Yak rod selection

[Oledog]

I am thinking about purchasing a new casting rod . I am looking at a 6'10" the mojo 2 piece mhf . Wondering if the handle would be to long ? ( I believe it's 13" 1/2")  

[Hawkeye21]

4 minutes ago, Oledog said:

I am thinking about purchasing a new casting rod . I am looking at a 6'10" the mojo 2 piece mhf . Wondering if the handle would be to long ? ( I believe it's 13" 1/2")  

It's going to be personal preference.  I know some people that buy rods with shorter handles that like them and I know guys that don't like them.  All of my rods are normal length and there are times that the handle can get caught on my life jacket but I like the leverage I get with that length of handle.

 

All you can do is try out different lengths and see what you like the best.

[Oledog]

Thanks for reply.  I know with spinning rods in past I never even gave the handle length a second thought . With having been said I am definitely the St. Croix. 

[Darren.]

10 minutes ago, Hawkeye21 said:

It's going to be personal preference.  I know some people that buy rods with shorter handles that like them and I know guys that don't like them.  All of my rods are normal length and there are times that the handle can get caught on my life jacket but I like the leverage I get with that length of handle.

 

All you can do is try out different lengths and see what you like the best.

Agree. Personal pref.

 

I've got long rod ends, and short ones. Still hit the life jacket

from time to time, LOL.

 

I did shorten a couple rod ends by about 3" each. Changes the

rod dynamics a little.

[Oledog]

I was thinking about possibly getting the rod and shortening the handle also . The think about it though the less I like the idea . More it will suite me fine as it is .

[Brad Reid]

In the little pic below, I'm holding a nice bass, 3.67 lbs., and if you look carefully my little rod is lying flat, so short it is hardly visible. It's a 5' 6" St. Croix spinning rod and I had no other with me that afternoon.

 

Well, another favorite is my 5'6" casting rod, also a St. Croix with a pistol grip. Though the rod is short, it allows the whole arm to swing so I suppose in a manner of speaking it adds the length of my arm to the casting lever length. It is a different casting motion from a 7 footer with a long butt end, that is for sure. And, it casts surprisingly far.

 

Watch the video of Hank Parker using a short casting rod in some of his TV shows/ videos. He catches a lot of bass, and big bass with them, too. I think he caught a 7+ pounder on his TV program not long ago.

 

One last point. Since we can float up so close to our intended targets, most of us hardly ever make "Tarzan" long casts out of kayaks anyway. I love not having a long butt end of a rod stuck in my tummy.

 

Brad

 

  

 

 

[Choporoz]

I've seriously considered the mojo yak rods, but haven't pulled the trigger on one yet.

 

First, the precise handle length you mentioned doesn't mean much unless you are using a site like TW that does a standard measure criteria for rods from different manufacturers.  If you look at three different sources, you might see three different handle lengths for the same rod. 

 

Second, I hate to do this to you but @Hawkeye21 is correct.  You may need to try different handles to find what works for you.  For me, it really depends.  In general, I prefer shorter handles in my yak.  But, it turns out that it really only makes a huge difference for me with spinning rods.  Long butts on spinning rods makes for really uncomfortable forearms and wrists, particularly when dropshotting or shaky heading.  On baitcasters, it completely depends on what I'm throwing....target roll casting with too long a handle, I get some issues with PFD.  Long casting chatterbaits or cranks with less concern for dead-on accuracy, I have no issues with longer handles.  

[Oledog]

5 minutes ago, Brad Reid said:

In the little pic below, I'm holding a nice bass, 3.67 lbs., and if you look carefully my little rod is lying flat, so short it is hardly visible. It's a 5' 6" St. Croix spinning rod and I had no other with me that afternoon.

 

Well, another favorite is my 5'6" casting rod, also a St. Croix with a pistol grip. Though the rod is short, it allows the whole arm to swing so I suppose in a manner of speaking it adds the length of my arm to the casting lever length. It is a different casting motion from a 7 footer with a long butt end, that is for sure. And, it casts surprisingly far.

 

Watch the video of Hank Parker using a short casting rod in some of his TV shows/ videos. He catches a lot of bass, and big bass with them, too. I think he caught a 7+ pounder on his TV program not long ago.

 

One last point. Since we can float up so close to our intended targets, most of us hardly ever make "Tarzan" long casts out of kayaks anyway. I love not having a long butt end of a rod stuck in my tummy.

 

Brad

 

  

 

 

Brad thanks for the reply.  Nice fish you have there too . I fish out in the ocean on occasion , that was one of the reasons I have been thinking of something a bit longer with back bone . Love taking the Nantucket sleigh ride when that happens I hold the rod into my belly and go along for the ride. Other times I fish a reservoir not far from where I live.

 

[Oledog]

2 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

I've seriously considered the mojo yak rods, but haven't pulled the trigger on one yet.

 

First, the precise handle length you mentioned doesn't mean much unless you are using a site like TW that does a standard measure criteria for rods from different manufacturers.  If you look at three different sources, you might see three different handle lengths for the same rod. 

 

Second, I hate to do this to you but @Hawkeye21 is correct.  You may need to try different handles to find what works for you.  For me, it really depends.  In general, I prefer shorter handles in my yak.  But, it turns out that it really only makes a huge difference for me with spinning rods.  Long butts on spinning rods makes for really uncomfortable forearms and wrists, particularly when dropshotting or shaky heading.  On baitcasters, it completely depends on what I'm throwing....target roll casting with too long a handle, I get some issues with PFD.  Long casting chatterbaits or cranks with less concern for dead-on accuracy, I have no issues with longer handles.  

I think you just hit the nail on the head.  I have a spinning rod with a long handle that I use for chucking bait and 1oz chatter baits predominantly in the ocean for stripers.  My shoulder kills me after about twenty minutes.

  I don't think I have too worry I about the life best to much . I wear an  inflatable on the yak.

[Tizi]

I have been using older rods for kayak fishing, seems like they all are under 6'6".  In addition, some of the rods I have been purchasing lately are in the 6'10" range.  They work just fine out of the kayak.  I have had no problems with longer rods over 7' either.  I try to stay at 7' or under though.

[Smalls]

This is gonna vary on a lot of things. Your kayak, your PFD, your physical shape, etc. 

 

I have a kayak with a pretty open layout, I’m a fairly thin guy, and I wear an inflatable PFD, long handles don’t get in my way. Someone who has a different set up may absolutely hate my rods on a kayak. 

 

Take whatever rods you’ve got, and test em out. Take a buddies rods. Or a stick, whatever. It’s all trial and error. 

[YoTone]

I dont mind longer sticks for certain techniques on my kayak.  when i need the rod tip to be down, like walking baits yes shorter rods help from hitting the water. when im tossing chatterbaits or buzzbaits where my rod tip is fairly high, longer sticks dont bother me.

[waymont]

When I Kayak fished I cut down the handle of my 2 piece 6'6" 1/4-3/4oz St Croix Premier casting rod about 2" and it was perfect. I had a pro finish off the butt end really nice. The handle was always getting in my way.

It is a great Kayak rod

[Oledog]

15 minutes ago, waymont said:

When I Kayak fished I cut down the handle of my 2 piece 6'6" 1/4-3/4oz St Croix Premier casting rod about 2" and it was perfect. I had a pro finish off the butt end really nice. The handle was always getting in my way.

It is a great Kayak rod

I have been considering doing the same thing. I am ordering a 6'8" 2 piece St Croix later today.  First I will try it out on the yak.

Than if I find handle the handle to long I'll bring it to local rod builder and have modify if for me .

[MIbassyaker]

I find St. Croix rods generally have pretty suitable handle lengths for kayak fishing as is.  The handles on the St. Croix models I have (Rage, Avid X, & Premier) tend to be slightly shorter than those on other, similar rods I have in other models, by other companies.  I often wonder if this is a factor behind the frequent complaint, heard around here and elsewhere, that st. croix tends to be "tip heavy".

 

Actually, i have the same model Premier mentioned above (the 6'6' 2-piece MF), and haven't had any issues with the handle getting in my way.  So your mileage may vary, and probably not possible to know whether it will need to be shortened before trying it out.

 

 

[Oledog]

3 hours ago, MIbassyaker said:

I find St. Croix rods generally have pretty suitable handle lengths for kayak fishing as is.  The handles on the St. Croix models I have (Rage, Avid X, & Premier) tend to be slightly shorter than those on other, similar rods I have in other models, by other companies.  I often wonder if this is a factor behind the frequent complaint, heard around here and elsewhere, that st. croix tends to be "tip heavy".

 

Actually, i have the same model Premier mentioned above (the 6'6' 2-piece MF), and haven't had any issues with the handle getting in my way.  So your mileage may vary, and probably not possible to know whether it will need to be shortened before trying it out.

 

 

Thanks.  I can't wait get mine and get on the water.

[Allen Der]

7 hours ago, MIbassyaker said:

I find St. Croix rods generally have pretty suitable handle lengths for kayak fishing as is.  The handles on the St. Croix models I have (Rage, Avid X, & Premier) tend to be slightly shorter than those on other, similar rods I have in other models, by other companies.  I often wonder if this is a factor behind the frequent complaint, heard around here and elsewhere, that st. croix tends to be "tip heavy".

 

Actually, i have the same model Premier mentioned above (the 6'6' 2-piece MF), and haven't had any issues with the handle getting in my way.  So your mileage may vary, and probably not possible to know whether it will need to be shortened before trying it out.

 

 

I agree.  I use rage and premier rods on the kayak.  The rage casting rods are my favorite.  Not a huge fan of the rage spinning reel seats though