Need Fishing Gear Advice

[Kerry1]

Originally Posted by Serapium

Not sure that this is the right place to put this, but since it's about provisioning for our journey and fishing gets us food....

I'm in the process of putting together a bunch a saltwater fishing gear. I've ordered an assortment of poles and reels (mostly used stuff of high quality since I'm stingy). Several Penn reels, a large lot of lures, several poles of varying lengths, etc.

I'm stuck on line. What kind of line should I stock up on? We've never done saltwater fishing before so we're going to be new to it.

Would like to be able to set a pole while underway and catch things like Mahi, Tuna, etc.

Certainly no expert, but I have a favourite lure for trolling behind the boat, it's a particular type of "Rapala" lure. (No I dont't own shares in the co.) At 4.5 to 5.5knots we get such a variety with this lure. Have caught snapper (bream), yellowtail kingfish, bonito, kahawhai ( sea trout?), sharks too unfortunately, around the coast of Northland, NZ. The fish pictured are Yellowtail Kingfish and you can see the Rapala lure has foul-hooked the fish on the side. We caught both of these fish as the other one followed the first one up. When we threw the lure back in, its mate hooked up. We released both of these fish as, though they are good sized, they are just under the minimum legal length of 75cm. The lure has distinct fine black stripes on it and comes in two sizes. When dragged along sand banks at around 6m depth it will likely as not come up with bream. (Snapper) in cooler months.

[jreiter190]

You don't want to catch fish that are too big, so just use 30# test on a yo-yo with a shock cord to take the strike, then haul the sucker in hand over hand. Save the rod and reel for stationary fishing. You get a monster on, you have to heave to to fight it and then you have to clean a 30# fish on the aft deck.

[Serapium]

Wow- thanks for all the input folks! I'm definitely diggin this forum for all the incredible advice we've gotten on such a huge range of topics. While I did indeed go on a 'spending spree' it's not like I've broken the bank or anything. Here's what I've amassed so far:

One huge lot of lures
4 Penn / Similar reels
Four saltwater poles from 6' - 9'
20 sets of 50 hooks in various sizes (these are also for trade with locals)
Various other small tackle

Total outlay so far is about $225.

I'm definitely leaning towards the hand fishing while underway. Seems logical to me, and will get a couple rigs. In terms of lures, I do have a big bunch that I got cheap as a lot. Don't really know what I'm looking at though... Maybe some advice on which of these will work and which I should stash for trade goods?

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/xolt8t81g...hlpldr6cQImTTa
https://www.dropbox.com/sc/ycn1i4t1t...ZlFqI6SOqhHvLa

[Serapium]

I've also ordered both the books recommended. Thanks!

[Serapium]

Huh. I didn't realize that fishing line came in so many colors. Is color important? If so, which do i want?

[keithrg]

Check out eBay for alvey reels, Mount straight to the rail or on the transom.
No need for rods and they carry huge amounts of line or braid.
Swivel sideways for free running line out, turn it back straight and set your clutch. Easy
When you catch something just winch it in
You are fishing for food after all

[Terra Nova]

Clear mono.

[AlmostParadise]

I really don't believe color matters all that much. When I run braid I use yellow normally since I can see it easier, but I normally go with whatever color is the cheapest. I also use steel leaders, but where I am fishing we pay our taxes to the sharks quite often and I got tired of them cutting my mono leader and loosing the fish and the lure. Now I just loose the fish or at least half of it.

[Serapium]

In terms of hand line fishing, I'm seeing a wide variety of rigs from the 'yo-yo' style to things like a piece of PVC pipe. In addition, there appear to be some using mono, some using braid, and others with what appears to be 550 paracord with a mono or steel leader on the other end. From a durability standpoint, does paracord hold up well?

[Terra Nova]

Avoid braid; it is very dangerous for hand lining.

[Serapium]

OK, thanks again! Yet another (probably silly) question. Assuming that we're trolling behind our boat under sail at 6-10 knots or so, what size weight will I need to keep the lure / bait from just skimming the top? Or, do I want it to just skim the top? I'm sure the books I've ordered will help answer some of these questions but as we're setting out at the end of November and we have a gazillion things to do between now and then I don't see myself having time to read them until we're underway. Since I have to order the gear now.....

[AlmostParadise]

All of my handlines are 550 paracord. I love it. Easy to grip and haul in and don't have to worry about getting cut too much. I do wear gloves when hauling it in still. Mono slips too easily and braid would potentially slice your finger off even through gloves. the paracord last really well too. I have been using mine every weekend for almost a year now. I do inspect in every time I let it out to make sure it does not have any abrasions that would weaken and give it a good fresh water rinse every time I use it. The other great thing is that paracord is cheap. I get 1000' of it for $45 and can make 8-10 handlines out of that depending on how long I want to run them.


One of the guys out here uses what looks like 1/2" rope and love it. He claims it is really easy to haul in and as long as you use a longer leader the fish don't care.

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by Serapium

...what size weight will I need to keep the lure / bait from just skimming the top?...

Generally you won't need any weight, just use the right lure with a swivel.

[AlmostParadise]

I used squid type lures and want them to skim the surface and even just out every now and then. The movement imitates an injured bait fish that is being chased.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

Avoid braid; it is very dangerous for hand lining.

+1. Not a good idea for hand lines.