Any bass fishing use for 8'6" salmon rod?

[thinkingredneck]

I have 5 Salmon/Steelhead rods that measure 8'6". 3 BC, two spinning.  Trying to determine if there would be a good use in a kayak or from shore.  Suggestions?  

[Angry John]

Float and fly

[islandbass]

As someone who lives where salmonids are king, I’d say there’s Only one way to find out for a kayak. Try it out.

 

From the shore, certainly. But I will tell you this... the added length of the rod, while it enhances casting distance for the same effort, can work against you weight wise (over time, fatigue might factor in) for applications dealing with working a lure such as jigging or working a jerk bait. I know because I’ve worked such lures with rods at least that long and at times for hours.  If you’re planning to float fish, no problem. 

 

Can’t imagine many dedicated bass anglers would be able to provide much knowledge there, lol. 

[Bass fishing is best]

If you already have them why not give them a shot and find out for yourself.

 

I have an 8'6 light action Fenwick HMX for live bait fishing.  I do 99% of my fishing using artificial lures but when I do use live bait it's from shore and little to no added weight.  I can flick bait effortlessly.  I find it more of an advantage getting different angles around obstacles rather than increased casting distance.  What are your rods ratings? 

 

I certainly wouldn't suggest them for kayaking.  IME the longer the pole, the harder to land from a kayak.  I try not to bring anything longer than a '6'6 in my kayak, that's just me though.

[thinkingredneck]

I used them surf fishing in the gulf, and they worked great for spoons.  The heavy rod seems too heavy for bass. I may have to limit them to surf or catfish.  Unfortunately,  that would mean I would almost never use them.  I have never tried float and fly.  I bought these when I lived in the Pacific Northwest.

[new2BC4bass]

OP, isn't your username a good example of an oxymoron?    Sorry.  Couldn't resist.  I am a hick from the sticks of Pennsylvania. 

 

Similar to fatmaple I have a 9' glass Fenwick that was primarily used for live bait...nightwalkers, crayfish and small leeches.  I did use it 40 plus years ago on occasion to throw small Roostertails and Beetle Spins.  I used 4# at that time and had to put a 10# leader on the rod because it would snap off the lures on the cast with the 4# mono.

[thinkingredneck]

Yeah, New2bc4bass, I don't know if I am the thinking man's redneck, or the redneck's thinking man...

[MickD]

I have two Rainshadow RX8 blanks built into one spinning and one casting rod explicitly for casting for king salmon as they enter Pere Marquette Lake in MI, and have used the heck out of them.  If using spoons I use the casting rod, and it casts a Little Cleo a mile, wonderful rod and not fatiguing.  If using Deep Thunderstick Jr's, I use the spinning rod, and it does very well, also not fatiguing.  I think that the weight of the rods may be an issue.  With the RX8 blanks, these rods are not that heavy, so not fatiguing.  I expect if these rods were glass, they would be fatiguing to use for long periods.