Rockfish Misadventurres

Yesterday I made my last paddle of the season for rockfish.  I went to Stillwater Cove in  Sonoma County.  I used outriggers that I made for my Malibu Stealth 9 (see pic).  They came in handy because there were cross swells that would have made setting up new rigs very difficult without them.  I was concerned that the outriggers might make turning very difficult but that wasn’t the case.  However it is a hassle navigating through kelp with outriggers.  The floats (air bladders) on the kelp can cause the stipes and blades to rise higher than the outriggers and catch on them, which brings the kayak to a sudden halt. If I ever make similar outriggers again I will carve out the floats so that they meet; the space between them (see pic) catches the kelp blades.  When I got to where I wanted to fish I tried squid with a 4 oz. ball and caught a small black rf that I released (see pic).  I got no more bites on the squid so I switched to a 2 oz. P-line Laser Minnow on which I caught a keeper black rf (see pic).  However I soon caught the treble hook on the kelp and learned a lesson about yanking very hard on 65 lb test braid.  The lure popped loose and slammed into the back of my left hand (it could have been my face) and one of the treble hooks nicked an artery.  Compression didn’t stop the bleeding so I thought I might have to call it a day especially because blood in the water (through the scupper holes) might attract the landlord.  However I remembered that I had a disposable plastic glove to use to hold the fish.  I put it on and it was fairly tight so it stopped the bleeding.  From now on for a hard snag I will pull with my hands (using gloves), not the rod, to reduce backlash.  I usually only have one hook on a lure to reduce the potential for accidents but I had just bought the Laser Minnow and didn’t take the time to get rid of the treble hook.  I got no more bites on it or on the other rigs that I tried but it was still a nice day, mostly sunny with little wind (see pic).  I look forward to next season on the salt.

jesus dude, thats a rough day.  Have you thought of using lighter braid with a heavy leader?  That way you still have abrasion resistance but only have to snap lighter line (like 30# braid)...

Whats with the foam?  Result of all the wash?

The flying rebounding lure is why i always wear ballistically sound eyewear.

oah yeah, its not wise to try to break braid with your hand, your hand will cut first.  Gloves are not always enough.  I use my fish knocker to wrap the line around and pull with.  and keep[ the pull point at your hip on the plastic of the boat so it doesn't get you off balance.

jesus dude, thats a rough day.  Have you thought of using lighter braid with a heavy leader?  That way you still have abrasion resistance but only have to snap lighter line (like 30# braid)...

I don't want to use lighter braid because I don't like losing rigs.

if you dont like loosing rigs I have 3 suggestions.
Dont fish in the kelp
dont fish for rockfish
change out the factory hooks for lightweight brass mustad trebble hooks

5$ or fingers or a spill.
just my 2c after a few years loosing rigs but not getting hurt

Whats with the foam?  Result of all the wash?

The flying rebounding lure is why i always wear ballistically sound eyewear.

The foam was there the whole time I was there; it was inshore from the kelp and in the closest kelp but not in the kelp farther out.

I wear glasses with plastic lenses so I'm not too worried about eye injuries.

oah yeah, its not wise to try to break braid with your hand, your hand will cut first.  Gloves are not always enough.  I use my fish knocker to wrap the line around and pull with.  and keep[ the pull point at your hip on the plastic of the boat so it doesn't get you off balance.

The fish knocker or something similar sounds like a good idea.  I might use my fish gripper.

if you dont like loosing rigs I have 3 suggestions.
Dont fish in the kelp
dont fish for rockfish
change out the factory hooks for lightweight brass mustad trebble hooks

5$ or fingers or a spill.
just my 2c after a few years loosing rigs but not getting hurt

I like your suggestion of using lightweight hooks the best.

I'm with Rockfish on this one.  Better to lose a rig or two than a rod+reel or a broken rod.

oh, and... 



 

When it's a choice between losing braid and tipping over trying to  yank braid or mono on a snag I always pull out the knife from the vest and cut the line.   

Thx for the report, YaknFish.  I hope your hand is OK.  Sounds like you have the Madness, so we know where you'll be once it's better.   

Use 30# leader on the end of 65# braid. You then can break the hook or jig off without cutting line or risk capsizing the yak. Do the "wrap around" the gaff handle or some other object with the braid then counter brace a bit and pull up.

I recommend a bigger boat. Also, a lot of people use 30lb braid and a mono or fc leader or top shot. Be safe out there.

When it's a choice between losing braid and tipping over trying to  yank braid or mono on a snag I always pull out the knife from the vest and cut the line.   

With my outriggers I wasn't concerned about tipping the kayak.  On a later snag that I couldn't pull free even by hand I did cut the line.