I had “accidentally” caught a nabeta on a 2 oz jig the last time out and hoped that a damashi rig would be a lot more effective. Found these packaged damashi rigs from my California party boat days but dealing with so many hooks concerned me. I split the rigs in half, sort of, and limited the modified rigs to 2 hooks each.
Expecting the current to be slow on a projected light wind day, I used a 2 oz Ahi USA Assault jig with the treble hook cut off as the damashi weight about 2 ft before the bottom hook. Added an assist hook to the top.
The winds were light on our paddle out and Frank immediately hooked up with two 12 inch omilu on frozen oama. I put out a lipped sinking swimming plug when I reached 50 ft and had a screamer of a strike. A fish jumped out of the water in the distance and I was hoping the long, skinny fish was another ono like Frank had caught a couple of weeks ago. Sadly, it was a tail wrapped aha which I video’d but am no longer giving those nasty fish any more media coverage. With such a hot inshore bite we were anticipating some action in the deep. It took a while to find what I think was the opelu school and they were scattered near the bottom in the 120 ft area. Unlike the previous trips, they weren’t bunched up and thick, and just past them, there was a weird rip current churning the top of the water that took us on a bumpy ride out to sea. We paddled back closer to shore and noticed the bait school was staying just on the inside edge of this rip. Our weights didn’t get the damashi rig straight down through the strong current and after trying for more than an hr we paddled in a ways to look for nabeta.
More weirdness. Our damashi rig appeared to getting pulled to the east, but we weren’t drifting to the west. Once again, the rigs weren’t straight up and down which made for sloping jigging of the flies. Nothing bit our rigs and then the trade winds picked up and we had to paddle in to the protection of the inner reef.
Frank deployed another frozen oama and got bit right away. Another off-season 12 inch omilu! He was making it look too easy. I joined him and whipped my swimming jig in the vicinity but bite ended.
I consulted my damashi senseis and asked why we did so badly. They said our weights were too light for the strong current, my hooks were too far away from the weight, and when we fished the inside, there was probably a strong current pulling east with wind blowing west, holding our kayaks in place. Bottom line, when the damashi isn’t getting down effectively, use more weight. I’ll try 4 to 5 ounces next time, and make my lead about 5 inches from my bottom hook. If we actually catch an opelu we’re not fully prepare to use it properly but we’ll deal with that bridge when we come to it.
If you guys have any damashi tips for us, please send them our way!
The one time I used the sabiki fly rig, I used 4-5 oz. sinkers attached to a looped thick rubber band and looped around the bottom swivel.
This way, if you get hung up, you should be able to break the thick rubber band. Using the rubber band allows you to ‘tie’ on another lead quickly.
That’s a great idea Rich! Easier to loop the rubber band than to tie short lead lines. So many disciplines of fishing to learn, and doing it sitting on a kayak is a lot harder than standing up.
Yeah, looping rubber bands are a lot easier than tying knots on a rocking object, especially at our age!
The only disadvantage is you can’t use your jig if you use the rubber band. However, since you’re using a fish finder, you know exactly how deep you are.
That would be my biggest fear – snagging some rocks and then having to struggle to break-off that 30-60lb leader and braided line from a kayak. Not to mention losing your $8-$20 lure.
You’re dead on Rich. It’s very hard to break off snags from the kayak. I’m rethinking the use of a jig as the weight of the damashi. I think the damashi flies look better if the weight is falling vertically instead of fluttering side to side.
I’m hoping I can land the catch in my snag-free net and unhook the fish without snagging the net or myself with the other free swinging hook. I’ll keep a jig rigged on the second hook in case I want to drop down a larger lure.
Very similar to what Rich says we use the 4-6 ounce depending on depth and wind and pre-tie 3-6lb test loops for easy break-offs should it get snagged on reef.
Great tip Erik. I tied up some pieces of lead with looped ends to quickly attach to the damashi swivel. Hope the 4 to 8 oz weights allow me to thump the bottom properly.
Hey Scott,
I use sabiki rigs all the time.
The very best tip is to put a tiny piece of bait on each hook. Use the same secret bait that we used when I was out there. Works like a charm.
Cheers, Justin
Great idea Justin. Will try Gulp grubs first since I have some old ones and that’s easier to take than bait.
thanks,
scott
Use real bait!
Hey Scott, I suggest ditching the pre-made damashi and making your own out of fluorocarbon. Da fish hungry not blind…
Merry Christmas!
Hey Andy,
You’re a believer in fluorocarbon leaders huh? I am too, but know of plenny boat fishermen that use mono leaders. Seaguar does make a sabiki out of fluorocarbon. I’ll try to make my own out of fluoro and compare with the mono versions.
Thanks,
scott
There is NO such thing as a failed fishing trip!
Next time the fish don’t bite for you, which is rare, I’ll remind you of that comment. 🙂
The only failed fishing trip is the one where you decide to stay on the couch! Also a bad day fishing still beats the best day in the office!