Tackle Recommendations for over night rock cod trip

**Native Warrior** · Jan-22-2011, 11:22 PM

my buddy and I are booked on an over-night rock cod trip on the 28th and I was wondering what kind of set up we should bring (rod and reel). also, do you recommend straight braid on the reel for rock cod or a top shot of mono and what lb. test for each? How heavy of a weight should we be using (range...e.g. 12-16oz.)? also, are there any heavy jigs you may recommend?

Thanks for your comments and help!

**bassnglass** · Jan-22-2011, 11:56 PM

I fish straight 65 spectra on a 4/0. 16 oz usually works great.

**tekguy** · Jan-23-2011, 12:46 AM

Any reel that will hold 300 yards of 65 pound spectra. JigMaster size will do. Any rod somewhere in the 20_50 range will be fine. Bring 4/0 hooks and weights from 8 to16 ounces

**CAPTRANDEL** · Jan-23-2011, 07:50 AM

A lot of my passengers are fishing spectra with a top shot because if you get stuck on the bottom the top shot will break and free you up.I am seeing smaller reels and lighter rods on the boat and those anglers seem to catch more fish.12 to 16 oz sinkers will be fine or a heavy jig

**garrironman** · Jan-23-2011, 07:52 AM

diamond jigs with a shrimp fly

**mcrae** · Jan-23-2011, 08:05 AM

Any big jig between 12 and 16 ounces will do, 40lb test topshot works well and spectra is the most used.

**trandc9** · Jan-23-2011, 05:10 PM

How deep do they fish?

**Native Warrior** · Jan-23-2011, 11:27 PM

I would imagine that they are fishing somewhere between 100 and 300 feet of water. Thank you for all of the information and recommendations guys!

**Hoose** · Jan-24-2011, 01:29 PM

Having just returned from a 1.5 day trip on the LEGEND, this is what I saw work best. Outfits - my favorite is the Baja Special (4/0N) filled with #50 braid. Some guys use #65, but I like the #50 since it's almost impossible to break from a drifting boat and after cod season you can put a short top shot on it for a #30-#40 outfit. The important thing is to have a reel with the needed 'diameter' per a crank for this type of fishing. The guy next to me had 6:1 gear ratio but it was on a low profile bass reel and he was winding like no other on that tiny diameter spool.

As for rods, the 7' #25- #40 rated works good. I fish a Cal Star 6480 with all AFTCO lightweight roller tips. Longer rods easier on the crank up and work around bow and tangles etc.

I would have a yo yo outfit with #40 lb and a scrambled egg Salas 6x jr ready juast in case yellows bite - a couple were caught down there Saturday on the dropper loops.

Bring (3) 12 oz torpedo sinkers and (3) 16 oz torpedo sinkers. You will lose 1-2 of each size, and some boats dont sell them so better to be prepared than end up without.

Bring a 1/4 lb spool of clear #40 mono. This will be used to make double hook dropper loop rigs. I lost a nice ling cod that bit through my #30 lb leader- and #40 got bit just fine and gives a little more insurance on the bigger grade Mexican lings.

Hooks, the EZ Baiter and Kirby in 3/0 and 4/0 seemed to work just fine on Gulp!, sardines, and fresh frozen squid baits. The landings sell them, and do a good job on the cod.

No 'jewelry' on your dropper loop rigs- meaning no beads, swivels, etc. The guys getting their limits were using 'clean' #40 lb leaders and double hook dropper loop rigs. Of course a good quality swivel to attach the braid to the mono leader is needed.

Jigs: the brown/yellow/red Jax jigs were working, as well as the 6-8 oz Diamond jigs on the lings. The guy next to me hooked and lost a nice 'ling?' on a Butterfly in chrome/black. I was fishing the Gulp! 6" grub in pink shine and the 4" Gulp! swimming mullet on top hook. My lings were on the grub and reds on the swimming mullet. The lings wanted the live sardine on the bottom hook.

Be ready to drop' when captain calls over PA- small areas you need to be ready to go when ordered.

Good luck!

**abdiver7777** · Jan-24-2011, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by CAPTRANDEL

A lot of my passengers are fishing spectra with a top shot because if you get stuck on the bottom the top shot will break and free you up.I am seeing smaller reels and lighter rods on the boat and those anglers seem to catch more fish.12 to 16 oz sinkers will be fine or a heavy jig

What he said..........

except I tie the weight to the dropper loops with 12lb mono so I don't have to fight to break it off on a snag.......

Just remember to crank up 3-6 turns after you hit bottom so you have less chance of snagging......... Rock Fish swim around in the first 2 to 5 feet off the bottom anyway..........

Stay away from asshats that use too little weight..... if you are drifting over structure your line needs to be straight down.....bring lots of different size weight so you can adjust to changing conditions...... ask the deckies if you are unsure....