Bait Casters From A Kayak?

[Zeeso]

I am thinking about purchasing a kayak.  I prefer to use bait casting gear.  I don't think I have ever sat down and fished with a bait caster in a position that would be similar to a Kayak but I feel like it would be a little difficult.  Do you guys prefer spinning set ups for Kayak fishing or does it not really matter? 

[Goose52]

The only problem I have when sitting down while using BC gear is hitting something on the boat during the backcast and getting a monster backlash.  You have to be aware of the angle that you are casting to make sure you don't hit rods, milkcrate, or other gear on the backcast. 

[Fishing Rhino]

You'll get used to it, and do just fine.  I've used both from a canoe, while seated, and had no problems. 

 

You may have to pay some extra attention at first to avoid hitting extra gear on the boat.  It won't be long before it becomes second nature.

[BrettD]

When I kayak fished its all I ever use I really liked using shorter rods around 6' with a pistol grip it makes side arm and akward casting angles easier. A 6' rod is also alot easier to handle in a kayak.

[flipin4bass]

Casting with either a baitcaster or a spinning rod will feel strange at first, but you'll get comfortable with it rather quickly. I've learned how to flip and pitch just last year from a sitting position and I'm having a blast. As far as hitting equipment stored behind you...you'll quickly figure that out too. I recommend looking at how other experienced kayak anglers rig their yaks, they've figured out the best rigging options and can save you time and heartache. I warn you though, kayak fishing is very addicitve, once you've tried it, you may not want to go back to the traditional bass boat.  

[Darren.]

All good replies so far. Fan of shorter rods myself, I've got 6' and 6'6" rods for bait casting. 5'9 and 6'3" spinning.

You get used to it from a sitting position. I still have the occasional oops of hitting a rod behind me. But I can also stand in my yak which makes things a little easier. Spinning is definitely easier for me from a seated position but bait casting is no biggie.

[Fishing Rhino]

If you look at my avatar, there is nothing that interferes with my casting.  there is nothing that sticks up other than me.  The tips of the rods in the holder are all beneath the small deck. 

 

If my extra rods were stowed in the vertical position, they could pose a problem.  I'm confident that it would not take long to learn not to make casts that could snag them were they stored vertically.

[Trackick9707]

I fish from a 17 foot canoe that if you stand up you're probably gonna end up in the water. That being said I switched over to a bait caster last season and it felt a little odd at first but you can adjust to it pretty quickly.  Pitching and flipping are a bit awkward, but i found foot rest that puts me at the same height as my canoe and I've been practicing all winter and it should be second nature out on the water.  I agree with flipin4bass that when you see the water you can get into that big bass boats can't you'll be hooked.

[ClackerBuzz]

no issues here. i initially switched to 6'6"-7' rods but ended up fishing so much clear water (10+ft visibility) that i'm now back up to 7'6" rods for longer casts (they can see you coming a mile away).

 

my rods are behind me in vertical rod holders so they don't interfere with casting.  the BIGGEST problem is not snapping them on tree branches when the wind blows me against shore...or when landing for a bathroom break. i used to try and get in 'one more cast' to delicious looking cover before paddling away from a tree. before i knew it the wind picked up and my rods were bent in half and/or line tangled in branches.  i skip that  'last cast' now and paddle away in a hurry.  trees eat kayak rods

[flipin4bass]

If you look at my avatar, there is nothing that interferes with my casting.  there is nothing that sticks up other than me.  The tips of the rods in the holder are all beneath the small deck. 

 

If my extra rods were stowed in the vertical position, they could pose a problem.  I'm confident that it would not take long to learn not to make casts that could snag them were they stored vertically.

 

Best looking canoe I've seen.

[RyneB]

i use a baitcaster in my kayak and have no problems. I pry only take my kayak out 5 times a year, so i am definately not a professional. The hardest part for me is trying land a decent sized fish, as it pulls me around and into weeds and trees.

[Darren.]

If you look at my avatar, there is nothing that interferes with my casting.  there is nothing that sticks up other than me.  The tips of the rods in the holder are all beneath the small deck. 

 

If my extra rods were stowed in the vertical position, they could pose a problem.  I'm confident that it would not take long to learn not to make casts that could snag them were they stored vertically.

 

Great setup. If I only take out two rods, I'll lay the one I'm not using in front of me. Eliminates the catching issue...

[Hanover_Yakker]

In a kayak, you have to take into consideration that for the most part you are closer to your target casting area, so distance casts are not necessary.  Hence the reason I typically use a roll cast or sidearm cast.  Once you get proficient at it, you'll be able to backhand cast as well as flip and pitch from a seated position.  Dock shooting and skip casts are a breeze as well.  I use spinning, baitcasting, conventional and fly rods all from the seated position.  All of my rods range from 6'3" to 7'2" plus the fly rod is a 10' 7wt.  It can be done, you just need to practice.  If you are predominantly right handed and cast overhead or 3/4, you can always place your crate/rod holder setup turned so that the rods are all aligned on the left and pointed toward the rear of your tankwell.  That will help decrease the likelihood of any rod mishaps.

[flyfisher]

I also fish all types of rods out of my kayak and never had a problem. Keep the area behind your casting shoulder clear and you will be good.

I usually cast seated but having the ability to stand is especially nice for bombing crankbaits a mile or pitching and flipping.

[Jmrichardson2011]

Good tips. I have had the same question while looking at kayaks. I use mostly spinning gear but am starting to use bait casters more and more.

[J Francho]

I use both, but spinning is less comfortable sitting down.  Think about it, a baitcaster sits on the top of the rod.  Less in the way than a spinner.

[clayton86]

iv fished from a canoe for years and never had a issue with either type casting or spinning. This year I'v upgraded to a kayak J Franchos old kayak actually I don't see how you could snag your rods on the cast unless you have em leaning way back. Iv always stood em up behind me in the canoe and I sit what 2 feet at most in front of them same with the kayak there directly behind you unless you use an extremely short rod or you leave the other rods leaning out the back behind you a ways. I stand up even when in the canoe to fish some times i sit but I find it awkward to set the hook sitting down not casting.

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

When I bought my kayak, an emotion kayaks renegade, I was looking for wider kayaks that I could stand in because you can't really pitch and flip sitting down. It's awkward anyway.

What I would strongly suggest is find a kayak that is designed to stand in. Checkout the wilderness systems ride 115. Search for it on YouTube. There are some excellent videos showing its stability while standing.

Otherwise you'll have to get good at roll casting. One tip for this is cast with about a foot of line from rod tip to bait. You're likely to not hit the water or anything else and once you get good you can cast it almost straight in front of you.

[flipin4bass]

When I bought my kayak, an emotion kayaks renegade, I was looking for wider kayaks that I could stand in because you can't really pitch and flip sitting down. It's awkward anyway.

What I would strongly suggest is find a kayak that is designed to stand in. Checkout the wilderness systems ride 115. Search for it on YouTube. There are some excellent videos showing its stability while standing.

Otherwise you'll have to get good at roll casting. One tip for this is cast with about a foot of line from rod tip to bait. You're likely to not hit the water or anything else and once you get good you can cast it almost straight in front of you.

If you are wanting to achieve the distance flipping and pitching that a traditional boat provides then yes, having a kayak that allows you to stand is a must. However, a kayak allows you to get much closer to your prey so distance becomes a non-issue. I once thought that pitching and flipping from a sitting position was impossible until I saw this video. Although this guy could have done a better job of dialing in his reel, he proves that it is possible. I've spent the winter practicing pitching and flipping from a sitting position and am now able to hit a 1'x1' target from 18-20 feet. With a 7' pole, a dialed-in reel and trained thumb, and lots of practice, you'll be flippin and pitchin like a pro from a sitting position.

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

If you are wanting to achieve the distance flipping and pitching that a traditional boat provides then yes, having a kayak that allows you to stand is a must. However, a kayak allows you to get much closer to your prey so distance becomes a non-issue. I once thought that pitching and flipping from a sitting position was impossible until I saw this video. Although this guy could have done a better job of dialing in his reel, he proves that it is possible. I've spent the winter practicing pitching and flipping from a sitting position and am now able to hit a 1'x1' target from 18-20 feet. With a 7' pole, a dialed-in reel and trained thumb, and lots of practice, you'll be flippin and pitchin like a pro from a sitting position.

Yeah you can do it. It's just the angle that you're setting the hook changes and to me feels awkward. Plus it's gets tiresome to sit for hours at a time. But yeah that video was sick. It was weird how shallow they all were.

[alexstep88]

For me, it depends if you are in a sit-in (SINK) or a sit-on(SOT) . I had a heck of a time casting in a SINK, but no problems when I switched to a SOT. I can cast a 7'3" rod no problem sitting down. The only problem I've had is when I started out, I would whack the rods stored behind me every once in a while. I learned to position my yak at a bit of an angle (right handed=point yak to the right of target) so my back-cast would not go that far back. Using a high seat or standing should resolve any other problems that may arise. 

[mtaag3]

If you look at my avatar, there is nothing that interferes with my casting.  there is nothing that sticks up other than me.  The tips of the rods in the holder are all beneath the small deck. 

 

If my extra rods were stowed in the vertical position, they could pose a problem.  I'm confident that it would not take long to learn not to make casts that could snag them were they stored vertically.

 

Is there any way you can show us more pics and give us more details about your canoe? That seems like a real nice set up.

[Darren.]

If you are wanting to achieve the distance flipping and pitching that a traditional boat provides then yes, having a kayak that allows you to stand is a must. However, a kayak allows you to get much closer to your prey so distance becomes a non-issue. I once thought that pitching and flipping from a sitting position was impossible until I saw this video. Although this guy could have done a better job of dialing in his reel, he proves that it is possible. I've spent the winter practicing pitching and flipping from a sitting position and am now able to hit a 1'x1' target from 18-20 feet. With a 7' pole, a dialed-in reel and trained thumb, and lots of practice, you'll be flippin and pitchin like a pro from a sitting position.

 

That's a pretty fun video to watch.

 

I've been out a number of times over the last couple weeks, and caught the majority of bass on my 6'6" Premier + Lexa 100H combo. Now in my Native Ultimate, I've rejigged some things this year, including my seating position. I'm higher up now than ever. Even when seated lower, pitching wasn't too difficult, now it's even better. But I tend to stand and pitch more with no problems (either spinning or BC).

 

I've also reduced the number of rods I'm taking to 2 (unless I *need* more). With my new setup, I can slide stuff under my seat, so I no longer take my crate and store rods vertically. So I worry less about catching a rod behind me now. Made my life a lot easier.

[NEjitterbugger]

Im always fishing from my canoe and I'm new to baitcasting gear... Haven't had a problem with my low profile baitcaster or ambassadeur....