Beginner in Salmon

[2nastick]

I know this isn't a report, but I do need some advice. I haven't fished any area above santa barbara as of yet, i'm primarily into socal fishing. I need some suggestions on what I need to bring (tackle, gear, etc) for party boat salmon fishing in Santa Cruz. Also, can someone please explain to me how the hell u suppose to mooch? Thanks

[2nastick]

no one mooch no mo?

[Aquahero3]

Out of SC I would recommend Kenny, runs the Velocity.


I posted a tutorial he on BD about everything you need to know... I will look for it

[Makscoot]

Mooching is the use of a simple banana shaped weight wit about a 24" leader attached to it with a 4/0 hook. Attached to the hook is usually a Sardine with its head cut off on an angle so that it spins slowly in the current. The boat will drift over schools usually between 50-90 feet deep. Let out you line to the depth the captian recomends and have fun. 30lbs test is ample. I never tried it a Flourocarbon leader is better than mono.

[mbhalihunter]

50-90 ft? no way, right nowyou be lucky to catch a fish that shallow, at least in the monterey bay that is, youd be lucky to catch any salmon in the bay right now. all the fish are deep 150 plus and 220+ is not uncommon. its weird, lots of bait in the bay, just all on the bottom.

[Makscoot]

My experience is in Washington, 90' was standard. thanks for the insight though.

[2nastick]

Thanks guys, much appreciated. I guess i'll just take a #30 stick.


-Michael

[Aquahero3]

DON'T TAKE A 30 STICK.


YOu won't catch any fish.

I use an 8'6" Noodle rod. The heaviest rod you should ever use is a 10-20. I use much lighter. YOu want a little levelwind reel with a smooth drag, Fish a very light drag. no more then 15 LB test.

I go mainline with a barrel weight (Egg) a red bead, a big brass snap swivel, then a 6 ft leader of 12 LB fluro. No heavier then 12 and I have gone 6. It gets bit more.

Use either Eagle claws, mustad demons, or owners. Widen the gap. Katch fish

[T'Una Mas]

Pence - Agreed on the 8 1/2 or even 9 ft mooch stick and 12-15 (and/or lighter leader) line when mooching. In the past I've used Abu 6500s and 12 lb PLine and they've been great. The Avet sx is a nice reel too. But some boats don't mooch, and if he's trolling a head boat with that gear, he's toast! Ideally, determine ahead by calling the landing which it is, trolling or mooching. A trolling rig will require a 2 1/2 ball, a much stouter stick, and a heavier reel. I've gotten away with an Accurate squidder, but also troll using jigmasters with tiburon frames, and a Pro Gear 541. If trolling heavy gear on a party boat for the first time, 20-30 pound line is fine to the release, then try a lighter fluoro leader!) . My mooch sticks are WAY too light to troll the heavy stuff!

[Aquahero3]

Agreed.

But if he is on a Party boat out of SC and south he is going to troll guarenteed. The only boat ever to troll out of sc was.... Well... us. lol. and thats just cause we were a HMB boat down there for a month.

If he goes out of HMB north he will troll unless maybe Harry on the Seeker likes to mooch.

[russellt]

Pence and T'Una have given a pretty good summary. I use 8 1/2 ft lamiglas rod (12-25#), Abu 5500 with 15 # line to mooch. I use a 7 ft rod with 20 # line to troll. Early in the season there is more trolling than mooching. Check with the boat ahead of time to see if they will be trolling or mooching.

[Jan from Humbol]

I'll transalate into SoCal lingo...

Bring your 12-15# calico stick (Like the Black steel 196-7 wiith the Newell 220) for your mooching rig.

For the trolling garbage use the lite Yellowtail stick like the Calstar 270-7 with the 229 or 322 on it, favorite up here is the Penn 209 but you could easily use a 500 too.

Make sure your drags are smooth as you can get a couple of good tugs on them, (They fight like WSB, but nowhere like a Yellow will)