pac hali kayak rod suggestions

 OK, so with GM7 on the horizon..............

I was looking over my spartan rod collection. Did a few searches online, but didn't find much other than the standard "git heavy geer" recommendations. Currently my go-to heavy bottom fish rod is an avet/calstar 700M-something with 40lb braid used mostly for jigging big swimbaits of 4-6oz. I've taken 20+ pound cali halis on this setup, and lings over 16#.

Figured I'd post up & see what others have used or would suggest for a pac hali setup, think fish of up to 50-60lbs . Ideally I would pair it with a 2 speed running something around 60-80lb braid.
Too much, too little? Have at guys, and thanks for the info .

I like the KISS method - Keep It Simple...   

Ugly Stik medium with a Penn or other open faced reel spooled with 20 to 30 pound mono - that'll handle a big fish and get your salmon, lings, rockies, cabs...etc.

Landing the big halibut is probably more challenging than hooking and fighting it.  BIG net is good to have for a variety of possible catches, and a flying gaff or weatherman's gaff is something to consider.

There have been 100 pound halibut caught off Shelter Cove...   

I like the KISS method - Keep It Simple...   

Ugly Stik medium with a Penn or other open faced reel spooled with 20 to 30 pound mono - that'll handle a big fish and get your salmon, lings, rockies, cabs...etc.

Landing the big halibut is probably more challenging than hooking and fighting it.  BIG net is good to have for a variety of possible catches, and a flying gaff or weatherman's gaff is something to consider.

There have been 100 pound halibut caught off Shelter Cove...   

OK, cool. I've got such a rig covered (didn't we ALL start off with Ugly Stik Tiger rods? ).
I've got a decent salmon net (memento from AH), and I'll probably build a sticker a la' Tote's little project to have along too, if only for the fun of it. Considered a hawaiian-style Kage, but I think a slip tip is best for our fish.
Was looking at the Ugly Stik/Penn jigmaster combo in the corner of my studio. I just need to fill it with decent mono.

It depends.  How heavy of terminal tackle do you plan on using?  Soaking bait or jigging?

Also, I don't like nets for Pacbutts.  They just go too crazy in the net.  Ask Pisco Sicko about his experience netting a Pacbutt.  The poor net didn't even stand a chance.

-Allen

An old beat up Shimano rod and a piece of crap Shakespear  spinning reel w slipping drag with 8 yr old 20 lb test mono. hahaha.

It depends.  How heavy of terminal tackle do you plan on using?  Soaking bait or jigging?

Also, I don't like nets for Pacbutts.  They just go too crazy in the net.  Ask Pisco Sicko about his experience netting a Pacbutt.  The poor net didn't even stand a chance.

-Allen

Considering Shelter, I'm thinking the standard bottom fishing method would be drifting with big lures or whole baits like squid or sardines/herring? I would prefer using swimbaits over bait-baits.

Agreed on the net for halibut. so far it seems like all I need is a spool of fresh line and a Nor-Cal Kage. 

An old beat up Shimano rod and a piece of crap Shakespear  spinning reel w slipping drag with 8 yr old 20 lb test mono. hahaha.

  I wondered about that

Its the mojo that counts darn it! And I'm workin on it

You don't really target pacbutts at the Cove...more like a lucky bycatch. So I'm not sure it's worth dedicating an entire setup to them. I'd suggest using the same setups you already have--and just respool w/heavier line. (unless you got some $ burning a hole in your speedos haha)

I want to get a flying gaff w/the locking clip. Or just a hand gaff w/the clip. Any suggestions? (going to search for an answer too, will search NWKA too)

You don't really target pacbutts at the Cove...more like a lucky bycatch. So I'm not sure it's worth dedicating an entire setup to them. I'd suggest using the same setups you already have--and just respool w/heavier line. (unless you got some $ burning a hole in your speedos haha)

I want to get a flying gaff w/the locking clip. Or just a hand gaff w/the clip. Any suggestions? (going to search for an answer too, will search NWKA too)

Yeah, but it is winter and gearheads need an outlet too! I'm mostly having fun speculating.
After pricing the 2speed avet I was coveting, I'll be using what I have already, it will be enough IF I am lucky enough to hook a flattie.

As for the gaff/spear:
After watching a number of the Aquahunter vids I am going with something between the kage and the harpoon from Tote's thread. It will be a fun winter projec, and decorated like all my stuff. If I can get it together I'll make up an extra as a prize.

I like the spearing method over the gaffing method, but I think mostly it is just a different technique that appeals to me (I gaff plenty of fish, but have not yet harpooned one!)
Seems like a standard yak gaff clipped to 10-15' of line and a big crab float would do in a pinch. The addition of the gate to the gaff point would be cool, but I have doubts about it actually working as designed when the time comes.

Any links to this Kage thing?

Where do you plan to stick the ph with a harpoon?

http://bushcraftusa.com/forum/showthread.php/34100-Kage-%28kah-geh-%29

There are more on the Aquahunter site. It's a basic harpoon, but without a slip tip. They are all the rage ( ) in HI, mostly for ahi, shiba, and ono, from what I've read.

for Pac halis, the belly has been touted as the best target from a kayak, but if I had the chance I'd nail them wherever I could, and run a line from the tip to a float. I'm thinking storing the line in a little throwbag-style sack. I'm interested to see where the project takes my thinking. I've dealt with our standard sized cali halibut but I've never had one larger than 20# near the yak.

For jigging 8 ounce grubs, I like to use a 7' rod as light as I can get away with.  My go to pacbutt rod is rated 15-25 and it's taken butts up to ~75#.  Coupled with an Avet SX.  Many would likely think this rig too light for pacbutts.  Here's my thought process.  I like the action a lighter rod imparts on the jig when stroked.  Think of it this way, the rod loads up and then the jig sort of springs off the bottom.  Too stiff of a rod and you just don't get the same action.  Note you also must use braid for this technique.  Mono will do nothing but stretch and your jig will not move very far off the bottom.  Jig in full sweaping strokes.  That jig darting off the bottom triggers the strikes.

Your 700M would be fine, if not to the heavy side for this application.

Kage ... I've often wondered how they may work for pacbutts.  Never have tried it, but I think the head structure of butts is much more bony than that of pelagics.  The hawaii guys are trying to brain the fish.  You may have a hard time doing that on a pacbutt.  I've done fairly well just lip gripping any pacbutt that looks under 50#.  Or even just jig grabbing ... the big old hooks in an 8 ounce jighead are likely hooked well and will hold the fish up  just fine.  If it is to be harvested, a quick slit of the gills to bleed her out while hanging on the lip gripper.  You will get a little bit of a bronco ride on the larger models, but it's not unmanageable.

-Allen

I used my 7 foot lamiglass 15-25# line rating with 50# braid on a tyrnos 10 2 speed in low gear the whole time. Caught it on a 6.5 big hammer 2oz head with a high quality hook. But mine was also only 30lb's.  Performed better then i expected tho for being a lighter rod.

The only setup i have for saltwater. (not that i don't want more  ) Is a trevala 7ft ML paired with a Penn Fathom 15LW. Spooled with 50# power pro.  30# of drag. I think i could take a Pac Butt on  . Some people might think it weighs too much around 19oz. But its not big at all.

Seems like a standard yak gaff clipped to 10-15' of line and a big crab float would do in a pinch.

Better if the gaff was barbed.  In the past, I've used large shark hooks, they were like a small gaff.  Have tried the crab float too.  Keep in mind that your standard crab float only has 7 pounds of floatation.  That's not much.  A decent butt can pull that down and hold it down for a bit.

-Allen