Kayak Fishing Rods/reels

[GaterB]

Just wondering what a lot of kayak anglers prefer to take with them on the yak. I just got a WS Ride 135, and want to know how other guys set up their fishing combos. I want to know not so much brands, but more so the lengths and actions of the rods, and the gear ratios of the reels. Thanks!

[FloridaBassDude]

Length doesn't bother me much, many will say shorter rods to prevent hitting them, but just be careful and you will get used to it. As far as how many, as many as you want really. I can store 7 rods if I want, but I generally only bring 3-4. Usually 3.

[Jrob78]

I use the same rods I would use any other time.  I don't see too much benefit to shorter than normal rods.  I've got a Ride 135 also.  I use a Black Pak with 5 rod holders.  I don't normally carry more than 4 rods though.  I just try to plan ahead and use my best judgement as to which rods to bring.

[0119]

I prefer rods with shorter rear butt grips.  From the sitting position, they get in the way a bit.  I also found working a casting reel is easier than a spinning from that position. 

[Arv]

Nothing changes that much for me as my rods are pretty much all about 6'6 - 7 to begin with

[Hanover_Yakker]

I have used everything from a 4'6" U/L to a 7'11" swimbait rod and my 10' fly rod.  It all depends upon your physical stature (arm length/torso length) combined with seating position in the kayak in order for you to be able to reach the bow of your kayak with your rod and snake the line around the bow to avoid a fish gaining leverage on you during the fight and snapping the line.

 

My normal setup is 3-4 rods for regular outings, but for a tournament I will bring 6-8 depending on the techniques employed.  A tournament I was in this past weekend was on a body of water I had never been on, so I rigged up my 7 favorite techniques.  For bodies of water that you frequent or that have distinct and known patterns, your gear will be greatly reduced.

 

In a Ride 135, you should be able to stand with some level of comfort, so technique specific rods aren't necessarily a factor.  Another tactic folks fail to employ in a kayak is that of kneeling in your footwell/seating area.  This affords you the opportunity to maintain control and balance of yourself and the kayak while still being able to fish.  In some cases, using a technique you otherwise did not feel comfortable doing while sitting like topwater, roll casting, skipping, etc.

 

Get some seat time and try your favorite techniques - then you will be able to hone in on what to carry with you.  At first, keep it simple (2-3 rods, a tray of lures, a couple bags of plastics and a small tray of terminal tackle), then expand if need be.

[Master Bait'r]

Bah, I don't think the boat should dictate what length rod you're using, MAYBE the other way around since some techniques in a sit-in may be more of an issue than a sit on top, etc..  The Ride 135 is sick and should be plenty stable to stand on though, so just be careful and you'll be fine IMO.  I even fish from a sit-in and have no issues whatsoever.  I wouldn't worry at all if I were you.  

[MacP]

I fish tailwater trout out of my kayak.  I usually take 3 rods from 5'6 to 6'6.   Crankbait, Fluke/spoon, Spinner.

[dave]

http://www.overboardfishingrods.com/floating-fishing-rods/

[J Francho]

I use the same rods I use from shore or on a boat. I will say spinning rods with long rear handles are a pain, unless you are standing. I've heard some say that you need a longer rod, in case the fish runs to the opposite side, so you can get the rod around the bow or stern, but I've found that if the fish is big enough to do that, you can use the fish to turn the kayak. That's actually an advantage of kayak fishing for bigger fish - the vessel becomes part of the "drag system" in that you can lock down on a fish, and let it drag you, provided the fish doesn't out class the rod, reel, and line strength. Here I am getting dragged around by a low teens northern pike:
 

[Darren.]

Longest I have fished in my kayak is 6'6" (not including when I target bream where I'll sometimes take long poles w/o reels up to 12' in length).

 

Preference is to fish shorter rods. Favorite length is 5'9", but I go to 6'3" (which was used to catch the 6.6lber in my avatar last week).

 

Lately I've been carrying 3 rods. 2 baitcasters and 1 spinning setup.

 

Sometimes I'll take 1 rod, normally 2, but when I try new stuff, I take 3 or 4. Over three rods, though, tends to get messy and frustrating in my yak, so I try to take a "less-is-more" approach.

 

I'm a shorter guy, and I fish out of a 12' boat. You learn to adjust when the fish make runs from one side around to the other. A longer rod is not necessarily an advantage there. It's all in how YOU make it work.

 

2 cents...

[Darren.]

http://www.overboardfishingrods.com/floating-fishing-rods/

 

Those look great, Dave. Do you use these? And if so, how do they compare to rods like St. Croix, etc.

[dave]

I have not used them but,  I have handled them and they feel really nice.  I have a customer that has used them and ended up having a custom made.   When you first see the big grips,  you don't think light but,  when you pick them up,  they really surprise you.

[Darren.]

I have not used them but,  I have handled them and they feel really nice.  I have a customer that has used them and ended up having a custom made.   When you first see the big grips,  you don't think light but,  when you pick them up,  they really surprise you.

 

Thanks. When I'm in the market for a new rod, I may take a long hard look at these. Will probably have to order straight from the maker as the links they supply either don't show any, or have only 2 models.

[.ghoti.]

I'm the novice yakker in this discussion. Bought my yak last year. Made about a dozen trips last year, and half that this year, so take my comments with a grain of salt.

I only take two rods, and minimal tackle. And, I don't have rods specifically for yak fishing. I take what I think will be the correct choices for that day.

[dave]

Thanks. When I'm in the market for a new rod, I may take a long hard look at these. Will probably have to order straight from the maker as the links they supply either don't show any, or have only 2 models.

If you have the time to take a trip up the coast to Annapolis MD,  there is shop with good selection.

[flyfisher]

Fishing from my kayak hasn't dictated any of my rod length purchases.

 

I think the majority of people's concerns are more with rod storage and not hitting them while casting or fighting fish.

 

It is just one of those things you get used to.  In my commander i usually have 3-4 rods layed out in front of me with tips up on the front support.  I also have two ram mounts that i can have pretty much parallel to the top of the boat which keeps them out of the way as well.  THis has worked for me from 6' conventinal up to 9' fly tackle.

[Frenchman83]

I take 3-5. 3 are confidence lures and 1-2 are general purpose or top water.

[MacP]

to answer OP question further(now that I'm away from my iphone)

 

I use a 5'6 light spinning reel setup for throwing in-line spinners.

I use a 6'0 medium light spinning setup for throwing shallow crank baits.  Mostly flat raps, husky jerks, shallow shadraps, 1.5s and bandits and them some squarebills.

I use a 6'6 medium for throwing swimbaits and weighted flukes with swimbait heads or underspins.

 

All use 6 or 8lb fluoro.  As I said before, I fish tailwaters and rivers for trout in my kayak.  Everything else is out of my boat. 

 

If I had to add anything else I'd add another 6'-6'6" medium for throwing jerkbaits exclusively. 

[GaterB]

Thanks everybody!  I just went out for the first time today. First off, I LOVE kayak bassin!! Secondly, my 135 is basically stock as far as rod storage. I took four combos, with two behind me in the bungees and two underneath me up front. Worked decently well and the rods were either 6'7 or 7'. I will definitely want to install some rod holders soon, but until then I'm just enjoying the benefits of finally getting off the bank! Caught 10 on a lake I've never had more than two in a trip.

 

You guys definitely helped me feel confident in not needing to shorten up my arsenal, and now having been out on the water, I'm amazed at how well fishing kayaks are engineered. Never thought I'd be able to stand and catch fish on a kayak. Amazing.

[birdseyelespaul]

I would say that my rod/reel selection wouldn't be any different than in a regular boat. Obviously you have limited space so rod holders are a must. I usually fish with three combos. All rods are 6'6" or over 7'. As for tackle, I basically set up two speed bags and only take along the tackle that I feel is necessary for the conditions. I have one bag with cranks, jigs, spinners and one with terminal tackle and worms. I love fishing from my kayak. I've also noticed that fishing a lipless crankbait is amplified in a kayak. What I mean by that is you can actually feel and hear your crankbait's rattles under the water and vibrating through your kayak. I can actually hear the fish strike. Its really cool!

[awefvawervwae]

I use the same setups from the yak as I do in the bass boat. Some people like haveing the butt section shorter but I have never had a problem. I also use the black pack to help store my stuff.