Rockfish setups?

 

  OK, I know RF season is upon us (soon) What setups do you all choose to use?  30+ yrs back I remember going out with my stepfather on his 24'bayliner and we used pretty heavy rods with pullies or rollers at the tips,  Penn jigmaster reels with at least 30Lb mono, (300' depths off davenport about 1/2 mile)and hooks were simple yarn jigs (Between 3 & 5 hooks) maybe 6-7 oz of weight to get through the mackrel.   Arms were wiped out when all the hooks had fish on them up  from 300'!

  Today, I have the old setups from my SF's boat, (He sold the boat), I'm using one of the Penns for my leadline trout troller, and the Penn 506  I think it is) I had Mr. Tani tune it up,and I hve it mounted on a Uglystik firetiger 8' (Tigersomething)that I used at Paradise a few years ago.

Less than 2 months now and I'm home!

In the deeper water, I like jigging the iron (usually a white colored 8-12 oz. bar) and one fly a couple of feet above it.  You still get your rockfish and have a better chance with Mr. Ling on the  big bar. Seems like the larger rockfish love the iron as well. I use a Shimano TLD20/Fenwick Seahawk Offshore stick and (usually) 30-40 lb Trilene Big Game.

For kayak fishing , I'm new to the game, but I'll be going with a Shimano TLD15/Calstar Grafighter 700L w/25 lb Trilene Big Game. I'll See how it works!

 

Well start with sending me a pm for 3 and 4 oz. jigs then add big hammer swim baits and you will have a successful day 

Troy???  Rockfishing???  Alright buddy    I'll take you any time you want and you can borrow whatever you need, I have plenty 

Well start with sending me a pm for 3 and 4 oz. jigs then add big hammer swim baits and you will have a successful day 

What he said. (but don't pm me about the jigs!)

rod and reel wise go lighter. keep in mind you have no rail to rest it on. So you WILL be holding it all day. Trevala's are great. but many of the uglysticks are fine. reel wise the abu 6500's are great, but there are many others (in that size) You also don't need a winch b/c the drag is limited to how much it takes to pull you in the boat. I've used heavy bass gear and did just fine. Nice and balanced and a joy to hold all day.

As for terminal tackle I have been using a funky set up for the last two seasons. Here is the...From the main line I tie on a three way swivel. On one "leg" I tie 2-3ft of 30lb mono. To that I tie on a 2, 4 or 6 oz lead head (swell and conditions determine weight, need more than 6oz. and I am going in!) To the jig I attach a swim bait or curly tail grub. I pretty much use white/pearl/glo and a root beer flake (basically a light and dark). Now for the odd part. on the 'short' leg of the 3 way. I loop on a pre snelled 3/0 bait holder hook (mustad has a 6 pack for $1.50 at FW). On that I thread on a small plastic grub. Why this set up?

1. I always seem to break off dropper loops (and see #5)
2. With this set up when you jig it up it looks like the big swim bait is chasing a small bait fish
3. If you want to just fish for big fish you can clip off the small bait and not have to re-tie an entire new rig. (and see #5)
4. If you get hung up 75% of the time its the small hook, which is made of 18lb. so it's simple to snap off.
5. I GET SEA SICK SO THE LESS TIME I SPEND LOOKING DOWN TYING KNOT AND RIGGING THE BETTER!

Yeah, go lighter on the rig. We're not fishing 300' anymore. The name of the game is shallow water rockfish.
I take a heavy rod, a #30 outfit, and a light one, #12 line. I tend to use the lighter one the most. Both are conventional rigs.

Yeah, go lighter on the rig. We're not fishing 300' anymore. The name of the game is shallow water rockfish.
I take a heavy rod, a #30 outfit, and a light one, #12 line. I tend to use the lighter one the most. Both are conventional rigs.

x2
I figure on fishing jigs of 2-4oz. I have a few heavier lures, but usually if I have to fish more than 4oz the drift is too fast & it is time to head in. I use 30lb & 20lb on my rigs, abu 6500s.

I like a shimano Cardiff 301 with 20 lb p-line CXX, and a longer rod (7"10 ish, heavy).

I like a shimano Cardiff 301 with 20 lb p-line CXX, and a longer rod (7"10 ish, heavy).

I like the 401, since it has a clicker, and paired with a MH 7" Trevala it's been my favorite RF combo. 

Got a 401, too, but I mostly use the 301. I like to "palm" the reel and have a finger on the line, and the 401 is a little bulky fo that. I use the 401 with 40-lb braid (and 30-lb fluorocarbon top-shot) for deeper water, but it doesn't see as much use. Also I usually have a 12-lb setup (bass rod) with me.

Here's an older thread of my favorite RF setup

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,19491.msg197742.html#msg197742