Gearing up for Alaska..

Got a nice early surprise gift certificate from family friends for my relocation to Alaska. They got it from Hi's Tackle since it was the closest tackle shop around the area (would have been nice to support Fisherman's Warehouse instead but they did not know any better) Anyway, I picked up a 6'3" Trevala rod (50-100 lb braid / Power: Med. Heavy / Action: Med Fast). I then paired the rod with an Abu Garcia Revo Toro HS that comes with an optional power handle (thanks to Patrick / Holy Toledo for showing off his ) I loaded the reel with 50# Suffix Braided line instead of Power Pro cause I really liked the smoother feel of it.

I'm so stoked and I'm looking forward to tackling the fish natives of Ketchikan with this gear  

Hmmm, you already missed the salmon run up there, unless you are thinking of targeting halibuts. If so, fighting LARGE halibuts with 50# braid will be tricky.

Hmmm, you already missed the salmon run up there, unless you are thinking of targeting halibuts. If so, fighting LARGE halibuts with 50# braid will be tricky.

It's a permanent move so I'll have all the time I want.

Large Halibut with a light set-up = my kind of challenge

Make sure you take lots of pictures and post them here! 

Wow, that must have been some gift certificate.      Sounds like your family friends love you almost as much as we do.

I still don't know if it has sunk in yet, man oh man are you going to be missed.

Michael

Hmmm, you already missed the salmon run up there, unless you are thinking of targeting halibuts. If so, fighting LARGE halibuts with 50# braid will be tricky.

Howards 183# butt went on a light rod with 20# mono.  I kind of think 50# braid is too heavy from the yak.  You can't exert near the force to break it.

Joel, downsize that trevala one size.  The 30-80# is adequate and I think it will be more your style.  And upsize the reel.  That toro is a nice reel, but you'll be jigging heavy jigs in deep water for big fish.  Think light rod with a stout reel.

-Allen

Joel

I have some 50-80# reels for big halis which I can give you. Pm me if you need reels.

Scott

The 50# braid serves as backing and not main line- which gives me the freedom to switch the main line (mono top shot) accordingly.

I really like the low profile of the Revo Toro 51 HS compared to all the typical big,heavy and bulky reels. IMO: the toro paired with the trevala feels really light and comfortable - especially when jigging in deeper water.

I already have a trevala 30/80 rod paired with a calcutta te 401 set up with 40# power pro braid with a 20# mono top shot.

Scott, I appreciate the offer but I think I'm good my my setup for now at least  I've never fished Alaska so I'll be learning from Howard as I go but I'm pretty confident that my choice of gear will do the job.

Sounds like your family friends love you almost as much as we do.

Michael, The family friends that I speak off are of Filipino ethnicity...which means they will be expecting halibut and salmon fillets from me at every holiday of every year till I go extinct

You do have some good peoples behind you.

I loaded the reel with 50# Suffix Braided line instead of Power Pro cause I really liked the smoother feel of it.

I totally agree. I switched to Sufix Performance Braid last year. Their Performance Fuse and Performance Stretch braids are really nice too.

Z

Hey Mooch.  I know you are leaving in the spring right.  I was just wondering what months you'll actually be kayak fishing.  In other words what's the season?  I have the 80-200 trevala rod and love it.  Most of my rods are G-Loomis and I love those too.  I got to fish with the Cho's from Aqua hunters this summer and quickly realized I needed a much bigger rod.  I couldn't find Loomis and that Tevala ended up doing the trick.  Good luck.  Andy

Hmmm, you already missed the salmon run up there, unless you are thinking of targeting halibuts. If so, fighting LARGE halibuts with 50# braid will be tricky.

Hmmmm........

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And how many big halibut have you caught off the kayak, overbored?  Maybe you can give Howard McK some advice on when to best fish "the salmon run" in Ketchikan.....

50 lb braid is usually overkill not undergunned....

Feeling fiesty this morning, I guess.  I hope you stick around, read old postsfor an historical perspective, and share some real kayak fishing with the board.  Opinions count more when they are backed with some proven experience.

My 2 ¢

Allen

I really like the low profile of the Revo Toro 51 HS compared to all the typical big,heavy and bulky reels. IMO: the toro paired with the trevala feels really light and comfortable - especially when jigging in deeper water.

I know what you're saying, the Revo is a nice reel.  But I still think you're going in the wrong direction mated to the rod you chose (also a nice rod), especially with the HS.  I predict you turn this reel into your king salmon reel, mated to an 8-8.5 foot rod.   

-Allen

You got a rod & reel for Alaska kayak fishing? I thought you were going to go with a handline & harpoon?
 

You got a rod & reel for Alaska kayak fishing? I thought you were going to go with a handline & harpoon?
 

the harpoon will be used instead of a fish-be-cool stick (for the big halibut) This will be completely new to me and will be looking to Howard for some harpoon throwing lessons Perhaps I can use my pole spear - replace the tip with a flopper and attach some line and a big float at the end