[Bill McIntyre]

Welcome to DB. Please join us on the California-West Coast forum. We could use some activity there.

In answer to the question, since you were in shallow water, I think its likely that you would have been able to handle a white sea bass that size. After all, even if it got to the bottom and wrapped in the kelp, your shooting line exceeded the depth.

However, I would encourage you to get a float line or a reel so that you will be equipped for a larger fish when you see it. And BTW, if you dive in kelp, you won't able to use a float because you can't tow it without being tangled. Most people who use a float line have a small float on the end that just serves as something to grab when all the line has been pulled through your hand. And since you don't have a float to fight the fish, you need a long line (I prefer 100 feet) in order to give you a chance to stop the fish.