Having A Hard Time Picking An Ideal Kayak Squarebill Rod...

[Jay Ell Gee]

Hey everyone. I want to thank you in advance for reading and contributing to this thread. I am either really over-thinking this or I am just too picky... or maybe both!

I am looking for a relatively short rod to use in the kayak tossing squarebills in river situations. Flowing water or not, I am not wanting a 7+ foot rod to be slinging around. I have a few of those and they present their own issues. The casting distance is great, sure, but I am looking for a rod that I can make pinpoint casts in river floats that I may not get the opportunity to saturate with 8-10 casts. I can always anchor, but you get the point.

I was looking for a baitcasting rod that could ideally cast most of my (very basic) treble lures. Namely, square bills, poppers, small spooks, floating minnows/jerkbaits, etc. I was hoping for 6'10 at the MAX, and was starting to think that MH would be the way to go. I have a few reels that I could swap around, but it looks like the ideal candidate would be one of my new Chronarch 50e's. I don't have a reel with a ratio lower than 6.4 (I hear that the lower ratio's are more ideal) but I have no desire to buy any more reels, as I already have this fine little reel lying around. Capacity may be a little spotty, but I think that I could get enough Yo-Zuri Hybrid or, more than likely, Suffix Elite on it to make it usable. I mainly toss square bills that are the same size as KVD 1.5's, though I am honestly not sure what they weigh. Norman fat boys (awesome colors, check them out if you haven't) and H20 express cranks also get tossed by me a lot.

I'll be tossing at a lot of timber, but keep in mind that the river flow bass around here rarely exceed three pounds. With a MH rod, I am not really worried about having to force a bass out of too much crap, so I feel the mono should be fine. I have not really messed with fluoro before and really have no desire to.

Anyway, to the point. I am looking for as light a rod as I can manage (keep in mind I am paddling, turning/positioning the yak with the paddle, and dropping the anchor (or shallow water pole anchor) quite a bit. I have enough things wearing my arms out, which is another reason that one of the 50's get the nod over my old Citica D series.

I have never owned a Veritas rod but I did see that they make a 6'6 MH/Mod/Fast, but I am not sure how well that would work. I can't say that I am huge on the white rod trend, but it would at least match. I keep reading that most people invest less in their cranking rods than most others, and I really don't want to drop $150+ if I don't have to. I also saw the new Mojo Target Cranker that seems to be a 6'10 Medium. I have mostly Croix rods but can't seem to get my hands on one of these new rods to test it out. Keep in mind that I work at BPS, so any rods carried by them I can apply a discount to.

While we are at it, does anyone else have any line/lb test recommendations for the 50e? The braid/leader idea sounds nice in theory, but tying leaders sitting in the kayak is honestly a pain.

Thanks so much for the time and for your replies!

[GaterB]

*** *** Black rods have been getting a ton of positive reviews here and on other sites. They offer a 6'7" MH that would probably fit the bill (no pun intended)

[Arv]

I have a Powell Endurance 695cb with a Lews Tournament SS spooled with 12# Yo Zuri Hybrid. I love this set up for squarebill and lipless cranks. I can cast 1.5's nicely and if I want I can launch a 1/2 oz lipless crank about a mile and a half. I don't think Powell makes the 695cb anymore but if you can find it somewhere I would recommend it. I think it would fit your needs well.

[Diggy]

*** *** Black rods have been getting a ton of positive reviews here and on other sites. They offer a 6'7" MH that would probably fit the bill (no pun intended)

I was going to rec one of those because the handle is shorter and I notice kayakers seem to like rods with shorter handles 

[Jay Ell Gee]

*** *** Black rods have been getting a ton of positive reviews here and on other sites. They offer a 6'7" MH that would probably fit the bill (no pun intended)

 

I appreciate the suggestion. I have actually used an *** Black before and it seemed awfully "fast" for what it was rated. It was the 7'1 Medium/Fast. I'll have to see if I can get my hands on a short one and see how they taper.

[MarkH024]

St Croix Avid 6'6" M/M

[Quitlimpin]

I fish out of a pontoon style float tube quite a bit and I ran into a similar problem. I finally settled on a Cumara 6'3 H/F. It's not the ideal taper for square bills IMO, but it's dang sure good enough. Plus, it also handles my spinnerbaits and swim jigs quite well.

[Chris at Tech]

St Croix Avid AVC66MF

It's got a good soft tip that's great for treble hook baits but plenty of backbone when it's needed.

[MemphisFF]

I got a 6'8 cranking series Duckett micro magic I use with my 1.5's and spinnerbaits its very light and I love it.. I have it paired up with a chronarch 200e5

[Jay Ell Gee]

Just about every suggestion is over my price range (I mentioned that i was hoping to not spend 150+) but I will definitely check those rods out anyway. I am always up for St. Croix suggestions and I have never really messed with the Duckett rods but I know they are getting popular.

Really wish I could find the new Target Cranker and check it out. St. Croix's rods are usually a bit stronger than advertised so their medium may be alright. Anyone have any experience with this rod?

[MichiganFishing1997]

The rick clunn s-glass rods are two for fifty at dicks. I picked some up and was throwing square bills on them. Awesome deal and a pretty great rod for $25. *usually $90*

[BradH]

Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6' 3" M/MF or 6'10" MH/MF.  Your 50e will be perfect.  A 6.4:1 reel is great for shallow cranks.

 

The 6' and 6'6" BPS Crankin' Sticks have shorter handles.  I use both lengths from my kayak.

[Hanover_Yakker]

I use a Shimano Clarus Crankbait series casting rod paired with a Revo Inshore and was slinging squarebills all weekend. It is 6'8". Lifetime warranty and only $79.

[Jay Ell Gee]

I use a Shimano Clarus Crankbait series casting rod paired with a Revo Inshore and was slinging squarebills all weekend. It is 6'8". Lifetime warranty and only $79.

Awesome. I'll have to check them out! Going to give it a comparison to the Crankin Stick.

[PondBoss]

The rick clunn s-glass rods are two for fifty at dicks. I picked some up and was throwing square bills on them. Awesome deal and a pretty great rod for $25. *usually $90*

Was going to post this as well.  I own the squarebill rod and it's pretty great.  I'd definitely go pick up another especially at that price.....Oh wait, I already did.

[Jay Ell Gee]

It seems like quite a few people like the BPS Crankin' Stick. At my 40% off, I just may have to try one!