What length rod for kayak fishing?

[bitsandbass]

What size do the kayak guys prefer?  Thanks. 

[lmbfisherman]

This is all preference but in general the max rod length I use will be 7'.  On a rare occasion will I use something longer from a kayak. 

[wet_dream]

44 minutes ago, lmbfisherman said:

This is all preference but in general the max rod length I use will be 7'.  On a rare occasion will I use something longer from a kayak. 

 

I agree with this, as longer rods will become cumbersome especially when attempting to land a fish. More importantly, I prefer rods with shorter handles from the reel seat to the butt. Makes it easier to maneuver the rod with out it getting caught in your PFD or to prevent it from jamming into your stomach/chest.

[Turkey sandwich]

The longest spinning and casting rods I own are 7'1 (I believe) and I have no real trouble fishing any of them from the kayak.  I'm also 5'11, if height means anything.  I have no been so bold as to try fly fishing out of mine yet, though, that'll likely happen this summer.  

[lmbfisherman]

10 minutes ago, Turkey sandwich said:

The longest spinning and casting rods I own are 7'1 (I believe) and I have no real trouble fishing any of them from the kayak.  I'm also 5'11, if height means anything.  I have no been so bold as to try fly fishing out of mine yet, though, that'll likely happen this summer.  

If you're standing the length probably won't affect you, but I fish mostly sitting in my kayak.  If I stand it is to stretch or sight fish.

[Turkey sandwich]

I see the value in having a shorter rod and sometimes wish I had more in the 6'-6'6 range around, but not enough buy kayak specific rods for things.  I sat mostly through last year.  After back surgery, this year I'm finally feeling a lot more comfortable standing more.

[kickerfish1]

I don't own a yak but my buddy has two Hobbies. I got to fish out of one with the foot controlled mirage drive system a few weeks ago. I made the mistake of bringing some longer rods because of the frog bite going on. I had a 7 foot and 7'4 rod with me. I would say without a doubt 7 foot is about the max length. I would prefer something between 6 to 6'6 if I was to fish out of one on a regular basis.

[bitsandbass]

Cool thanks. I was thinking like a 4'6" rod may be best but I would rather not get another rod. 6'6" is what I'm sticking too. Thanks guys. 

[NHBull]

In my area, sitters use 6'6" and sanders use 7'

[HeavyTwenty]

I regularly fish with 7'4" rods but I have a medium handle net to help land larger bass fish. 7' or less probably would be more optimal if you want kayak focused gear, but I liked the feel of the 7'4" so much that I bought another...

[Darren.]

6 hours ago, bitsandbass said:

What size do the kayak guys prefer?  Thanks. 

 

So many different opinions/answers to your question.

 

My sweet spot for rod length in my kayak is 5'9". Yeah,

I like shorter rods, especially for spinning as I am so 

much more accurate with them.

 

I'll go as long as 6'6", but rarely anymore. I'm even in

the midst of pondering taking my 6' ML St. Croix Premier

to a local rod guy for shortening to 5'9". I do so like that

length paired with Shimano Stradic 1000 reels.

 

To each his/her own, as you can see from the replies.

So the bottom line is fish what you are comfortable with.

[flyfisher]

Whatever size you want to use.  I haven't found an instance where rod length has been a hinderance for me with the lone exception being some of the smaller creeks/rivers I fish where overhanging trees can snag a rod or two.  

 

I have used anything from 6' up to 9' fly rods with no issues.

[Montanaro]

Non issue

 

Use whatever you like.  I use a 7'6" a good bit

[jbw252]

I prefer using my 6' to 6'6" length rods in my Hobie Revo.  I do agree with @wet_dream, that rods with shorter handles make yak fishing a little more manageable at times.

[clayton86]

I use everything from a 6' casting rod for top water walk the dog baits to my 9' 7wt fly rod in my kayak. Most mine range from 6'9" to 7'6" the only time I find a real issue with the longer rods is when I'm floating narrow creeks with low overhanging branches or bridges I tend to keep them on the deck of my ATAK rather then in the holders sticking up getting caught on everything. 

[CenCal fisher]

I use rods ranging from 7' to 8'. Rod length isn't really an issue 

[DogBone_384]

I fish from an Ascend 128T and Lure 11.5.  I use 6' 10" to 7' for 99% of my fishing.

[Jimmyb819]

I fish with 6'6"s and 7's sitting. I don't have much trouble landing fish but any time my cranks get tangled near the tip it sure is annoying. For me, I think 6'-6'6" is the sweet spot.

[Deleted account]

Rod length=(Yak length+ Yak beam)/2.2

 

[Darren.]

15 minutes ago, Jimmyb819 said:

I fish with 6'6"s and 7's sitting. I don't have much trouble landing fish but any time my cranks get tangled near the tip it sure is annoying. For me, I think 6'-6'6" is the sweet spot.

 

Welcome aboard, Jimmy!

 

I like your thinking  

[DogBone_384]

56 minutes ago, reason said:

Rod length=(Yak length+ Yak beam)/2.2

 

 

I just did the math for my Lure 11.5.  Funny, it came out to just about 6' 10".

[The Bassman]

23 hours ago, Darren. said:

 

So many different opinions/answers to your question.

 

My sweet spot for rod length in my kayak is 5'9". Yeah,

I like shorter rods, especially for spinning as I am so 

much more accurate with them.

 

I'll go as long as 6'6", but rarely anymore. I'm even in

the midst of pondering taking my 6' ML St. Croix Premier

to a local rod guy for shortening to 5'9". I do so like that

length paired with Shimano Stradic 1000 reels.

 

To each his/her own, as you can see from the replies.

So the bottom line is fish what you are comfortable with.

 

I really miss the pre 1990's when it was so easy to find 6' and under rods. They work better for me, too as my fishing is done on foot around small waters and streams. 

[Angry John]

I love a 66-70 rod in a yak.  The shorter lengths on rivers is better where lake fishing it does not seem to matter.  This is also the same as the style of the fishing done on these types of waters.  You may enjoy a pistol grip rod if your working under trees and around a lot of lower to the water cover.

[Darren.]

1 minute ago, The Bassman said:

 

I really miss the pre 1990's when it was so easy to find 6' and under rods. They work better for me, too as my fishing is done on foot around small waters and streams. 

 

My favorite under 6 rod is a 5'9" Shimano Compre, cork

handle, circa 2009, I think. Has fantastic action, super

accurate... Now that I have a Premier 6' ML, I've been 

using it and the Compre a lot, which is why I've been toying

with having the Premier cut down to 5'9". Would make it a

great all-around rod IMO.

[fishwizzard]

I like mine as short as I can get away with, so just long enough to get a fish around the bow.  Which in my 10' yak means about 6' ish.  

 

Short butts are essential though, the old Fenwick Elitetech Smallmouth rods are perfect kayak rods if you can find them.