Baitcaster And Kayaks

[Zeeso]

Im purchasing my first kayak in a couple weeks. I have a question regarding the use of baitcaster when fishing from kayaks.

Basically anytime im watching videos or researching anything about kayak fishing. I'd say the overwhelming majority of people are using spinning rods and reels. Is this the preferred approach? I pretty much only use baitcasters, its just a preference, I have no problem using spinning rods but only have 2 and they are not that good. Is using a baitcaster on a kayak troublesome? Hard to handle? Just looking for any input, thanks in advance!

[Jrob78]

I pretty much only use baitcasters on my kayak.  There aren't any reasons to use spinning gear over baitcasters, in my experience.

[camovan]

I fish from a yak and carry 5 bait casters and 2 spinning. I use the appropriate rig for the presentation, the vessel makes no difference. That said, casting while sitting that close to the water takes a little practice, it is not hard but the angles are different and it takes a little bit to get used to it, once you get it though it becomes second nature like anything else but again the type of reel makes no difference.

[ABW]

You may want to get a kayak that has a rod holder... Makes unhooking the fish a lot easier with your hands free.

 

 

This guy has one in his video :

[Rudy1922]

I fish from a yak and carry 5 bait casters and 2 spinning. I use the appropriate rig for the presentation, the vessel makes no difference. That said, casting while sitting that close to the water takes a little practice, it is not hard but the angles are different and it takes a little bit to get used to it, once you get it though it becomes second nature like anything else but again the type of reel makes no difference.

You're right about casting and sitting close to the water. I have to adjust the brakes on my bait casters when I use my kayak. I have a rod holder on my kayak but I always forget to use it when I land a fish. I only use it to hold the fishing rod while I paddle. Here's a video I made using a bait caster on my Cuda 12 with some crappy music.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcT_GDk4KIg

[Ima Bass Ninja]

Only baitcasters from the kayak here. Only get 2 rods when I go fishing and both are BC. No problems with using them just takes practice as some have said.

[tntitans21399]

Spinning reels are just most popular then the baitcasters and that's the only reason you see more of them. The baitcasters vs spin is a different topic but its just what you like. You can go out with baitcasters in your kayak.

[Bass NC]

I carry baitcasters and one spinning reel in my kayak. The spinning reel holds my finese plastics and the baitcasters handle just about everything else. Good luck and happy kayak fishing!

[B@ssCrzy]

Use mostly baitcasters myself.  Will occasionally use spinning reels, but not very often. 

[NEjitterbugger]

Im purchasing my first kayak in a couple weeks. I have a question regarding the use of baitcaster when fishing from kayaks.

Basically anytime im watching videos or researching anything about kayak fishing. I'd say the overwhelming majority of people are using spinning rods and reels. Is this the preferred approach? I pretty much only use baitcasters, its just a preference, I have no problem using spinning rods but only have 2 and they are not that good. Is using a baitcaster on a kayak troublesome? Hard to handle? Just looking for any input, thanks in advance!

 

I think that a lot of kayak fisherman are finnesse anglers therefore spinning gear, not all though. I do almost all my fishing in my canoe and throw a baitcaster 90%+ of the time...

[jsc4324]

I fish exclusively out of a yak and only fish baitcasters. I don't even own a spinning reel. It's all personal preference.

[Fishingmickey]

Different rods for different purposes, Spinning for throwing light crank baits and smallish topwaters, finesse and drop shotting. Baitcasting for just about everything else. I usually carry six rods on my yak. Four baitcasting and two spinning. Two of the big baitcasters are 7' rods with larger reels 17# & 20# test, The other two baitcasters are 6.5' rods with 14# and the two spinning are 10# & 8#.

Regards,

FM

[KenG85]

I agree with all the above. I use 90% baitcasting and only switch to spinning as the technique or conditions call for it. You're roll cast may need to be adjusted slightly

[flyfisher]

I think it is funny all the stereotypes mentioned here..... kayakers are mostly finesse guys,most kayakers use spinning rods.....You can use whatever rods and reels you want.  I use fly rods, BC and spinning rods all with no issues.

[KenG85]

I think it is funny all the stereotypes mentioned here..... kayakers are mostly finesse guys,most kayakers use spinning rods.....You can use whatever rods and reels you want.  I use fly rods, BC and spinning rods all with no issues.

 

I agree. I dont see what kayak fishing has to do with finesse fishing. 

I flip and pitch with a 7'3 XH rod as well as throw crankbaits in the thickest timber.

However, on a blue bird sky, post front I may also shakey head or drop shot.

 

In other words, you just fish.

[Darren.]

Agree with fly and KenG, just go out and fish with whatever is comfortable to you.

 

I use both BC and spinning gear, almost always have at least one of each, sometimes more whenever I go out. Other times I take only spinning, sometimes I take only BC.

 

I will say that a trained thumb will help immensely with BC in a kayak. Fortunately I can stand in mine, and I also sit very high in my yak, so BC is no issue most of the time. Occasionally I'll cast too low, as I did the other day with a crank, which grabbed the water behind me as I was casting resulting in a lovely backlash.

 

You certainly do not have to use a BC. It is just a tool, which I happen to really like a lot

[flyfisher]

Yeah i have grabbed the water before too....and since i picked up a cranking rod i have flexed it on the back cast enough to hit the paddle blade resting across my lap too....not fun lol

[J Francho]

I prefer a casting rod when sitting. A spinning reel gets in the way.

[Master Bait'r]

I normally use one of each from my sit-in and zero problems with either style.  Cast with confidence, you'll be fine.  

[Zeeso]

Thanks for the input! I wasn't looking to start a bc for spinning rod debate it just struck me as odd that that was mostly what I saw on the yaks. Thought baitcasters might be difficult to handle or something while sitting in a kayak. I shall take both. Will be purchasing next weekend, im pretty pumped. My days of trying to hike through the forest to get to my hot spots will soon be at an end. I hope the bucketmouths are prepared for the wrath im about to bring down upon them!

[RipSomeLips]

I fish from my kayak pretty much the same I do from the bank. I find myself making a lot of side casts with my baitcaster.