Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Conventional and Bait Casting Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Penn University => Topic started by: Tunanorth on February 06, 2026, 12:12:00 AM

Title: Video: Yo-Yo fishing for yellowtail
Post by: Tunanorth on February 06, 2026, 12:12:00 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAKOv9bXKO0
Title: Re: Video: Yo-Yo fishing for yellowtail
Post by: Brewcrafter on February 06, 2026, 04:41:16 AM
Great information as always Steve! - john
Title: Re: Video: Yo-Yo fishing for yellowtail
Post by: MarkT on February 06, 2026, 08:22:11 AM
If the fish are at the bottom I let the jig hit the bottom, immediately go into gear and give it 10 fast cranks. Drop back down and repeat. At 40+" per crank that's over 3' per crank. 10 cranks is more than 30'!
Title: Re: Video: Yo-Yo fishing for yellowtail
Post by: MACflyer on February 06, 2026, 10:48:22 AM
Enjoyed the video. Will try this more on grouper. Thanks.
Title: Re: Video: Yo-Yo fishing for yellowtail
Post by: jurelometer on February 06, 2026, 06:27:32 PM
Quote from: MACflyer on Today at 10:48:22 AMEnjoyed the video. Will try this more on grouper. Thanks.

My experience from fishing spots with both grouper and yellowtail (these are yellowtail jack BTW, and not yellowtail snapper) present is that the speed winding is really just for the yellowtail.  Unlike yellowtail, groupers are not built to be able to run down fast moving prey in open water.  The grouper bites usually come on the stop and start of the wind at end of the drop, usually tight to the bottom.  Once that jig gets moving fast and is away from the bottom, I don't get grouper bites.

Those SoCal style irons like the Tady and Salas yo-yos will work for grouper, but are not my first choice. Wind with a less than full speed retrieve, but otherwise using the method Mark suggested for yellowtail that are tight to the bottom.

-J
Title: Re: Video: Yo-Yo fishing for yellowtail
Post by: MACflyer on February 06, 2026, 07:05:21 PM
That makes sense J. Grouper are kind of lazy. I've heard a gag will go after a lure, but still have not caught a legal one, in season, yet.
Title: Re: Video: Yo-Yo fishing for yellowtail
Post by: boon on February 06, 2026, 10:24:32 PM
Do longfall style for grouper. Yellowtail will still eat it.