Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Works bringing me to San Diego next month and I might have a chance to jump on a 1/2 day am to go fish.  I'll bring an Okuma travel rod and my favorite Penn 113n Baja with the Cortez conversion!  I can toss in my bag but Must Travel light!!   What would you all suggest I bring.  Do they care if I have braid ? (That's a huge no on most east coast day boats) 30 lb flouro leader? 1/0 or 2/0 hook? I'm sure just a few. What size Weights? Should I even bring something I can throw or are the boats to crowded for that? Which boat or does that really matter. 
Thanks very much,
Mike from Memphis

Your rod and reel should be fine, no problem with braid.  Unless the water warms up they'd probably fish for rockfish anywhere from 200'-450' deep   Don't really need floro for that, 30lb mono is good   Double dropper loops to a torpedo sinker is standard
If the surface fish gets going you'd be fishing live bait, flyline or a small sinker. Might want a couple surface irons, tady45 jri7 or similar
The landing will have all the terminal tackle you need and advise on what to get, most boats carry basic tackle for sale too
Have a burger and a cool drink on the way in while the deckhands filet your fish.

No trouble with braid.  This is the 21st century!  Most people use it.

The 1/2d am trips tend to focus on bottom fishing but they can also head to the kelp line or shallow reef. If you have em, a few smaller hooks (size 1-2) and some 1/4-1 oz egg sinkers mite come in handy. And your favorite shiny lure (1-3 oz).

If you want a lighter rig & some terminal tackle, hit me up. I'm in north county near Carlsbad. I could meet you 1/2 way or even jump on trip depending on day.

Keith

Honestly, your Baja special will be overkill for most fish caught on these 1/2 day boats. Sometimes they will run into yellowtail, but they mostly catch bass and smaller grade rock fish. If you don't mind the extra weight then definitely go with the Baja Special, but a 400 size baitcaster or a 12 to 15 sized reel will handle pretty much anything the boat runs into.