Islander 3-day Gear List

On our 3-day Islander adventure we'll target powerful SoCal pelagic fish. You haven't really experienced a sleigh ride until you hook into one of these burners. The line will evaporate from the reel in long, sizzling runs. It is incredible.

You don't need everything in this list, but all of it could be helpful depending on what we find. Also, most of this stuff is readily available near the landing in San Diego.

Safety
If you don't have a marine handheld VHF radio, please buy, beg or borrow one. Also bring a PFD, hand pump, bow line (!), and a set of handheld flares for signalling.

Kayak gear that's really nice to have
Powered live well or bait tube or bucket, fish finder

Kayak wear
Splash top and pants or wetsuit

Rods / Reels
One 20-30 lb live bait trolling setup, preferably a lever drag but a star drag reel with a strong clicker also works. Suggestions include the Shimano TLD 15, Shimano TLD 20 Star, Daiwa SeaLine XV-SHA, Penn 500L Jigmaster, Okuma Catalina or similar. Match with 6.5 to 7 ft rod.

One 6-1 ratio reel spooled with 30 lb for tossing surface iron or yo-yo jigs. Match with a 7 to 7.5 ft rod.

One lighter stick for bass, baracuda, and bonito. 10 to 15 lb levelwind.

The stuff comes at a dear price, but you might want to back your big game reels with 65-lb spectra. If you do, bring some Flex Wrap to protect your fingers.

Terminal Tackle
Live bait hooks from size 2 or smaller to 3/0. Light wire hooks as large as 6/0. Many prefer circle hooks in 1/0 and 2/0 when fishing larger live baits. If you can find them, the new VMC Dynamics are the best of both.

Egg sinkers and torpedo sinkers from 1/4 oz to 4 oz from presenting your offering in deeper water. I'd also bring lead up to 1 lb just in case we need to fish really deep.

Flourocarbon leader in 20 and 30 lb.

Sabiki rigs from pretty small to medium. There's a lot of variation between brands. 

Surface jigs such as the Salas 6x / 6x Jr and Tady 45 or similar in classic colors such as blue / white and scrambled egg. Heavy yo-yo versions of the same jigs.

Megabait jigs in 2.5 and 3.5 ozs in blue / silver, green / silver and black / chrome. Also consider Krocodile spoons in 1 to 2 oz sizes in blue and green mackerel.

For calicos, 5 and 6 in swimbaits with shad heads from 1/2 oz to 1.5 oz. Think greens, reds / oranges, and blues and bring some light, some dark. 

For trolling, saltwater plugs such as the Rapala CD 14 or 18 or new X-Rap Magnums or similar Yozuri HydroMag. Green and blue mackerel and the like.

I'm not much of a halibut guy myself. You can fish them on a dropper loop or sliding sinker rig, in gear or out, with live bait hooks, trebles, or trap rigs. Pack accordingly.

I'm sure I've left something out. Please consider this list a work in progress.

Here's some reading for targeting SoCal fish:

Chasing Tail: http://outdoorscribe.com/WONtail.htm

Kayak Calicos, Chasing Kelp Creatures and Boiler Beasts: http://outdoorscribe.com/WONcalicos.htm

Catching Ghosts (white seabass): http://thelog.com/news/newsview.asp?c=184871

Jigging for Homeguard Yellows: http://www.thelog.com/news/newsview.asp?c=176701

Paul -

I was thinking of bringing a 40-50# rig for trolling plugs, dropper loop and yo-yo jigs. You think going with 30# is heavy enough?

Thanks! Scott

I was thinking of bringing a 40-50# rig for trolling plugs, dropper loop and yo-yo jigs. You think going with 30# is heavy enough?

For most people, 30 lbs is enough when fishing off the kayak. Our sleds shine with light line. Anyway, you can only pull so hard, even when straight up and down. You folks are experienced bottom scratchers - if you feel comfortable fishing heavy lines from the 'yak and have experience fighting yellows and tuna, knock yourselves out. Also, anyone who has a 40 or 50 or even 60 lb rig should definitely bring it for fishing off the boat in case we get into a foaming (wide open) bite.

If you want the heavy string for dealing with kelp, and know how hard you can safely pull from the 'yak, consider fishing a kelp cutter rig. Spool up with spectra and use just a short mono or flourocarbon leader.

Again, anyone who has experience with tuna or yellowtail and is a salty dawg kayak fisher should use anything within their normal comfort zone.

Thanks Paul.  It looks like I need to start over accumulating gear but much of my rockfish and salmon stuff will cross over.  I really appreciate the tips.  While I have gotten good at rockfish and lingcod over the last few years this will be different and bigger and I want to be ready. I think the anticipation and getting ready is much of the fun.  You never know how he fishing will be. 

You never know how he fishing will be.

Ah - but I know we will have fun, fun, fun! Can't go wrong with this group.

For anyone who hasn't experienced the joy of a big pelagic hookup, remember, the drag is your friend. With yellowtail or tuna, expect to weather at least one zipping run, possibly more.

Also, as our trip nears I'll pass along the latest intel on hot baits and conditions.

Can, I say "Braid" "Spectra" with a top shot of mono or Fluorocarbon.  And, on Yo Yo you maybe want a Yellow and Green iron.  If you get into patty's you may want light irons because those fish will be on top.

Ken kickfish

Very Nice Pal,

  Thanks,  I'm with Sack Yak,  Getting ready for this is going to be very entertaining in itself....

  I should really get some stock in fishing tackle companies ....... Danglin

Thanks Paul.  It looks like I need to start over accumulating gear but much of my rockfish and salmon stuff will cross over.  I really appreciate the tips.  While I have gotten good at rockfish and lingcod over the last few years this will be different and bigger and I want to be ready. I think the anticipation and getting ready is much of the fun.  You never know how he fishing will be. 

Hey Etienne

I have reserved a very nice 25-30# rig for you if you want to use it. My 2 cents on the gear issue is to borrow or rent for the first trip to decide on what fits your needs the best. Calstars vs Seekers, Daiwas vs Shimanos vs Penns vs Avets are personal decisions which only you can make based on your style of fishing. If you want to purchase a rig, choose one that is in the 25-30# range which you can also use for your usual rockfish/ling cod fishing as well as pelagics. One of my regrets is owning tons of expensive great long range gear which is too heavy for local yak fishing. Its a shame to have $4-500 worth of gear which you can only use once a year at best. When you get back from Hawaii, lets hookup and you can use my Calstar GFX 700ML and Avet SX 6/4 rig. A very sweet combo which works for your everyday local fishing and can also handle pelagics.

Scott

Thats great.  I will definitely take you up on that offer.  I figure my Tekota will also be useful.  It has the smoothest drag and operation of any of my gear.

Yeah, I have a Penn 112 that's a good 30lb rig.  I took it out last night and popped it open to see if it needed anything and found that it'd been untouched since an Alan Tani clinic last summer.  Guess it's good to go!  Glad I didn't lose the dogspring...  Those heavy rigs can be nice jigging iron because you can balance it on your leg with the reel as a counterweight to the jig to cut down on the popeye arms.

Scott (Great Bass 2),

Don't feel bad.....I spent at least 20 K on gear I may only used a few times in my lifetime.  Had 21 outfits on my 17 dayers.  Mexico gov.  has this thing about only letting guys bring 10 outfits total.  I am just glad that the Shogun had the rod holders for all of them.

But, been to the Big C (Clarion) and Hurricane Bank (Shimada seamount) before they closed the Islands.  Actually, Hurricane Bank is still open.  Revillagigedo is closed.

Ken kickfish

What is the good stuff with regard to seasick medicine?  I want to have some ready b/c me inside boats does not always well and I need to feel good enough to fish.

Thanks

DX........."Sopace"

Find out more @ www.scopace.com

  need perscription

Scopace is called "Motion Sickness Patches", also.  need a prescription.  Down side this that they make you sleepy, dry mouth and sometimes distorted vision.

Dramamine works also.  It makes you sleepy, also.  I think Bonnie works better and does not make you as sleepy.  The trick with the pills are to take them a head of time.  Start with half a full dose a day or two before your trip.  And, keep on taking them so your body gets use to it.

It may be 1 or 2 tablets every 8 or 12 hrs.

Wristband called "Sea Band" is a acupuncture type thing.  It presses points on your wrist...works for some people.

Scopace is probably the best because if you get sick you can still add the patch.  Hard to keep down the pills if you are already sick.  Don't over do the patch.  Too much will make you "Crazy".  Heard of guys using 3 to 4 patches at once and running around on boats will knifes.

If you do get sick...dry crackers, ginger ale or crystallized ginger may help.

Ken kickfish

I am assuming the terminal tackle we will need for the trip is pretty standard stuff down there. I would hate to get there expecting to buy the terminal tackle and find it to be in short supply.
I went to Sportsman's Warehouse in Rocklin and was pretty clueless with all the different tuna rigs and no one to ask any questions.
I did come home with a new rod, new PFD, 50lb power pro, and a sabiki.
Can anyone recommend a place in San Diego where I can buy the rest of what I need?
Somewhere with knowledge and decent prices would be a great help too.
I have been strictly a NorCal salt guy so this open water SoCal stuff has turned me into a complete newbie.