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Topic: How to fish around/in kelp beds?  (Read 2220 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

PBSmelt

  • Sardine
  • *
  • Location: San Francisco
  • Date Registered: Jul 2020
  • Posts: 4
I'm always hesitant to drop my line into kelp beds for fear of 1)losing a setup 2) spending time fighting grass and possibly losing a fish on the line and 3) spinning in circles and getting seasick.
But I also know theres good fishing to be done so if you have any tips you're willing to share on how to be more efficient/productive around kelp beds, I would highly appreciate it! (currently working w/o a FF).


  • Location: Don't call it Frisco
  • Date Registered: Feb 2018
  • Posts: 595
I don't think you can fully guarantee that you won't get snagged, but you can do things to minimize getting hung up. Use braid main line instead of mono to cut through kelp. Also use a heavy mono/fluoro leader for abrasion management. I also like to bounce my rig up and down while feeling bottom. 
2015 Hobie Revo 13
2017 Hobie i12s
Stealth Fisha 460


FisHunter

  • SonomaCoastSafetySquad
  • Manatee
  • *****
  • Mooch Taught Me How To Live Life
  • Location: pinole,ca.
  • Date Registered: Mar 2006
  • Posts: 11765
try droppin along the outside edge of the kelp line. I HATE fishing IN it, but LOVE hittin the edge!

Goodluck and be safe
Be Safe, Not Sorry = B'ropeUpFool!

Winner of nothing but goodtimes with good friends.


AlexB

  • Sea Lion
  • ****
  • Location: Oakland, CA
  • Date Registered: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 5226
I found its best to use a simple swimbait on a light (1 oz or less) head when fishing heavy kelp - no teaser up the line.

Poke holes through the kelp with your paddle, then do quick drops down to the bottom, couple cranks, little wiggle/twitch, then pull it back up. When you leave your rig down there for a while, the currents tend to take it places you might not want it to go. And, if fish are there they will likely smack it right on the first drop anyway.


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crash

  • Sea Lion
  • ****
  • Location: Eureka
  • Date Registered: Dec 2007
  • Posts: 6601
Kelp beds?

I seem to vaguely remember those from a long time ago.
"SCIENCE SUCKS" - bmb


FishingAddict

  • Sea Lion
  • ****
  • Location: Fremont
  • Date Registered: Nov 2007
  • Posts: 5088
Drop your usual gear down the holes.

2018 Hobie Revolution 13 Cheeesy Orange Papaya
2019 Hobie Revolution 11 Seagrass Green


eelkram

  • Sea Lion
  • ****
  • it's my name, backwards
  • Location: SFO
  • Date Registered: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 1766
Look up how to rig "weedless" rigs.  That'll help immensely, but you're still gonna get hung up.  It's all part of it.  Embrace the suck
'15 Viking ProFish Reload, wasp
'11 Hobie Revo 13, skunk yellow
'12 Hobie Outfitter, dune (I'm the guy pedaling in the back)


Dale L

  • Sea Lion
  • ****
  • Location: Livermore
  • Date Registered: Dec 2005
  • Posts: 4966
try droppin along the outside edge of the kelp line. I HATE fishing IN it, but LOVE hittin the edge!

Goodluck and be safe

As a yak fisher and a used to be diver, this would be my advice. 


NowhereMan

  • Manatee
  • *****
  • 44.5"/38.5#
  • YouTube Channel
  • Location: Lexington Hills (Santa Clara County)
  • Date Registered: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 12964
I don't like stuff that sucks.
    --- Butt-Head


 

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