Author Topic: Land-based Yellowtail setup and leader system (Read 13861 times)

ulua · « **on:** June 20, 2015, 07:28:34 AM »

I would be interested to know what land-based Yellowtail setups and leader systems are been used by fellow members regularly targetting YT from the bricks.

As everyone knows YT are one son of a fish to land from the bricks, so keen to find out on any new info, tricks or technics.

Thanks
Craig

REEFMAN · « **Reply #1 on:** June 22, 2015, 10:34:40 AM »

Never really specifically targetted Yellowtail from the shore, so take my advice with a pinch of salt... (seeing as though no-one has responded to your question here).
Personally, I wouldn't see why targetting Yellowtail with a spinning setup would be much different from targetting Geets from the shore? The only thing that would be different in my book would be the lure?

Obviously if you're fishing from the bricks, I would use a longer Fluoro leader, connected to the braid with PR Knot or FG Knot, allowing castability.

Poenskop · « **Reply #2 on:** June 22, 2015, 10:41:50 AM »

I have not done it myself. Next year Feb I will be waiting for them at St Francis. I will be watching this thread.

Prego · « **Reply #3 on:** June 22, 2015, 11:12:09 AM »

I think the set up that Cage used to get his Geet from the side would work perfectly as tail are dirty fighters too

Assassin Spinmaster 2XH with a Stella 10 65lb braid 150lb leader with a PR knot

GT ice creams for lures

DavePE · « **Reply #4 on:** June 22, 2015, 11:30:08 AM »

What type of lures would you use to target yellow tail? Large surface plugs I would imagine?

REEFMAN · « **Reply #5 on:** June 22, 2015, 12:12:05 PM »

The best lures for Yellowtail fishing (as used for decades from the Rooikrantz ledges) are Snake Spinner Spoons. Steve Champion and Ashley Read Snake Spinners being the best and most effective.
Next best are the standard Chisel nose plugs.
But most Poppers and blooper type lures would work.

BAUMANNATOR · « **Reply #6 on:** June 22, 2015, 12:29:47 PM »

Really depends were you are targeting them.....if distance is important, heavier braid and spinning outfit with grunt. If closer, personally nothing beats a conventional and .50 mono with leader. I still have the scar on my thumb from getting hit by a bus when using braid on a conventional for them off Poenskop in the Transkei. The fish hit my lure when laying the line to the right of the spool, could not get my thumb out of the way intime...cut even into my nail when the drag gave.

Gerhard · « **Reply #7 on:** June 22, 2015, 06:16:56 PM »

Craig,

Same leader setup as what you would use for GT...

Look at how the guys in Hawai take GT from the rocks. Over head casting setup that enable them to cast longer leaders for more abrasion on the volcanic rocks found in Hawai.

I think the setup you used earlier for your YT from the rocks is the perfect combination.

allsorts · « **Reply #8 on:** June 24, 2015, 07:16:13 AM »

I've done a bit of YT spinning around Cape Point this last season and have had lots of input from very experienced mates and seen what some the top rods at Cape Point use.

1. Lures
Reef is right that the traditional Cape 'spinners' are very popular but surface plugs are the norm unless the wind is pumping. The right spoons can be bought in most Cape tackle shops or online. Tin is great if you are not banging rocks all day - if you are then you will need Steve Champion style white metal spoons which are harder but still have good shine. Most of the designs have been knocked off so look for Keel, Seriola/Bouncer and Flat or Roundback styles in 60-70g. Attached pics taken in Steve's workshop show all the popular YT spoon designs. Leads spoons aren't much used as they chip and don't have great action at slower speeds.

Plugs are usually slim chisels (you don't want sideways wobble and splash or an erratic plug for YT) - Wayne Stanley's original Slim chisel is a great plug and his Yellowtail is less popular but also works well. Forget about cone or wide flat leerie style chisel plugs - too splashy and erratic. Poppers & stickbaits etc are waste of time, at least shore-based. Colours are usually white, green or pink. Pink is favoured in lowlight and green in bright light but there are no rules with YT, only broad principles. The new 'Canoe' style plugs have done exceptionally well - brands to look out for are the Williamson ones made by Wayne Stanley and Doug Swannell's clear Slim Sparkles which IMO are the best of the lot and caused serious mayhem in the late season.

allsorts · « **Reply #9 on:** June 24, 2015, 07:45:51 AM »

Typically lures used are 1.5-3.5oz, depending on the spot. Usually the heavier lures are needed to throw with heavy mono or thick braid (40lb) or buck the wind. Smaller plugs often work better but are hard to throw, especially in the wind.

2. Leaders
I've seen a variety of approaches taken, from .50 FC to 150lb braid tied straight to the clip (Dennis Swannell's Kwik Clips are trusted and used extensively). Heavy braid (150lb) cuts through the kelp and doesn't seem to put off the fish, especially in rough conditions around Cape Point. I certainly wouldn't recommend anything under .70mm. Long casting leaders make sense and if you are using spinning tackle you want to use a long braided casting leader which helps with abrasion and landing fish (often swung or 'thrown' as they say down here). Around 4m is a good length to start - I stitch mine and more and more guys are taking this approach. So stitched loop in main line, heavy braid casting leader (maybe twice strength of your casting braid) with loop to the reel and knotted to FC leader (approx. 1m) outside the guides to your Kwik clip. The casting guys use mono mostly (.47mm or even heavier) and FC or braided leaders - to be honest I haven't taken much notice of exact details but again a 4m casting leader is a good place to start. I've tried (and seen others try) long mono leaders with spinning gear - they suck basically because they really cost you casting distance, especially throwing into the wind.

3. You can use a stiff GT rod if you want but there is lots of casting involved and a rod that has lots of backbone to control fish but a softer tip for casting is ideal. You want a fast taper rod to control the fish, if you only have backbone down the rod you lose control more easily. Lengths used are usually 10-11'. A shorter butt is useful on the spinning sticks - long butts are a hassle on the rocks - sometimes you need to recast quickly close in and a long butt doesn't help. The top gun at Cape Point uses a fiberglass rod, multiplier and mono line (>100 fish last season) so the old way still works very well.

Hopefully this will help a bit...

colin · « **Reply #10 on:** June 24, 2015, 09:04:56 AM »

very informative

error · « **Reply #11 on:** June 24, 2015, 12:18:19 PM »

Great post allsorts! :)

"Most of the designs have been knocked off "

Regarding the point of being copied i think it's great that Steve Champion always credits the original pattern maker of the original moulds. For example Keel's all Boshoff brother patterns that were extensively copied and later modified with variations by guys like Ashley Read and Wayne Stanley. I think it would be nice if they also credited the original pattern maker that they copied because a lot of stories and legacy is lost by not doing so.

For the readers on this forum for example each of his spinners on the board contain the initials of the patternmaker for example "LB Med Round Back" refers to Louis Boshoff Round Back and Steve Champion always credits and keen to explain the history behind a particular design. What a great gentleman!

REEFMAN · « **Reply #12 on:** June 24, 2015, 01:49:46 PM »

Ya flippin' awesome post there Rolfe! Right out the horse's mouth! Thanks for sharing!

allsorts · « **Reply #13 on:** June 24, 2015, 01:59:04 PM »

So long as it's the horse's mouth Reefs it's all good...;)

ulua · « **Reply #14 on:** June 24, 2015, 02:25:29 PM »

Thanks guys for the very informative info, always keen to learn any new tricks and tips to tackle tail.

I use either a Exage 110 or GC 5 with 18kg Maxima with 1mm Maxima leader.

On the last trip I dropped down to 16kg, which I loaded onto a Shimano Tranx and was getting good distance of 100m + casts and managed to land a decent fish.

I hooked 1 on a 30lbs braid / grinder setup and stood no chance.

Definitely still think Maxima is the way to go.

allsorts · « **Reply #15 on:** June 24, 2015, 02:55:25 PM »

There is maybe one YT spot in the country where you can land fish on 20-30lb braid land-based - everywhere else the gear you're using is perfect...

Hopefully I'll get up to Cape St Francis this summer - according to the Swannells it can

Poenie · « **Reply #16 on:** June 24, 2015, 03:05:10 PM »

...also keep in mind the size fish being targeted in Cpt is substantially smaller than up the South Coast, so I'd fish quite a bit heavier further up the coast than in Cpt.

allsorts · « **Reply #17 on:** June 24, 2015, 03:19:29 PM »

Sure odd 30lber around up St Francis way...or so Dennis S. told me

REEFMAN · « **Reply #18 on:** June 24, 2015, 05:39:33 PM »

Quote from: allsorts on June 24, 2015, 01:59:04 PM

So long as it's the horse's mouth Reefs it's all good...;)

Meant in the nicest of ways...

allsorts · « **Reply #19 on:** June 24, 2015, 05:47:32 PM »

Was totally kidding - zero offense taken...shoulda put more smilies!