St Croix Mojo Yak series rods

[kenmitch]

Looks like an interesting line for those of us that Yak the lakes and rivers. Only downside I see is the launch date is most likely going to be later than my September vacation. I've been looking to upgrade my cheaper spinning combos to do some finesse type fishing but am now probably going to hold off. Maybe I'll just pick up a cheap longer rod to hold me over on my vacation.

 

https://stcroixrods.com/blogs/news/all-yak-all-day

 

 

These look like nice rods too me at least. Any thoughts?

[Vilas15]

Very surprised they are all 7' or 7'6". Though they'd be shorter and have a short butt section. I don't kayak but thought that's what made a good kayak rod. Seems like they just are using it as a trial for putting Winn grips on their rods with not much else changed. 

[DSTN]

I read the handles will be shorter and they appear to be in the photos I've seen. Having too long of a handle or rod when kayak fishing hasn't been an issue for me personally while using rods from 6'-6" to 7'-3.  I can see the potential advantage of the shorter handles though especially for any lures you move with the rod like jerkbaits or spooks.

[kenmitch]

What about the carbon reinforced tips for the high sticking scenarios?

 

Length seems fine too me as it makes it easier when the fish goes from one side to the other of the yak during the fight.

[Big-Bass]

Does anyone know the back handle length?

[Vilas15]

10 hours ago, DSTN said:

I read the handles will be shorter and they appear to be in the photos I've seen. Having too long of a handle or rod when kayak fishing hasn't been an issue for me personally while using rods from 6'-6" to 7'-3.  I can see the potential advantage of the shorter handles though especially for any lures you move with the rod like jerkbaits or spooks.

I only read the press release at first and didn't see in the video they shortened the butts. Should work well. My concern with the length would be trying to net a fish and bring it close, or fishing a small river with overhanging trees. But like you say it's all personal preference. If I kayaked I would definitely try these out.

 

5 hours ago, Big-Bass said:

Does anyone know the back handle length?

Can't help you now but once they show up on the St Croix website there will be a rod handle chart showing lengths.

[WIGuide]

2 hours ago, Vilas15 said:

My concern with the length would be trying to net a fish and bring it close, or fishing a small river with overhanging trees. But like you say it's all personal preference. If I kayaked I would definitely try these out.

 

Personally I don't own a kayak either, but from what I've read, a lot of people that fish from them prefer the longer rod for fighting the fish, because when you're sitting in a yak you have a large portion of the craft sitting in front of you so when you're playing a fish and it decides to go under the bow, the extra length allows you to move your line around the bow without it getting caught on the craft. As for landing a fish, they've reinforced the tips to allow you to high stick a bit more. One thing I've learned about St. Croix, they don't bring something to market on a whim, or because it's trendy, they do their research and make sure whatever they do is done right. 

[flyfisher]

seems like more marketing BS to me but we will see once i get my hands on one.  I have yet to find a rod that doesn't work for me in my kayak and that includes 9' long fly rods.  o like that they are on the SC III blanks and at a decent price.

[Dens228]

I fish 5-6 days a week from a kayak.......my shortest rod is 7 foot.  I have three Mojo Bass, all 7 foot.  I have no problems with the handle length.  

[Choporoz]

I'm intrigued, if not excited.  As @WIGuidesaid, they generally bring quality to market.  I don't much care how long a rod is, but I do care quite a bit about handle length. (I do tend to favor 7'+ rods generally, but that isn't impacted by whether I'm fishing from a kayak.) I've looked at Manley's rods quite a bit, just for that reason; although, I haven't pulled the trigger on one.   When I'm shopping for a new rod, I absolutely base a part of my decision on handle length.  My favorite jig rod in a boat (DX 744C F/H) isn't in my top two kayak jig rods, purely because of the butt length.

[TBAG]

I see these are in stock at several online retailers. Has anyone tried one yet? I'm shopping for a new 7' ML spinning rod for Ned rigs. Now I'm maybe reconsidering my Dobyns 702 purchase to try one of these. I'll be using it for only kayak fishing. Wonder if it's worth the $40 over the Dobyns?

[kenmitch]

5 minutes ago, TBAG said:

I see these are in stock at several online retailers. Has anyone tried one yet? I'm shopping for a new 7' ML spinning rod for Ned rigs. Now I'm maybe reconsidering my Dobyns 702 purchase to try one of these. I'll be using it for only kayak fishing. Wonder if it's worth the $40 over the Dobyns?

I think they're just hitting the market now. I'm interested also as I want to upgrade one of my casting rods and it looks like a possible candidate. Maybe some reviews will pop up soon?

[Brad in Texas]

I suppose I am on record already on this topic but I greatly prefer short rods for my kayak and canoe fishing. My favorite? A St. Croix 5'6" spinning rod, Medium power, fast tip. My second favorite is a St. Croix 6' MH spinning rod.

 

Really, the former is little more than a pistol grip; but, I am so much more accurate in my casting while seated, more accurate, too, standing where I often pitch out finesse presentations. And, pulling up to a boathouse and working underneath? It is much easier. Kayaking through and around heavy cover, hitting little openings between lily pads? Easier. If you ever try a short rod, my guess is you'll love it and stick with it. I do occasionally carry out a 7 footer if I am in more open water, certain conditions, say, like chasing schoolers and needing to make longer casts.

 

And, a shorter rod has much more functional power so I can actually control landing the fish easier. I rarely have an issue with a bass zooming around the front of my bow, can't even recall one running to my stern. They do often make a final push just as they are pulled near the gunwale, but they tend to go under my vessel and, again, shorter is better. Part of this relates to proper spinning rod usage: letting the rod tire the fish out, do the work, often while it is still a bit away from being landed. By the time they are ready to be landed, they are often worn down a bit.

 

Finally, most of us just don't make long casts from kayaks so rod length advantages there are less required.

 

I have a new "kayak" rod supposedly on its way, Cashion Rods is the maker, and I got it as an extra after ordering a new kayak. I'll report on it when it comes!

 

Brad

 

 

[TBAG]

12 minutes ago, Brad in Texas said:

I suppose I am on record already on this topic but I greatly prefer short rods for my kayak and canoe fishing. My favorite? A St. Croix 5'6" spinning rod, Medium power, fast tip. My second favorite is a St. Croix 6' MH spinning rod.

 

Really, the former is little more than a pistol grip; but, I am so much more accurate in my casting while seated, more accurate, too, standing where I often pitch out finesse presentations. And, pulling up to a boathouse and working underneath? It is much easier. Kayaking through and around heavy cover, hitting little openings between lily pads? Easier. If you ever try a short rod, my guess is you'll love it and stick with it. I do occasionally carry out a 7 footer if I am in more open water, certain conditions, say, like chasing schoolers and needing to make longer casts.

 

And, a shorter rod has much more functional power so I can actually control landing the fish easier. I rarely have an issue with a bass zooming around the front of my bow, can't even recall one running to my stern. They do often make a final push just as they are pulled near the gunwale, but they tend to go under my vessel and, again, shorter is better. Part of this relates to proper spinning rod usage: letting the rod tire the fish out, do the work, often while it is still a bit away from being landed. By the time they are ready to be landed, they are often worn down a bit.

 

Finally, most of us just don't make long casts from kayaks so rod length advantages there are less required.

 

I have a new "kayak" rod supposedly on its way, Cashion Rods is the maker, and I got it as an extra after ordering a new kayak. I'll report on it when it comes!

 

Brad

 

 

I'm also considering a Cashion kayak crankbait rod, let us know how you like it.

[fishwizzard]

I prefer shorter kayak rods as well, with most of my kayak aresnal being 6’ to 6’6”, with more of them being on the shorter end. They are just easier to handle onboard and I will gladly trade casting distance for leverage. I still don't have a short frog/cover rod, so I will bring a 7’6” rod along went I need it.  I caught a nice big pickerel on it the last time I was out and that extra foot and a half of rod really made boating him more difficult.  

 

I have had fish (mostly schoolie stripers) run under my bow, but my yak is only 10’ long, so a 6’ rod still works fine.   

[J Francho]

On 7/16/2018 at 9:56 AM, Dens228 said:

I fish 5-6 days a week from a kayak.......my shortest rod is 7 foot.  I have three Mojo Bass, all 7 foot.  I have no problems with the handle length.  

Yeah, I don't quite get it either.  I have two rods shorter than 7' - a spinnerbait rod and a topwater rod.  I guess I don't see what the fuss over the rear grip is either.  Are people fishing with the rod out in front of them?  I tuck the butt end under my arm, ready to used for leverage when I get bit.  The same I'd be holding if I were on shore, or in a boat.  You can see how this works at the 4:00 mark below.  Maybe someone has pics showing the difference between shortened grip and normal grip, and how they hold it? 

 

 

 

Also, I'm not sure the word "yak" is what I'd be marketing.  Sounds like they're selling barf.  I love my SC rods - have at least 30 of them - but these miss the mark in my book.

[fishwizzard]

29 minutes ago, J Francho said:

 I tuck the butt end under my arm, ready to used for leverage when I get bit.  The same I'd be holding if I were on shore, or in a boat.  You can see how this works at the 4:00 mark below.  Maybe someone has pics showing the difference between shortened grip and normal grip, and how they hold it? 

For most everything bottom contact I keep the rod tip out at like 45d and the reel very very close in, with my wrists almost touching my stomach and side.  When I am standing the rod butt is also almost touching my side.  When seated I still do this but the PFD makes me keep the reel further out then I am used to and a long butt gets snagged on my loose sunshirt or my drysuit.  I also hold spinning reels with my entire hand in front of the reel stem, so a short butt matters way more for them.  

 

I more or less learned to fish in on my own via internet videos, so I might just be a weirdo.  

[J Francho]

Why is your rod poking into your belly?  This sounds so uncomfortable.  Tuck that rod under your arm, for leverage when setting the hook.

[kenmitch]

2 hours ago, J Francho said:

Why is your rod poking into your belly?  This sounds so uncomfortable.  Tuck that rod under your arm, for leverage when setting the hook.

Don't make fun of his belly.

 

I'm looking more at the reinforced tip aspect of them. Had more than one stronger fish make runs when trying to grag or net them.

[fishwizzard]

6 hours ago, J Francho said:

Why is your rod poking into your belly?  This sounds so uncomfortable.  Tuck that rod under your arm, for leverage when setting the hook.

It is tucked under my arm, which is why the butt snags my clothing/drysuit.  I keep the reel so tight in that I don't need much rod butt to clamp down on, too much gets in the way and grabs bulky/loose clothing, especially when sitting.  I also make side arm casts a lot and prefer a short butt for that. 

 

 

 

[Cheri]

Saw this rod the other night, but don't see reviews yet. Has anyone made the purchase?

[islandbass]

I like the idea. The handle could actually come in handy when pier fishing in the puget sound. Sound butt ends of my rods are long that I will accidentally bang them on the pier railing during the retrieve. I don't like that as it hinders my retrieve and cadence.

 

My only "concern" would be with the winn grip.  Don't get me wrong. I love winn gripps and have them on my golf clubs. I do know that they don't last forever, maybe 3-4 seasons and after that, it would be time to replace them.  Not a complaint but an observation.  I wouldn't want to have to replace my winn gripp after only 3-4 seasons because I am not a rod builder.  Does anyone know if St. Croix has a plan or designed the grips to be easily replaced as a golf club grip? I have cork handles on rods pushing 8-9 years and older that I still use that are still in excellent shape.

 

Unless the replacement it relatively doable without too much trouble, this might be a show stopper.

[Brad in Texas]

My wife snapped a photo of me holding out a St. Croix 5'6", M power, fast tip rod. This will show everyone there is no "tucking it under your arm" opportunity. The handle just extends back a few inches beyond my wrist when I am holding it with 2 fingers forward and back of the reel post.

 

From a kayak, I use this almost exclusively to pitch drop shots short distances, 10 lbs. braid to an 8 lbs. leader. I rarely flip them out more than 50 feet. When I glide up to docks, I often use a side hand fling to get it well back and underneath.

 

So, like most spinning reels, I use the drag setting to allow a fish to flex my rod. My hand and wrist never "buckle" or feel like they are over-tasked as the drag limits the exposure. I suppose it could be an issue for some . . . not having the butt end held fast by the underside of the forearm (what I do on larger rods) or under an arm.

 

This is my "never leave home without it" rod. The accuracy is off the charts, the M power more than adequate for most situations.

 

Brad

 

 

[islandbass]

2 minutes ago, Brad in Texas said:

My wife snapped a photo of me holding out a St. Croix 5'6", M power, fast tip rod. This will show everyone there is no "tucking it under your arm" opportunity. The handle just extends back a few inches beyond my wrist when I am holding it with 2 fingers forward and back of the reel post.

 

From a kayak, I use this almost exclusively to pitch drop shots short distances, 10 lbs. braid to an 8 lbs. leader. I rarely flip them out more than 50 feet. When I glide up to docks, I often use a side hand fling to get it well back and underneath.

 

So, like most spinning reels, I use the drag setting to allow a fish to flex my rod. My hand and wrist never "buckle" or feel like they are over-tasked as the drag limits the exposure. I suppose it could be an issue for some . . . not having the butt end held fast by the underside of the forearm (what I do on larger rods) or under an arm.

 

This is my "never leave home without it" rod. The accuracy is off the charts, the M power more than adequate for most situations.

 

Brad

 

 

That is really short! Reminds of how short those "pistol grip" rods were.  Gosh, it must feel like you're wielding a light saber. 

[haggard]

I love yak fishing and StC rods but haven't seen anything about this one that says it's a must-have compared to 6'6-7'0 Premiere or Mojo Bass rods. Enlighten me.