SoCal Yellowtail Surface Iron Set Up | Get Dialed In

I love fishing Yellowtail with surface iron. It is a real adrenaline rush when you make that long cast, take a couple of cranks, then your line goes tight!
Having the proper equipment is a mush when fishing these brutes. My go to surface iron set up is a PCH Custom Inshore rod matched with a Komodo SS 450 size reel. This makes for long casting, solid hook sets and a lot of fun! Oh, and they always put some meat on the bbq.
Gear Discussed:
Okuma Komodo SS - amzn.to/3pBnXxl
Okuma PCH Inshore Rod- t.ly/nfZp
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[@charlesbyrum8828]

Awesome looking setup. After 40 something years of being born and raised in SoCal I finally made the move to a much more simpler life. One of the very few things that I do miss is my all time favorite fish to catch and eat. Yellowtail. I agree that I would definitely take tail over tuna any time.

[@DaveysWorldFishing]

Congrats on getting out of here! Good for you. Really only about the only thing we have left going for us is our opportunity to catch tasty fish.

[@michaelniemiec5235]

Have the same set up nice job

[@andyc5515]

Great setup! I use the Komodo 471 / SCti 8-6 rod and the medium Dorado color Savage squish jig for Yellowtail, gets it done!

[@DaveysWorldFishing]

Yeah it does! Great set up right there. Love and miss the SCTi rods.

[@CAyellowtail]

Love my Komodo 463P on my United Composites Reaper 9E rod. Iron chucking is a blast for me with this combo.

[@jrvalentin100]

Oh men, Almost the same set up, I have Komodo SS 471p partner it with PCH custom inshore 7’6 heavy. Planning to put 65# braid power pro on it. Never used it. I hope this year I will catch my FIRST yellowtail..

[@DaveysWorldFishing]

Good luck! You’ll get one. You have a great set up!

[@smahiz]

Hey Davey, glad I found your videos. I'm looking for a setup for surface irons (never thrown before). Most surface iron setups I've found on youtube use longer rods and until this video recommended other baitcasters, yet this is a go-to for you. So many options its hard to decide. . . I will probably just go to local tackle shop and have them pick out a setup. Subbed!

[@DaveysWorldFishing]

I'm glad you stopped by. The Komodo reels are really ideal. The the stainless steel main gear, pinion gear, spool shaft and drive shaft, you can't go wrong. And the 30+lbs of drag is plenty of stopping power. As far as the rod goes, it really just becomes personal preference. Usually you'll see anywhere from 7'6" to 10' rods for anglers who are die-hard surface iron anglers.

[@notfounder285]

Lexa 400 or Komodo with a 8 foot rod is such a great starter set up, I use straight 65 max cuatro with short leader 2-3 feet. Once you get used to it you can upgrade to a trini or torium and get a 9”0 rod.(if you want)

[@notfounder285]

4-3 feet* sorry

[@diegotobar6839]

We have similar setups. I suse Daiwa Lexa400 WN on a Okuma Select swimbait. But I also have a seagate 35 on a Californian rod 9ft

[@DaveysWorldFishing]

Not bad set ups as well.

[@catim]

Still love my Daiwa SL20sh on my Calstar 8ft deckhand rod for yellows

[@DaveysWorldFishing]

That is a great setup for sure.

[@1j007zm]

They say color doesn't matter too much, but it seems I get more action with the mints, white mints,and scrambled egg. Salas, Tady & JRI are my favorites

[@DaveysWorldFishing]

I’ve heard the same and that it more about action. I 100% agree with your colors.

[@francoisl7663]

I've got a tady 45 green/white holographic, killer. Thing looks like a real fish. Idk about the scrambled egg tbh but heard it works.

[@Roboworm99]

💪🏼

[@noride11]

Torn between the Komodos and the Tranx line of reels. I currently fish the Lexas and I love the way they cast, but they're getting a bit older and I will need to replace them soon. while I'm at it, I'd like to try something new. I've heard mixed reviews about the casting capabilities of the Komodo compared to the Tranxes. Also some complaint about their ergonomics. The stainless gear and the gobs of drag make them pretty attractive to me. I have a Komodo ss 273 coming to me this Sunday. I'd like to use the 273 as my inshore/bay set up but I wonder if I am leaving anything on the table by not going Tranx...

[@DaveysWorldFishing]

I love the 273 and own about 5. They are perfect for our inshore fishing and cast a mile. As far as the bigger reels go, I happen to have a bunch of those as well. I’m sure you’ll be happy with any one of the reels you mentioned. Whatever you choose, hope you whack a bunch of fish!

[@ScubaChris]

By far one of the best educational vids yet. Our Yellowtail in Hawaii has a few large worms "sometimes" once over 20lb. But still tasty! I assume your T-Shirt is from your last Maui staycation?

[@DaveysWorldFishing]

Longs! Always the best T-Shirt deals.

[@NickFish007]

I had to copy your setup Dave it's just too pretty! Can't wait to get out there on the kayak

[@DaveysWorldFishing]

It’s an awesome set up! You are going to love it.

[@socaloutdoors7355]

Just bought that reel ...paired with a phenix inshore Xtrafast45..

[@DaveysWorldFishing]

Going to be a great set up!

[@hectorrodriquez8785]

I don't know but unless Yellowtail are doing strength and conditioning, I see no problems using a Jigmaster 500 with a Calstar 670 and 50lb braid

[@1j007zm]

I've landed many many yellows on my jigmaster, love the 500's

[@ANT.LEEEEE]

Hard to find the PCH-i XH-SG rod!!! do you know when it will be in stock again?

[@DaveysWorldFishing]

That’s a great question. I know that they won’t be on the Okuma site as they won’t list rods 8’ and above for sale. And I’m pretty sure the split grip versions were discontinued a season or two ago. In looking at the newest catalog, they only have the 7’6”H, 8’MH and 8’H versions listed.

[@12babyapes59]

Hey Dave I just purchased A Komodo 463 , a PCH c 801 H ,50lb braid , How long of soft steel flouro should I top shot.

[@DaveysWorldFishing]

Great combo right there! Top shot length is 100% personal preference. I like to go shorter than the length of my rod. I generally go 5 - 7 feet. I do this so that the connection knot isn’t constantly going on and out of the guides. On the surface iron, it’s a reaction bite, so I feel the fish won’t be as line shy. Good luck out there!

[@fishinfred9065]

Hey I'm new to all this but could you use that setup say to throw on a live bait real quick? What other kind of setup would you want for that?

[@DaveysWorldFishing]

Hi Fred. Thank you for watching. That same setup is perfect for live bait. The Komodos and PCH inshore are perfect for that. Cut off that jig, tie on a hook and you are all set. In fact, with the length of the rod and castability of the Komodo, you can really get your bait out there. And with close to 30lbs of drag, you are all set.

[@socalfishincrew5410]

Hi I’m just wondering if my setup might be to light for yellowtail if you could tell me or any tips. I have a Shimano teramar Ne medium power rated 20-50 pounds and a pisificun alijoz 300 spooled with 40 pound power pro.

[@DaveysWorldFishing]

That setup should work out great for you. The key for the rod is the length. A good 8' or longer seems to be key to get the longer casts. I don't know much about the Piscifun reels, but if they have a good amount of drag, and actually hold up to the brutal fight of yellowtail, you should be good to go!

[@socalfishincrew5410]

@@DaveysWorldFishing yes it has 33 pounds of drag

[@bittabrutha31]

What charter do you recommend? Coming from Sacramento and my boys love fishing.

[@DaveysWorldFishing]

I suppose it would depend on how long of a trip you plan to go on. The fishing is excellent right now, and should continue to get better with another hurricane off of Mexico right now. If you are looking one day type of trip, Tribute, Ranger 85, Constitution and Poseidon are all awesome boats that get on the fish.

[@dr.farhangshahzadi229]

Perfect for private boats. You won’t make friends with sport boat crews and captains by recommending customers bring bass gear for pelagic gamefish.

[@ecgonefishing1099]

Hey I have a heavy swimbait rod 8ft rated 20-50lb line 1oz-5oz lure and the same reel you have do you think This rod will work because I can’t really afford a new rod right now

[@DaveysWorldFishing]

It should work out great for you. That’s a really nice set up.

[@sprayo1e]

How much of that 65lb braid is on that particular reel?

[@DaveysWorldFishing]

Hi there- on the Komodo 450 size reels you get about 200-215 yds of 65lb braid. If you want to go with 50lb, you are looking at 300yds. ,

[@reason7123]

Are you sure the line retrieve is 4' (48")? Pretty sure that's a lie.

[@xhammerhead22x]

How long of a top shot are you using?

[@DaveysWorldFishing]

I usually go less than a rod length. Four to five feet usually does the trick.

[@xhammerhead22x]

Right on. Thanks Dave. I finally found the xh model of the pch inshore rod. Everything is so hard to get right now. I got the 2x okuma rail rod and alijos 12nsii on order from charkbait. Anyways, love the channel. Didnt realize that you were the same guy from okuma's channel at first. Thanks again for the info.

[@DaveysWorldFishing]

@@xhammerhead22x Lol. No problem at all. Hope you have a great season out there.

[@averagebrosadventures3396]

Can you tell me how long of a fluoro leader you use when fly lining sardines or mackerel? I’ve heard everything from 1 yard to 30 yards but haven’t seemed to determine which is best

[@qball8437]

Obviously he's never seen a mossback homeguard.....or he wouldn't be standing there with the 'BASSMASTERS CLASSIC' TOY he's calling a yellowtail setup......lmfao Advice from 'farmer jhon.......smh

[@DaveysWorldFishing]

Thanks for the laugh. That was funny.