Yellowtail reel

[huntandski]

I'm going to be doing a fair amount of YT fishing on my boat this summer.

My spinning reel that I used for them broke in transit a few weeks ago, and i was wondering if my shimano Cardiff 400a will cut it. It's max drag is 11 pounds. Will throwing 20-25# line on there be sufficient or should I look to use my bass pro gift cards on a different reel?

With the ideal reel, what would be the max drag?

Thanks.

[LONGRANGER777]

That will work unless the 'tails are whoppers. 20 lb test is more than enough. I use 12 lb alot because they can be line shy.

[G-Man WC]

11 pounds of drag is a lot and should do the trick if your off the bottom for sure. It's all about drag setting and getting that fish looking at the boat and not running away
Here's a good read.

http://www.sportfishingmag.com/species/fish-species/tricks-take-yellowtail

I'm a conventional reel guys and rebuild my reels to do more than
they were meant to do. But you can't fish them beyond that certain breaking point and you've GOT to set star drag pull to know for sure when fishing for larger fish. That's why you set-up the drags on your reels when long ranging to match your rod and line weight. Lever drags is a different story.
I like the medium sized Penn reels with high gear ratio.
505HS / 501 / 506 narrows for casting. 4/0 sized reels are to big and heavy
for my taste in all day casting.
But that's just me because I work on mine and know I can always get replacement parts on FleaBay and there always going to be around
Pimped out with a Tiburon one piece frames, a stainless main gear, greased carbon fiber drags, and a larger handle I can go from 5# to 7-9#'s of drag in a small package.
I know I'm not going to out reel a Hoo or YT for sure.






Have fun and be safe out there. tight lines.
-g

[252yft]

Hunt Ski

How do you plan on using that reel. Throwing iron or bait? Open water or costal around structure? Since your in San Diego, head over to a local tackle shop and buy a used reel. Have it upgraded if you want like G-Man. Bass Pro isn't the place to buy blue water tackle.

Or PM your telephone # and I'll help you out.

[deckhandmike]

It's more the rod than reel for YT. I can run heavy line on a small reel and just spit on your thumb and add pressure to the spool for more drag. Are you paddy fishing or over shallow rocky bottom? Two different scenarios.

[RandyD]

It's more the rod than reel for YT. I can run heavy line on a small reel and just spit on your thumb and add pressure to the spool for more drag. Are you paddy fishing or over shallow rocky bottom? Two different scenarios.

What kind of rod do you recommend? I am getting prepped to fish for YT from my kayak, in the La Jolla area. I intend to use both irons and live bait.

[stonefly-2]

11 pounds of drag is a lot and should do the trick if your off the bottom for sure. It's all about drag setting and getting that fish looking at the boat and not running away
Here's a good read.

http://www.sportfishingmag.com/species/fish-species/tricks-take-yellowtail

I'm a conventional reel guys and rebuild my reels to do more than
they were meant to do. But you can't fish them beyond that certain breaking point and you've GOT to set star drag pull to know for sure when fishing for larger fish. That's why you set-up the drags on your reels when long ranging to match your rod and line weight. Lever drags is a different story.
I like the medium sized Penn reels with high gear ratio.
505HS / 501 / 506 narrows for casting. 4/0 sized reels are to big and heavy
for my taste in all day casting.
But that's just me because I work on mine and know I can always get replacement parts on FleaBay and there always going to be around
Pimped out with a Tiburon one piece frames, a stainless main gear, greased carbon fiber drags, and a larger handle I can go from 5# to 7-9#'s of drag in a small package.
I know I'm not going to out reel a Hoo or YT for sure.






Have fun and be safe out there. tight lines.
-g

see, that's how i roll right there. stainless sleeve & gear set, power handle, carbon drags (greased no doubt), narrow frame to #506.
did you mag it too? fine threads on the new star drag?
in a kyak a guy would want to go with a #500 to a #501 instead of a #505 for having sleeves instead of bearings and it always getting wet.
guys, alan tani has online tutorials for doing these up grades. all you need is a old roached out yardsale jigmaster and parts from online.
side plate pops off for changing to a spare spool, easily maintained bullet proof reel.
i run mine with braid on old glass rods.

[1911Luvr]

The first thing you should do is visit a fishing forum like Allcoast and see what other kayak guys are doing. Personally I'd go with a short stout rod for fishing the kelp vertically, which is the advantage to kayaking in the first place. I'd be using 60ld braid with a 20lb top shot on a Shimano Trinidad TN16 for this.

[MJB]

^^^^^^^ Hit BD lots of good used reals & rods

The LJ kelps can hold some big yellows if you don't have enough rod/reel you won't get them in

[castgold]

There are a number of good options for full-metal framed reels that could work.
Entry Level: Daiwa Saltist, Daiwa BG, Penn Squall, Avet, Okuma Cedros, Okuma Metalloid, Shimano Torium.
Not So Entry Level: Shimano Trinidad A, Penn Torque, Okuma Andros, Okuma Makaira, Avet Raptors, anything Accurate

As Mike said, the rod is a very important element, although I like to have a reel with reliable drags and anti-reverse.
If you are fishing near structure, something that has a faster taper that shuts off early would be nice to keep the fish out of that structure, and for dropping a yoyo iron, I prefer a shorter rod because it's easier on my back and the retrieve rate of the reel is what I rely on for the yoyo speed.

Jigs:
Salas 7x/6x/6x Jr in scrambled egg, bird poop, blue and white, brown and green, stay away from chrome finishes for yt

Shimano Flat Fall 30gr/130gr in chartreuse glow, blue sardine

[MJB]

Trinidad in 20 would be the all around reel with two rods your set for almost all fishing off the coast for life.....buy the best it makes that much of a difference.

BUT ONCE CRY ONCE

[alks207]

Since You're in San Diego I will help you out. I saw a Shimano torum 30 (will work just fine for yellowtail/tuna) today on clearance for $140. PM me for more details

[deckhandmike]

I don't know much about kayak rods, sorry. Now boat rods we can talk. I'd hit the kayak forums. I know the kayak guys like very specific equipment.