(13) 02/10/2015 - Yellowtail caught with a 160g Shimano Flat Fall aboard the New Seaforth.

I had a few friends ask me, "how do you fish that thing?" So, here's a simple video explaining the process.
I would like to see Shimano come out with a 180g and 200g FF also, as getting to the bottom fast can be an issue with the lighter jigs.
Also, I had to reload this video after finding a few grammar errors, and KZbin poo-pooed me for the music. So, Tom Petty's out, MOE's in.

[@hanna2nv]

hey andrew for line weight we use lb as well. but if you want to know 40 lb is 18 kilo. if you need to get a soft plastic down fast i like using zman jerkshads in 5-7 inch just use a bigger jighead. can get 3 4 or even 5 oz jigheads. or just rig it on a hook with some sinkers on top or theres a rig called the elevator rig specically for deep presentations of soft plastics what it is a big bomb sinker with a metal ring on it attached to that is a solid ring which has a strong hook with keepers on it for soft plastics and because its on rings the lure will move independantly to the sinker with more freedom. can slow jig these as zman float the plasic will ride up. awesome deepwater king rig

[@AndrewKloster]

I'm going to try it. I can't get Zman's here, so I will use Gulp instead (very similar). I'm going to try the paddle tail "fish trap" style. Hopefully I can get hit on the sink too, as even a 5oz plastic is going to take a while to drop to 40/50 fathoms!! If or when I land one, I'll be sure to take a picture with the rig in its mouth and add it to a future video ;) Thanks for the info - FISH ON!!

[@tanners.6524]

Andrew Kloster Zman plastics are sold all over San Diego, not sure what you're talking about. They outfish most other baits out there and will last a whole lot longer.

[@BruceAImighty808]

I was visiting family in Cali and tried jigging for the first time. We were on the San Diego (Seaforth) out of mission bay SD last weekend (3/22/15) and fished the Coronado islands. Everyone's tackle seemed so big compared to mine but my goal was to catch the same fish everyone else was catching except on lighter tackle. With all the advancements in rods, reels and line you really don't need the heavier rods and reels anymore. At least not for any of the fish that were being caught while I was there. I had a 14000 Stella and a Phenix Megalodon as a backup just in case my ass got handed to me on the light setup but I didn't need it. My setup was a Medium Treval S, 5000 Stradic FJ, 20 lb. PowerPro, 25 lb. Fluorocarbon leader and a 130 gram Flat fall jig. All Shimano. I landed a 23 lb. yellowtail that day. The largest yellowtail caught that day came in at 26 lbs so I felt very happy with my setup. Super lightweight and she handled really well. The fish fought hard and made some really good runs. There were two sea lions present so every time they got near my fish would haul ass and made for a really good fight. I can't say enough about the Trevala S. Awesome rod. I wish I had it all on video.

[@joelbutler9749]

Came for the yellowtail, stayed for Timmy Tucker!!!!!

[@AndrewKloster]

+Joel Butler The world could use a little more Timmy T in their lives ;)

[@gbuddski8121]

what the? So many people on the boat! They were like flies on S**t when you hooked that thing and why no ice for your fish?

[@AndrewKloster]

OK, KZbin is freaking out, and I'm finding myself responding to comments and questions I've already replied to. Heh, wonderful. The algorithms be buggin.

[@richardpcrowe]

Did you replace the two trap hooks with a treble?

[@AndrewKloster]

No, I leave them stock :)

[@hanna2nv]

also the rod i use is gomoku kodachi micro jig rod awesome

[@hanna2nv]

where are you from mate? and can always use a paternoster rig but with the gulp so you drop shot it basically

[@frodoswaggins9794]

Phenix black diamonds are the best rods :) Which model where you using? I currently use the one rated 15-40 pounds and I do fine.

[@AndrewKloster]

+Frodo Swaggins When fishing for Yellowtail I'm using the PSW-760H (25-60 lb). Because of the seals, I need to be able to fish heavier top shots, and horse the fish in. I have not had a single issue with that rod yet.

[@hectordlt1]

+Andrew Kloster I have the Phenix Abyss. I had heard about Phenix but not tried it until last year when I bought mine. I will probably be only using Phenix from now on. Just picked up a custom Phenix Rod today at Dan Hernandez swapmeet.

[@1004w12]

The solid gold ones are yellow money out behind cat.

[@AndrewKloster]

What species are hitting the gold hard? Any standouts?

[@ungabunga6494]

A lot of boat captains here in San Diego seem to suggest using a 15 foot fluorocarbon 80 pound top shot so as to not break off with 40 pound or larger tuna..Do you think using a 80 pound top shot is too much overkill for the Shimano flat fall jig for a 2 day tuna trip from Seaforth sport fishing in August 2017?

[@AndrewKloster]

I spoke with a friend of mine at Seaforth about this. I'm (we're) guessing the 15 feet of fluoro is being tied straight to the braid backing without a section of mono (shock absorber). That would explain the long length, as 2 to 3 feet would be adequate. Fluoro is expensive, hah! A 250g (8.8oz for us Yanks) Flat Fall is not going to be affected much by the 80# fluoro. The fluoro comes into play when a bigger model BF or YF swallows your jig deep, and the line is scraping across the fish's teeth. Obviously you can get away with lighter line, but you're taking a risk of losing a trophy fish if the bigger grade are around, and that does NOT make Captain's happy! haha! Good luck on your trip!!! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Below is a picture (link) of what I fished last week: drive.google.com/open?id=0B4tq5wleWyX1aXNad2NvblhiYjQ

[@LBCBassKings]

San Diego jam knot? I remember seeing it on the back of Rapala's boxes

[@AndrewKloster]

I'm not sure why it's called the SD jam knot, maybe it's just a local thing? I dunno.

[@AnglerSeulangaMVA6891]

Good .... Fish On Power Jig Bro .. 👍💪

[@skrawnyone]

what do u mean when u say "pop your reel out of gear often on the retrieve to cover more of the water column?". putting it on free spool on the retrieve? sorry im new to using lures. thanks!

[@AndrewKloster]

skrawnyone If you decide to let the lure sink to the bottom, and don't get a strike, try reeling up ten/fifteen cranks fast enough to impart action on the lure, but not so fast that the lure spins, then put your reel in free spool for a second or two, and let the lure fall half the distance from where you started. This way if you're not sure where the fish are suspended, you can cover more area effectively. To be honest, I don't know if there is an absolute right or wrong way to fish this lure, as long as it looks "different" to the surrounding bait, it will probably get a strike. Tight lines!

[@AndrewKloster]

+bennbo. Overhead?

[@tritoobe]

Andrew, what is the reel model/brand your are using in this video? Do you think that reel is able to handle a 30-40 lbs fish?

[@AndrewKloster]

tritoobe The reel in that video is a Shimano TranX 500HP 6.6:1. I've caught several Yellowtail in the 25lb range with it, and had no issues. The reel is spooled with 65# Shimano Power Pro Super 8 Slick / with a mono topshot, which was probably 40 pound P-Line. It has great line capacity for its size. It's a high gear ratio single speed though, so fish in the upper size range (40+lb) are going to give you a battle because of the loss of torque. It's a great all-around reel, and I fish it often.

[@tritoobe]

very nice! Thanks for the info!

[@Tony67032]

how do you like that tranx reel and how many yards of 65lb braid you were able to put on it

[@AndrewKloster]

So far I haven't had any issues with my Tranx (500 HG). I have 150 yards of 65# Daiwa Samurai Braid on the spool, and it's topped off with 40# PLine CXX. I've been mostly using it to throw surface iron (Salas 7x, and Tady 45's). I've been considering ordering a second spool to fill to the top with braid. You could probably cram about 300 yards of 65# Max Cuatro on that thing.

[@BubbaclubbaW]

Great video, do you prefer that flat fall jig or the colt sniper?

[@AndrewKloster]

I like both, but the Flat Fall is much less work - no work at all actually, you just drop it in and let it sink. Late last year I was casting the 130g FF and retrieving it like a surface jig, and the Bonito were all over it. I hear three common complaints about the FF: 1. It's too expensive (by far the most common gripe). 2. It's too hard to replace. 3. They need to make a bigger/heavier model. On the other hand, if I want to get to the bottom fast, the Colt Sniper the better choice. If I had to choose between the two, I'd take the FF - more versatile.

[@misfit13actual86]

Been looking at getting one of these...you like the Jam knot better than a Palomar?

[@AndrewKloster]

I've had had mixed results with the Palomar, but haven't had the Jam knot fail on me yet. They seem to be about equally strong, so either one is fine.

[@misfit13actual86]

+Andrew Kloster Appreciate your reply, I'll give it a shot... if your ever out in your yak and want company let me know, I'm always out in La Jolla

[@AndrewKloster]

+Ryan Mcgaffick When the LJ Yellowtail get on the bite this summer I'm definitely going to take you up on that offer!

[@misfit13actual86]

+Andrew Kloster Sounds good!

[@jesuszamudio1383]

What type of knot is that??

[@AndrewKloster]

"San Diego Jam" knot

[@noahv5168]

Can I cast it and then reel like a surface iron?

[@AndrewKloster]

You can, but it's not going to "swim" like a true surface plug. When fishing for Bonito I'll cast it out, let it sink a few feet then retrieve it just fast enough to make the lure wobble, but not so fast it spins. Other times I'll just drop it in the water and let it sink like a yo-yo iron. To be honest there is no 'wrong' way to fish this shiny lure.

[@dudedude4375]

Enjoyed it!

[@AndrewKloster]

Thank you

[@muhdharith2790]

The whole town are fishing

[@AndrewKloster]

It definitely gets busy.

[@tritoobe]

nice video by the way!

[@alansarpy]

what connecting knot to your topshot do you use.. thanks

[@AndrewKloster]

I use the "RP" knot, also known as the "Alberto". kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpXPqadqg7mGaJo

[@alansarpy]

thanks bud... I love the flat fall... got into a WO BFtuna bite last year on the aztec... everybody was getting bit on 20lb using live bite, but i was getting bit on 50lb using the flatty the could not resist it lol

[@AndrewKloster]

50# line? You owned that fish! Rad!

[@AndrewKloster]

In this video I was using a braid to mono connection. For that connection I used the "RP" knot. It has a lot of other names, but that's the one I'm most familiar with. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpXPqadqg7mGaJo If I add a small tippet of Fluorocarbon to the mono I use the Uni to Uni knot. :)

[@AndrewKloster]

OK, KZbin is freaking out, and I'm finding myself responding to comments and questions I've already replied to. Heh, wonderful. The algorithms be buggin.

[@mariusbartolome7109]

can i use that knot for amberjack

[@AndrewKloster]

Marius Bartolome I've used this knot on monofilament up to 80 lbs with no issues.

[@hugegiantnothing]

"An embarrassing amount of time later" LMFAO! I always feel the same way....

[@hugegiantnothing]

Frank Gomez Oh yeah, and nice fish brother!

[@AndrewKloster]

I was breathing hard at the end. I could have edited that out, but whatever, it's what happened. Tight lines!

[@hugegiantnothing]

Thanks, jumping on the 095 tonight after them tuna. Just bought my first flatfalls.. last trip watched this dude slam a 75lb yellowfin and decided to grab a few.

[@AndrewKloster]

Frank Gomez How did that trip go, did nail any? It's been nuts!

[@hugegiantnothing]

Dude... FOAMING JUMPING HUGE TUNA everywhere... didnt eat a damn thing!!!! I threw everything at em... bait.. colt sniper.. popper, flatfall, tady, surface... rough day.. gotta pay for the good days.

[@sansooey]

Which rod are you using? Thx

[@AndrewKloster]

sansooey Phenix Rod: Black Diamond series PSW760H (7' 6" Heavy action) :-)

[@mariusbartolome7109]

what knot did you use

[@AndrewKloster]

Marius Bartolome I used the "San Diego Jam knot". it's basically a modified clinch knot.

[@mariusbartolome7109]

what is your rod and reel

[@AndrewKloster]

Specs are listed at 1:08 in the video. Rod: PHENIX PSW-760H REEL: SHIMANO TRANX HG

[@AlPal5000]

what knot was that?

[@AndrewKloster]

It was the San Diego Jam knot - I just use eight wraps instead of five when attaching lures. No particular reason.

[@Darksagan]

Damn the boat looked like a cluster fuck. Is it always like that.

[@AndrewKloster]

The NSF is a half day boat which was catching near limits of Yellowtail for about a week in -->February