I will be posting hookups and a report when I do go out for them. Thank you all!!

- Daniel

I'm no expert, but here's my two cents:

Use light line, say 15 to 20 lb test. Fluorocarbon leader. Use a limber rod, and be patient with your fish, keeping gentle pressure on all the time. They have soft mouths, and you may regret trying to "put the wood to em" . If you're not close to kelp etc, take your time.

Good luck

I think you're Trevala paired with the Revo is plenty
enough to fight the WSB. I was given a tip to use
30 lb flor. carbon as a leader and make them at least
three feet long. Good luck on your chase for the WSB
bro. Please let me know if the hook up will be on a
Saturday so I can make it.

Jedmo

Jed & Paul,
Thanks for your inputs! I'm looking to go out for the WSB either on Monday or Tuesday, possibly both days As for Saturday hookup fishing, I may be able to do the 27th if you're interested. I'll keep you posted brother!

In regards to the rod/reel combo, I hope the trevala/revo combo works. Since these fish can get BIG, I'm thinking about taking another combo (g loomis/talica) that I use for tuna/albies. Would this setup be too much for WSB?

Would be a more sure thing. Id have spectra on if your anywhere near kelp and a 20lb top shop of floro is pretty strong and 3ft is a good size leader you want the spectra to cut threw the kelp if its around not your leader.
Good Luck

Daniel:

I've got no advise for your setup.  I only got a funny story

The only reason I decided to get stoked on kayak fishing was WSB.  In early July, I went out to Santa Cruz Island on my So Cal bro's boat and landed a 26# ghost.  Totally F-ing lit my angling fire.  Got back to Santa Cruz and immediately converted my kayak surfer to a fish killer.  Two yard-sales later and I'm still stoked. 

I completely understand the WSB obsession.  I caught mine off a power boat jigging live sardines on some pre-made set-up my bro put on his pole for me.  The trick was newby imbecile dumb luck: the drag was set way (WAY!) loose.

The bait got hit, I was slow to respond (it was 0830 and I was the only sober angler on the boat).  I started to reel him in like a mad man.  After a while I noticed that while cranking like a masturbating monkey and telling everyone I got a little one, the line continued to spool off.  Oh, Yeah... Huh?  No experience on a conventional bait caster, no idea which way to work the drag.  Finally got it tightened up and "BOING"  the rod goes bendo.  You know what I mean:  Whow, maybe it's a OK fish.  10 minutes later, we have fish tacos for lunch.

The moral of the story is (as far as my kook a$$ goes) Go Easy.  When (and if) you get hit, let him take it before you push back.  The fish does not care what gear you are using. 

My two cents......If you're fishing in or around kelp, use a kelp cutter rig....30# plus braid with a short top shot of 30 to 40# flouro.  If you're not around kelp, 25 or 30# will do, a bit of flouro carbon helps getting hooked up and with abrasion.  I hooked up on a power boat with 20#, no kelp, and broke off in less than a minute.  On my kayak, my 40+ pound fish was landed on 25# line.  On a kayak with no kelp and off the bottom structure, it's hard to break 25 or 30# line.  The fish just pulls you around faster.