newell 22X series left handed... (alan tani?...)

I only caught 6 salmon this season (only 2 keepers) and my dad hooked about 5 fish. All on WMA with between 3-6 oz balls on releases. That is the only setup I used for salmon last season and I am going to have to be convinced to use something else. I don't like bait fishing as much as lures. However if everone is catching and I am not then bait it is!

yeah, I think this whole line of reasoning says that abu garcia ambassadeurs 4, 5, and 6
series with their brass gears and 20-50lb spectra are sufficient for all the kayak fishing one
might do up here.

If one travels or fishes from a boat from time to time, something like the newell would be
great to have. There was a 48lb halibut and a 50lb yellowtail caught in san diego
on kayaks this year. they are using 40lb mono and up for that.
There the ambassadeur is outclassed but could still probably land a 50lb fish with luck.

But I think I'm committed to becoming a kayak fishing expert on the stretch of coast from pacifica
down to moss landing, my home range.  halibut, lingcod, rockfish, hopefully salmon,
hopefully the odd WSB and striper.

The key for me is to fish a lot and worry about gear less. But to get to that point I have to
have confidence that the gear is sufficient. hence this thread.

So for me, a newell would be a luxury treat, it's not required gear.  But I think now that if I do
buy a luxury reel, it'll be a newell.  

So for me, a newell would be a luxury treat, it's not required gear.  But I think now that if I do
buy a luxury reel, it'll be a newell. 
 

brother, IMO: luxury = Culcutta 401 TE .....a very groovey  reel 
 
 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7185059278&category=36146

John,
Sounds like you are on a mission.  I’m not as gutsy or as strong a paddler as blue kayak, so I tend to stick to spots that are a shorter paddle, in generally more protected locations.  Another reason I primarily mooch too.  Next year, we’ll have to hook up for salmon.

IMO, Trolling and mooching are both effective.  Depending on the day, one can be better than the other.  Before the mandate of circle hooks, most guys on the bay were mooching in the summer time rather than trolling.  More sporting, better fight, less fuel consumption, etc were factors.  Arguably, more effective???  In any event, if the fish are deep and you can’t get your line deep enough with a 1lb ball, you’re probably better off mooching.

For trolling, I use either a 1lb on a release, or  2lbs (preferable), but it’s hard for me to troll straight w/o a rudder.  Some guys got them with less lead on the troll this year, but day in, day out, (in Monterey Bay at least), you’ll do better with more lead.  I’ve got a bunch of 1 and 2lb balls, but no 1.5lb.  I’m too cheap to buy them, or else I’d consider them.

I’d suggest having both a trolling and mooching setup when you head out.  Troll to the fishing grounds and either continue to troll or mooch when you get to the general area. 

If you troll, I wouldn’t bother with measuring the drag.  My dad used penn reels for trolling, so its what I’ve inherited and what I use.  They’re pretty cheap and do the job.  For me, the drag is typically set a “little heavier” then the weight you are pulling.  This will insure that when a fish hits, the release is pulled enough to drop the ball.  From there, don’t touch the drag.  IMO, 6-8lbs sounds way too heavy.  I’ve never measured, but I’m guessing a 2lb with the drag is maybe 3-4lbs TOPS of drag.  That’s a lot of pressure on a fish.  Plus, when you get them yakside, you want them to be tired out so you can net them (head first).  The only time you want to crank the drag is when you see a sea lion.  If its breaks off, its still better than losing it to a furbag.

I sometimes use the clicker on the troll, but it’s a pain when you are checking your bait. 
I put my rod in a flush mount behind the seat.  Although I can’t see my tip, you will feel it when a fish is on.  However, you probably won’t see a missed hit that scratches your bait.  If you’re using a lure, it’s no big deal. 
I’d definitely prefer a rod in front, but it’s even harder to paddle straight and I’m paranoid about nicking my line with the paddle blade.

Stuart

OK... I've said it before... but I'll say it again.  They don't come in left handed models and they probably don't cast as well as a Newell or Abu, but the Shimano TR100 is a great reel to consider for jigging, trolling, mooching, live bait drifting, or sturgeon fishing. 

Inexpensive (~$50)
Light weight (12 odd ounces... a tad lighter than the smallest Newell actually).
Durable - been using three of them for years on the kayak and only now do I need to replace a bearing in my oldest reel (6-years).
Levelwind
14# max drag rating (not that you need that much I suppose).
Factory drag is not that great... but with if you upgrade the drag with Penn HT100 wet drag or Carbontex drag washers ala Alan Tani and you'll have a great drag.

Erik

Stuart, thanks for the advice, as always!

erik, I have looked at the TR reels on your previous recommendation, they look great.
my spinning gear is exclusively shimano, so I figured they got enough of my business. 
kind of hard to go too wrong with that company.