Rod Length for Flipping/Pitching rod (for kayak use)

[Boomstick]

Hey guys,

 

I currently have the Daiwa Tatula 7'1" H/F but since I will have access to some pretty good cover I don't have regular access to now that I own my own kayak I was thinking of getting a slightly longer rod for flipping/pitching. Or would I be better off sticking with the 7'1" as I'm fishing from a kayak? I know I can definitely compensate by moving my position, but I can definitely pitch further on a longer rod so that lets me cover more ground without having to move but I am sure some of you guys who are much more experienced on a kayak than I am will have some good input.

[Hammer 4]

Are you able to stand on your yak.? If so, then whatever length rod you like, go with that. Just make sure to get the right power rating for the cover you will be fishing..

[Boomstick]

2 minutes ago, Hammer 4 said:

Are you able to stand on your yak.? If so, then whatever length rod you like, go with that. Just make sure to get the right power rating for the cover you will be fishing..

Yes I can stand on my yak. I figured it wouldn't matter much in that case, but I hear people like shorter rods sometimes too.

 

I think the H/F would be the way to go, then I can fish the heavy cover with it. I do use my MH/F in open water a lot too, but a lot of times I will also cast and drag a jig on the bottom in open water if I'm not skipping docks.

[Hammer 4]

8 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

Yes I can stand on my yak. I figured it wouldn't matter much in that case, but I hear people like shorter rods sometimes too.

 

I think the H/F would be the way to go, then I can fish the heavy cover with it. I do use my MH/F in open water a lot too, but a lot of times I will also cast and drag a jig on the bottom in open water if I'm not skipping docks.

Go with what You feel comfy with, what other people do is of no consequence. I use to fish a 8' xh swimbait rig from my float tube, chucking 5 oz baits. People thought I was crazy..lol 

[MN Fisher]

4 minutes ago, Hammer 4 said:

Go with what You feel comfy with, what other people do is of no consequence. I use to fish a 8' xh swimbait rig from my float tube, chucking 5 oz baits.

x2 - I'm happy with a 7' H/F rod for my pitching...others like shorter or longer.

 

5 minutes ago, Hammer 4 said:

People though I was crazy..lol 

That has nothing to do with this topic.

[Tracker22]

I just changed from a 7’ to a 7’6” and I like it better.

[michaelb]

I think I prefer shorter rods for my kayak (I only have kayak rods, so I don't have any "long" rods). The main reason for that is that it can be helpful to able to reach all the way to the tip while still holding the reel, in case you need to clear a loop of line or a weed, etc. This only matters if and when you are sitting (when standing, it is easy to lower the end to the ground and reach the tip); with my 7" rod, I miss this reach by a few inches, and/or have to work hard to reach; at 6' 6" I can easily reach to the tip. The other reason is that shorter rods stick up less, so less likely to catch on overhanging branches, and stick out in the back less. This may not really matter and few inches isn't a big difference. But I have one light 5' 6" rod and I like how that takes up basically no space when stored in back.

 

Generally, on the kayak, you don't have to cast far, so any gain from a longer rod really may not matter much. But that is your preference. I agree with the others that if you can mostly stand you should use what you like. The rod handle length matters too, since you will be wearing a life jacket, and it can be easier to maneuver a rod around in front of you if the handle length is reasonable and not too long. 

[Ogandrews]

I fish from a sit in kayak because I’m cheap and won’t buy a new one, and I have no issue using the same length rods as I would on a boat. For flipping I’ve used 7’6” -7’11” and never felt awkward, you just have to get used to longer rods. I very regularly use 9’-9’6” musky rods out of my kayak and it still feels normal, you just have to get the feel of fishing out of a yak.

[Brad Reid]

The rod I never leave home without taking along when I fish from my kayak? A St. Croix PS56MF spinning rod. At 5'6", it is just so handy from a kayak for all sorts of finesse applications. I usually take along another rod or two, rarely need to reach for them.

 

My essential theory is that we rarely need to make casts of any length from a kayak so I just sidle up or glide to a position stealthily and work the area. It's our great advantage over bass boats.

 

Of the two techniques, I pitch and a short rod with enough line out to sort of grab the bait can be slung with great accuracy. And, a short rod has a shorter lifting point, better leverage, so when you get a big bass on the hook the rod handles them very well.

 

But, I get it, the drive and the attraction to lengthy rods. I just feel like anyone who'd ever try a 5'6" rod for kayak fishing will likely add it to their arsenal. Whether it becomes their "go to" or not, I'm less sure.

 

Brad

 

 

[Hammer 4]

Just in case..JFYI, there is no casting involved in Flipping, and just short cast's when pitching, so distance really doesn't come into play.

[FishTank]

When I fish from my kayak, I like to use a one of two rods when I am flipping jigs.....  St. Croix Avid MH Fast or a G. Loomis 844C.  I also like to roll cast lighter jigs with a  G. Loomis 803C GLX 6'8'' X-Fast.  

 

I have tried longer rods but they seemed awkward. 

[Boomstick]

Alright, I'm grabbing the Tatula 7'6" Flipping rod. I would get the 8', but I should be able to fit 7'6" in my rod rack and maybe in the Flambeau Bazuka Pro rod tube in the back of my truck. I do a lot better with at least 7'6" for flipping and pitching. If I'm dragging a jig, the 7'1" is perfect so I'll take that in clear water.

[Born 2 fish]

21 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

Alright, I'm grabbing the Tatula 7'6" Flipping rod. I would get the 8', but I should be able to fit 7'6" in my rod rack and maybe in the Flambeau Bazuka Pro rod tube in the back of my truck. I do a lot better with at least 7'6" for flipping and pitching. If I'm dragging a jig, the 7'1" is perfect so I'll take that in clear water.

The 7’6 tatula flipping rod is awesome I have the original and love it I also drag jigs with a tatula 7’2 heavy also original. 

[Ogandrews]

Don’t mean to hijack this thread but I’m looking at getting a new heavy flipping rod as well. The two I have been looking at the most have been the dobyns Sierra 766 flip or a Shimano zodias 7’8” extra heavy. I would love to get an expride but I can’t find one anywhere online that is in stock, also thought about getting a champion xp 766c but it’s hard to get myself to spend over 200 on a bass rod when I’d rather buy another musky setup. Does anyone have experience with any of these rods? Will be using them for punching and heavier duty flipping/pitching. For punching I had been using a 7’10” h st croix swimbait rod rated up to 4oz with a tranx 300 on it and although it definitely got the fish out of the cover with ease, it is way too much for the application. I own a lot of dobyns rods and love them but I have also liked every Shimano rod I have owned so I’m up for either.

[Hammer 4]

Take a look at the Irod Genesis II rods. Really are built and fish at  much higher price than the $ 149.99 price tag. Customer service is Outstanding too. Just look at the reviews on TW. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I do pitch casts with every rod I use. Length isn’t a factor in that regard. For flipping a longer rod increase your reach. Usually 7’6” plus. 

[Tizi]

I use a Tatula XT 7’6” Heavy.  Works great for pitching and flipping from a kayak.

[Boomstick]

21 hours ago, Hammer 4 said:

Take a look at the Irod Genesis II rods. Really are built and fish at  much higher price than the $ 149.99 price tag. Customer service is Outstanding too. Just look at the reviews on TW. 

I have constantly heard great things about the Irod Geneis rods, but I will admit I am a Tatula junkie.

[Hammer 4]

14 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

I have constantly heard great things about the Irod Geneis rods, but I will admit I am a Tatula junkie.

I own both brands..Being the Irod is a tad more spendy, I buy them when I have the extra $$$..

[Boomstick]

22 hours ago, Ogandrews said:

Don’t mean to hijack this thread but I’m looking at getting a new heavy flipping rod as well. The two I have been looking at the most have been the dobyns Sierra 766 flip or a Shimano zodias 7’8” extra heavy. I would love to get an expride but I can’t find one anywhere online that is in stock, also thought about getting a champion xp 766c but it’s hard to get myself to spend over 200 on a bass rod when I’d rather buy another musky setup. Does anyone have experience with any of these rods? Will be using them for punching and heavier duty flipping/pitching. For punching I had been using a 7’10” h st croix swimbait rod rated up to 4oz with a tranx 300 on it and although it definitely got the fish out of the cover with ease, it is way too much for the application. I own a lot of dobyns rods and love them but I have also liked every Shimano rod I have owned so I’m up for either.

I don't have any direct experience with either of those rods, but I have some experience with the Dobyns Sierra 703C and 704C and they are solid rods. Due to my rather limited experience with the Zodias lineup, I would gather that extra heavy might be a bit overkill especially if the extra heavy follows the same trend as the medium heavy -- not that they're bad rods.

4 minutes ago, Hammer 4 said:

I own both brands..Being the Irod is a tad more spendy, I buy them when I have the extra $$$..

I got my Tatula for $120, but they retail around the same.

[Hammer 4]

1 minute ago, Boomstick said:

I don't have any direct experience with either of those rods, but I have some experience with the Dobyns Sierra 703C and 704C and they are solid rods. Due to my rather limited experience with the Zodias lineup, I would gather that extra heavy might be a little bit overkill as well if the extra heavy follows the same trend as the medium heavy -- not that they're bad rods.

I got my Tatula for $120, but they retail around the same.

 

Opps, I thought you were talking about the XT rods...

[Ogandrews]

21 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

I don't have any direct experience with either of those rods, but I have some experience with the Dobyns Sierra 703C and 704C and they are solid rods. Due to my rather limited experience with the Zodias lineup, I would gather that extra heavy might be a bit overkill especially if the extra heavy follows the same trend as the medium heavy -- not that they're bad rods.

I got my Tatula for $120, but they retail around the same.

I own 6 dobyns rods I think and I like every one I own. I have used their 735c for punching some and it worked alright but didn’t have enough horsepower for my liking, probably would rather have a longer 6 power. Pretty much any rod I’ve used besides that finesse musky rod has seemed too soft for my liking, but that could just be me being picky.

[Boomstick]

20 hours ago, Ogandrews said:

I own 6 dobyns rods I think and I like every one I own. I have used their 735c for punching some and it worked alright but didn’t have enough horsepower for my liking, probably would rather have a longer 6 power. Pretty much any rod I’ve used besides that finesse musky rod has seemed too soft for my liking, but that could just be me being picky.

You must like them real stiff. Up in the northeast, we don't have the thickest weeds and I can get away with a lighter rod than down south. I find that a heavy jig rods rated for 12-25# generally make the best jig rods. I have been using the 7'1" Tatula which is a fairly stout rod (casts a mile though), and that was my frog and jig rod last year until I added Tatula frog rod earlier this year knowing I was would be sitting in my favorite spot in my kayak with lily pads in front of me and milfoil on my sides wanting to have both rigged.

[flyfisher]

I pitch a lot from my kayak but never flip.  I use anything from 7' to 7'4" but that has zero to do with me being in a kayak.  I haven' had any issue with a rod because I am in a kayak and i fish everything from my shortest rod which is 6'6" to fly rods that are 9'.  

[Ogandrews]

1 hour ago, Boomstick said:

You must like them real stiff. Up in the northeast, we don't have the thickest weeds and I can get away with a lighter rod than down south. I find that a heavy jig rods rated for 12-25# generally make the best jig rods. I have been using the 7'1" Tatula which is a fairly stout rod (casts a mile though), and that was my frog and jig rod last year until I added Tatula frog rod earlier this year knowing I was would be sitting in my favorite spot in my kayak with lily pads in front of me and milfoil on my sides wanting to have both rigged.

Most likely won’t be using it for jigs besides maybe some 1-1/2 oz punching jigs, mostly want it for punching matted weeds and flipping pads. The lakes I fish mostly in Minnesota get insane weeds in the summer and they are hard to fish with anything besides a frog or a real punching setup. I like really heavy setups for fishing like this generally, I just don’t like leaving anything to chance.