tips on how to fight fish?

This past weekend, I was fishing at HMB in my kayak.  The conditions were decent in the morning, so I went out to the green buoy and slowly went somewhere between the green and red buoy.  I was using a bounce ball rig to fish for rockfish or lingcod (towards the bottom).  On Sunday, something got hooked at about 50 feet of water.  I was fighting with it for about 30 minutes until the leader snapped.  The leader material I used was 30 lb. monofilament. 

When it first hit and got hooked it didn't seem big/strong.  However, about a minute or so later it had my rod fully bent and had enough force to just slightly pull my kayak a bit.  While fight it, there were times where it felt like pulling dead weight, almost like I was snagged.  However, there were spurts where it would pull drag.

From the type of rig I was using, location I was fishing and how it fought does anyone have some ideas of what it was?  Similar thing happened twice on Saturday, but on Saturday my leader didn't break it just got unhooked.

The other thing I'm looking for are suggestions on how to fight fish like this?  Is is a good idea though to keep my kayak stationary or move forward?  Also is it a good idea to slowly tighten the drag as I get it closer to the surface?

My strategy was to keep fighting the fish until it got tired, then pull it up.  Honestly after 30 minutes, I was exhausted and this morning my arms and forearms are hurting.

Thanks,

Brian

This past weekend, I was fishing at HMB in my kayak.  The conditions were decent in the morning, so I went out to the green buoy and slowly went somewhere between the green and red buoy.  I was using a bounce ball rig to fish for rockfish or lingcod (towards the bottom).  On Sunday, something got hooked at about 50 feet of water.  I was fighting with it for about 30 minutes until the leader snapped.  The leader material I used was 30 lb. monofilament. 

When it first hit and got hooked it didn't seem big/strong.  However, about a minute or so later it had my rod fully bent and had enough force to just slightly pull my kayak a bit.  While fight it, there were times where it felt like pulling dead weight, almost like I was snagged.  However, there were spurts where it would pull drag.

From the type of rig I was using, location I was fishing and how it fought does anyone have some ideas of what it was?  Similar thing happened twice on Saturday, but on Saturday my leader didn't break it just got unhooked.

The other thing I'm looking for are suggestions on how to fight fish like this?  Is is a good idea though to keep my kayak stationary or move forward?  Also is it a good idea to slowly tighten the drag as I get it closer to the surface?

My strategy was to keep fighting the fish until it got tired, then pull it up.  Honestly after 30 minutes, I was exhausted and this morning my arms and forearms are hurting.

Thanks,

Brian

There is no real method for fighting the pacific rock.  You just gotta hold on and go for the ride, in the same spot.   

Joking aside, I honestly think you were hooked onto the bottom or maybe even thick kelp/reef thats between the green and red.  The line it was taking was the swell. 

unless you're getting the tell tale flutter of a fish on the tip of the rod, sometimes if the drift is kinda strong and the swell is going, a snag will 'pull drag' and bendo the rod,

Yea, you were snagged.
Keep in mind your kayak does not stay in one place on the ocean; wind, current, swells all come into play.
If you are snagged on the bottom your rod will pump as you are drifting and bobbing with the swell. You may gain a little ground with a lull, but then lose it again as things pick up.
If you snag onto kelp on the bottom the kelp too is moving giving the feeling of a fish.
If you hook into something big, even if at first it feels like it might be a snag, you will know for sure in the first 30-60 seconds whether or not it's a fish.

You caught California, there is no winning that  But for the sake of fighting fish, rockcod ling are not really difficult to handle. You will learn more about them as you catch them, can even tell the difference when you start fighting them.

Darius has a secret..neon green crocs..fish love em..especially the landlord 

haven't seen any green crocs in months   it's blue sandals now

This is just me and I like to target big lings.  I use 50 lb mono leader with 30 lb breakway leader for my weight.  I've been "rocked" numerous times when a big Ling pulled my rig into their cave.  I use 50lb mono to pull them out and / or stop them.

I caught the 33 inch below 2 weeks ago with a live Sand Dab.  It hit so hard I thought I got snagged. When I regained some line back I realized its a nice sized fish.
It made 3 hard runs before I netted it.  It also bent my treble hook half open.

I have don't a problem breaking 50 lb line on my Hobie. I tighten the drag and pedal away.

This past weekend, I was fishing at HMB in my kayak.  The conditions were decent in the morning, so I went out to the green buoy and slowly went somewhere between the green and red buoy.  I was using a bounce ball rig to fish for rockfish or lingcod (towards the bottom).  On Sunday, something got hooked at about 50 feet of water.  I was fighting with it for about 30 minutes until the leader snapped.  The leader material I used was 30 lb. monofilament. 

When it first hit and got hooked it didn't seem big/strong.  However, about a minute or so later it had my rod fully bent and had enough force to just slightly pull my kayak a bit.  While fight it, there were times where it felt like pulling dead weight, almost like I was snagged.  However, there were spurts where it would pull drag.

From the type of rig I was using, location I was fishing and how it fought does anyone have some ideas of what it was?  Similar thing happened twice on Saturday, but on Saturday my leader didn't break it just got unhooked.

The other thing I'm looking for are suggestions on how to fight fish like this?  Is is a good idea though to keep my kayak stationary or move forward?  Also is it a good idea to slowly tighten the drag as I get it closer to the surface?

My strategy was to keep fighting the fish until it got tired, then pull it up.  Honestly after 30 minutes, I was exhausted and this morning my arms and forearms are hurting.

Thanks,

Brian

There is no real method for fighting the pacific rock.  You just gotta hold on and go for the ride, in the same spot.   

Joking aside, I honestly think you were hooked onto the bottom or maybe even thick kelp/reef thats between the green and red.  The line it was taking was the swell.

Yup, I've fought the biggest ling in the ocean before and lost my gear as it seemed to strip line as it attempts to flip my kayak...I've settled that I snagged kelp or some monster anemone.  Makes me feel better that I don't have to tell the big one that got away story too often...

Thanks everyone.  Now I feel really silly  but I guess this is part of learning!

Hi Brian

Assume it was a fish 40+ inch Ling: Keep your rod point to the front of your kayak to prevent flipping the kayak.  I would not recommend changing the drag while you are fighting the fish unless you have a lever drag reel.  You should always set your drag before start fishing and trust it.  If you have two-speed reel change to the lower speed and working slowly and keep pressure.

Assume you hooked the bottom.  My wife used to do that frequently and claimed it was a huge fish until she gained several years of kayak fishing experience. 
 1. Move your kayak to the opposite direction of the drift and try to release it.
 2.  Circle around the hooked point once and release it.
 3.  Circle in opposite direction and release it.
  4.  Hole your reel with your thub and apply pressure and point your rod tip to hooked point and pedal away and hopefully it will release or you will get a broken line.

Paul

Consider hiring a guide.

Consider hiring a guide.

+1000 Eric will definitely show you the rope and more.

I guide in Humboldt only.  Not trying to promote myself.

When you say you fought a fish for 30 minutes and now it appears it may have been a snag, I just thought it was good advice to recommend finding a guide - Allen in Santa Cruz is a good choice.

This past weekend, I was fishing at HMB in my kayak.  The conditions were decent in the morning, so I went out to the green buoy and slowly went somewhere between the green and red buoy.  I was using a bounce ball rig to fish for rockfish or lingcod (towards the bottom).  On Sunday, something got hooked at about 50 feet of water.  I was fighting with it for about 30 minutes until the leader snapped.  The leader material I used was 30 lb. monofilament. 

When it first hit and got hooked it didn't seem big/strong.  However, about a minute or so later it had my rod fully bent and had enough force to just slightly pull my kayak a bit.  While fight it, there were times where it felt like pulling dead weight, almost like I was snagged.  However, there were spurts where it would pull drag.

From the type of rig I was using, location I was fishing and how it fought does anyone have some ideas of what it was?  Similar thing happened twice on Saturday, but on Saturday my leader didn't break it just got unhooked.

The other thing I'm looking for are suggestions on how to fight fish like this?  Is is a good idea though to keep my kayak stationary or move forward?  Also is it a good idea to slowly tighten the drag as I get it closer to the surface?

My strategy was to keep fighting the fish until it got tired, then pull it up.  Honestly after 30 minutes, I was exhausted and this morning my arms and forearms are hurting.

Thanks,

Brian

When I use to fish the party boats at Bodega Bay a crew member would say; "You caught a granite grouper".

"rockfish"