Help Me Pick My Last Rod???

[The Kangler]

Ok, it probably isn't going to be my last rod.  However I am a kayak fisherman and I really want to limit the rods I take to 6.  Any more just gets to be too much to juggle.  Here is what I have now:

 

Casting:

St. Croix Avid X 7'4" HF

St. Croix Avid X 6'8" MXF

Megabass Orochi XX EMTF 7'5" MHF

Cashion 7'MMF Cranking rod

 

Spinning:

St. Croix Avid X 6'8" MXF (Wish I had of gotten MLXF.  Anyone want to trade?:)

 

So Im thinking of adding something around 7'-7'2" in MH and moderate-fast for spinnerbaits and medium cranks.  But I want to make sure i have the versatility I need to cover anything during tournaments.  Given what I already have, would you suggest something else?   Im trying to stay in the $150-$220 range.

Thanks!

[fishnkamp]

Let me ask a question first. How do you like fishing those rods over 7 foot long while fishing from a kayak?  Most kayak anglers like rods 7  foot or less.  Anyway, have you ever thought about a rod like an Irod IRG693CC “Stone Cold Square Bill”.  If you are interested give Irod a call. They are all about customer service and were a big help when I was looking at a trap and crank rod.

I purchased an Irod Genesis II IRG703CC  and love it.  If you are stuck on a 7 foot rod I would also suggest that Riprap Special like mine.

The 693CC is like the little brother to my 703cc.

IRG693CC “Stone Cold Square Bill”

IRG693CC “Stone Cold Square Bill”

IRG693CC “Stone Cold Square Bill”

[NHBull]

I have a H e6x CBR that is rated for an ounce that I used for most cranks and spinning baits.

i get a lot out of it and happy I got it......and they can be had for around 179.00

 

that said my friends in kayaks don't carry 7 footers

[HookRz]

that 6'9" Avid X might be the ticket. I have both and they fill separate niches. Besides you seem to like rods with an X in their name.

 

Edit. I didn't see the end of your post about wanting another cranker. I always think of the kayak advantage as being stealth, and thought you needed a true finesse rod. 

[The Kangler]

Thanks for the advice so far.  I will check out the Irod and the e6x.   I guess I'm really trying to decide on wether to get a MF or F action.  Has anyone tried the Kistler KLX 6'9" MHMF crank rod?  I figure it would be good for spinners, lipless, and medium cranks. Any others?

[Yudo1]

I have the 7' KLX MH/MF crank, rip, twitch and it is perfect for what you need.

[The Kangler]

I really like the look of the Kistler.  DO you think I will notice much going with the 6'9" vs the 7' besides a little casting distance?

[Stingray23]

The 6'9 will be more manageable for you from the kayak. My cousin bought 3 KLX rods this past winter for this season and I like them very much. He has the 6'9" MH/MF, 7' MH/MF, and the 7'3" Hvy/ MF Frog rod. He uses the 6'9" for jerkbaits, topwater, shallow cranks......The 7' version, he uses it for spinnerbaits, lipless cranks, shallow cranks,......

[The Kangler]

Do think the MF action tip on the 6'9" will be enough to set the hook on 1/2oz spinners?

[Stingray23]

I think so. It comes down to preference. Some people like a stiffer, faster tip. I personally, do not. I prefer the moderate-fast tip, especially on a MH, moving bait rod.

[The Kangler]

Great Thanks stingray!   So to help me narrow down my 6th and final rod, do you guys mind looking at my rod arsenal and what lures I plan to use on each rod and tell me if Im doing anything that won't work so well?   I have only been fishing for a couple of years and am a bit green.   I know I know, I have some pretty nice gear for a newbie.  I was lucky enough to win a $2000 Bass Pro gift card at work and I went on a bit of a shopping spree  I can see how people end up with so much fishing gear.  SO ADDICTIVE!!!   Here are my plans so far.  My goal is to get a set up that will last me for years, and be versatile enough to compete in tournaments after a few years more practice.  Here is how Im pairing things up.

 

1.  St Croix Avid X 7'4" HF - For frogs, pitching, flipping, punching, and the occasional swimbait

2.  St Croix Avid X 6/8" MXF - Topwater, tubes, weightless plastics

3.  Megabass Orochi XX EMTF 7'5" MHF - I plan to use this a workhorse for - C-Rig, Light T-rig, Football jigs, Swim Jigs, and Big          Cranks

4. Cashion 7'MMF Cranking rod - small to medium crankbaits, slow fishing small jerkbaits

5  St Croix Avid X Spinning 6'8" MXF - Senko, Wacky, dropshot, weightless plastics

6. This is the one I need help with.  Im debating on a MHF or a MHMF for larger spinners, lipless cranks, medium to deep cranks,       and squarebills.  I realize this may be too much to ask of one rod, but I am limited to 6 and want as much versatility as possible.  

   

So far I really like the Kistler KLX 6'9", but the warranty just isn't on par with my Avids.  Since Im kayak fishing, its not a matter of if but when I will damage a rod, so a great warranty is very appealing.  Can anyone compare the differences of the Avid blanks, the Kistler KLX blanks and the G.Loomis e6x blanks?   Avid and Mojo bass use the same blank material as I understand, and if Im only going to get a 5 year warranty, I may just go with the Mojo 7'MHMF, unless the Kistler is much better.  I also like the looks of the Megabass Levante Spinnerbait but I worry it wont do as well on cranks and squarebills, and Ive heard they aren't nearly as sensitive as the Orochi XX line.   I would prefer a bit shorter than 7', but versatility is more important than length for me.  Thanks guys for all your help.  There is so much to learn!

 

[smalljaw67]

I highly recommend a Hammer rod in a 6'9" or 7' MH, they have a moderate fast action but aren't soft like some others. I have a 6'9" Heavy power that I got for big topwaters like super spooks and the like but it has become the best spinnerbait/chatterbait rod I ever used hands down. It has the sensitivity of a bottom contact rod with the forgiveness of a reation bait rod yet has a stout enough tip section to drive home large diameter single hooks. I never would have thought a rod with that action could be used for moving baits as well as bottom contact but the Hammer rod is that versatile. I even use my rod to throw stick worms under overhanging trees and boat docks and for fishing on a Kayak it would be perfect. The MH power would be similar to a Kistler light MH as the Hammer fishes about a half power lighter than the rating, so a MH is rated 3/16oz to 3/4oz, you can use it for spinnerbaits and chatterbaits along wiuth being great for square bills yet still have the ability to fish worms and jigs should the need arise.

[fishnkamp]

Lets throw another rod to consider. In my arsenal I fish with one of the Irods I suggested earlier.  I also fish with one Falcon Bucoo Micro rod. It is a rod called the Trap Caster.  Falcon calls it a 7 foot MH MF and suggests using it for cranks,traps, and even larger spinnerbaits.  It is a workhorse for me. Here is their listing.

 

BMC-7MHTrap Caster  MHMF  12-20 lb  1/4 to 3/4 oz  7’ split handle   Suggested baits:   Buzz baits, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits all fish well with this rod. Try pulling larger crankbaits or making long casts with 1/2 oz. spinnerbaits with this one.

 

I fish everything from a wake bait or a baby 1 minus to Bomber Model 7A and spinnerbaits up to 5/8 ounces ( 1/2  oz with a swimbait trailer),  I also am confident it can throw a chatterbait since it can throw a buzzbait and spinnerbait.

This might be what you are looking for.

[The Kangler]

Wow guys.  Thanks so much for the advice.  I feel like I'm narrowing this down now.   I am very intrigued by both the falcon and the hammer.   Can anyone compare the blanks of the Falcon Bucco, and the Hammer, and the falcon Cara?   How would any of them compare to my Avids for instance?   All of them fall in my price range, so I would prefer the most sensitive one in case I need to fish the bottom.  

[The Kangler]

Was it something I said? LOL