T-Rig rod for kayak fishing.

[Gera]

Hi! 

I'm looking for a new rod for T-rigs and other bottom contact applications. Currently, option number one is the Megabass Orochi Tour Versatile and while I Understand that that is not the best Orochi for the application, the Baralist is just to long at 7'5" for a kayak setup. Question is, what other Rod would you consider on the ~$300 range and max 7' length?

 

If only GLoomis had black Friday deals

[Choporoz]

Kistler Helium 7' MHF.  $319 on sale now.....a little over....but you did say 'range'...:)

[Gera]

6 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

Kistler Helium 7' MHF.  $319 on sale now.....a little over....but you did say 'range'...:)

 

On sale where??? that looks reasonable. 

[Fishingmickey]

6 minutes ago, Gera said:

 

On sale where??? that looks reasonable. 

Direct from Kistler, I have several Helium's. They are great rods.

 

[Gera]

Thanks, I will definitely consider them!! 

 

Now that I'm bending my own $300 rule, what are your impressions on Loomis IMX rods in terms of sensibility?

 

[Fishingmickey]

5 hours ago, Gera said:

Thanks, I will definitely consider them!! 

 

Now that I'm bending my own $300 rule, what are your impressions on Loomis IMX rods in terms of sensibility?

 

I'm assuming you mean sensitivity... I think the Helium is more sensitive then the IMX Pro. 

FM

[Derek1]

Falcon has some nice rods in the expert and Cara lines in the 6’-10 6-11 range. 

[Dens228]

11 hours ago, Gera said:

Hi! 

I'm looking for a new rod for T-rigs and other bottom contact applications. Currently, option number one is the Megabass Orochi Tour Versatile and while I Understand that that is not the best Orochi for the application, the Baralist is just to long at 7'5" for a kayak setup. Question is, what other Rod would you consider on the ~$300 range and max 7' length?

 

If only GLoomis had black Friday deals

I use the Versatile for t-rigs, and I fish out of a kayak 99.9% of the time.  I think it's the perfect rod for it.  I do use a Braillist for jigs too.  

[rtwvumtneer6]

4 hours ago, Derek1 said:

Falcon has some nice rods in the expert and Cara lines in the 6’-10 6-11 range. 

^^^Dragger I, Head Turner & Eye Crosser (Christie's frog rod)

[Bluebasser86]

I use a 7' 5" rod in my kayak for T rigs pretty often, as well as a 7' 11" for swimbaits. The shortest T rig rod I use from my kayak is a 7', most are 7' 3" or longer. 

[Gera]

14 hours ago, Fishingmickey said:

I'm assuming you mean sensitivity... I think the Helium is more sensitive then the IMX Pro. 

FM

 

I guess I need what I write before posting! I didn't even notice.. well I have hear so many good comments on the Heliums that at this price I'll have to check them out. 

 

9 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I use a 7' 5" rod in my kayak for T rigs pretty often, as well as a 7' 11" for swimbaits. The shortest T rig rod I use from my kayak is a 7', most are 7' 3" or longer. 

 

I have been using a 7'4" and while I do ok, but when I use the 7" Medium I just feel that is easier mainly when landing a fish. At first I didn't think that 4" made a diferencie, but at the end it does. 

 

10 hours ago, Dens228 said:

I use the Versatile for t-rigs, and I fish out of a kayak 99.9% of the time.  I think it's the perfect rod for it.  I do use a Braillist for jigs too.  

 

I got hot headed yesterday and bought the Versatile, hopefully I can use it for both applications (jigs and t-rigs) cause I like to carry only 4 rods on the kayak, one spinning, a heavy for frogs and punching, the t-rig and jigs and a medium for treble hooks. I'll need to find a spot for that Kistler 

[Dens228]

13 minutes ago, Gera said:

 

I guess I need what I write before posting! I didn't even notice.. well I have hear so many good comments on the Heliums that at this price I'll have to check them out. 

 

 

I have been using a 7'4" and while I do ok, but when I use the 7" Medium I just feel that is easier mainly when landing a fish. At first I didn't think that 4" made a diferencie, but at the end it does. 

 

 

I got hot headed yesterday and bought the Versatile, hopefully I can use it for both applications (jigs and t-rigs) cause I like to carry only 4 rods on the kayak, one spinning, a heavy for frogs and punching, the t-rig and jigs and a medium for treble hooks. I'll need to find a spot for that Kistler 

I don't think you'll be disappointed.  If I was forced to use one for both it would be the Versatile. 

[Scott804]

18 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I use a 7' 5" rod in my kayak for T rigs pretty often, as well as a 7' 11" for swimbaits. The shortest T rig rod I use from my kayak is a 7', most are 7' 3" or longer. 

Same here. I am a pretty lanky and tall guy and I still haven't had any length issues when it comes to kayak fishing. Not sure why a lot of kayak anglers are so insistent on short rods. Might be because I use a massive net too though. 

[CrashVector]

When I'm contact fishing from a kayak with either neds, senkos, or shaky heads, 75% of the time it's on a spinning setup.  

Abu Garcia veritas PLX rod in 7' medium/fast.

 

Creature baits and lures like a sweet beaver, I use a casting rod...an Abu Garcia Veritas TE in 7', medium heavy/fast.

 

I want the most sensitivity I can for these applications, and both of these rods punch well above their price points.

 

Neither of these ever lets me down as far as sensitivity goes, and you could get both for your budget.

[Smalls]

20 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I use a 7' 5" rod in my kayak for T rigs pretty often, as well as a 7' 11" for swimbaits. The shortest T rig rod I use from my kayak is a 7', most are 7' 3" or longer. 

I really don't understand the perception that longer rods are problematic on kayaks. If anything, longer rods are more advantageous on a kayak

[CrashVector]

1 hour ago, Smalls said:

I really don't understand the perception that longer rods are problematic on kayaks. If anything, longer rods are more advantageous on a kayak

 

I don't get that either.

 

Closer to the water, a longer rod allows for more accuracy and distance.

 

Only drawback is under low hanging branches.

[FishTank]

I have several rods I use from time to time on my kayak from a G. Loomis NRX to a Quantum KVD rod so I am all over the place on which rod I like best for kayak fishing.  

 

My favorite so far is a G. Loomis 783C GLX but the best all purpose rod that I actually use the most is a St. Croix Mojo Yak 7' M Fast.  It's a good balance of what I want in a kayak rod.  It does take some getting use to though> the sensitivity is average at best, the construction is tough and durable, the rod loads better than most so casting is fantastic, shorter butt is helpful on hook sets, and the Wynn grips I like for a kayak.  Overall, I have caught a ton of fish with this rod and if need be I would buy another.  

 

Also, it has been my experience that I don't like longer rods (over 7') when kayak fishing.  It makes it harder to work around the confined space.  For example, one of my favorite set ups this year is an NRX 873C Carolina Rig rod and a Chronarch MGL but not on the kayak.  The 7'3'' length and the longer rear handle is a hinderance to getting fish in the boat and sometimes hooks sets.  Fishing in small spaces with tight casting windows are easier to deal with when you have the right rod and reel. 

 

 

[Gera]

11 hours ago, CrashVector said:

 

I don't get that either.

 

Closer to the water, a longer rod allows for more accuracy and distance.

 

Only drawback is under low hanging branches.

Well, everybody has different perception on rods and not only on a kayak, but yes to me getting fish the boat is the issue. I lost a few (including a this season's PB) trying to get it close to the net with my current setup. I started looking for a good rod not for this issue but to get an upgrade on sensitivity and once at it reduce length by a few inches. 

9 hours ago, FishTank said:

I have several rods I use from time to time on my kayak from a G. Loomis NRX to a Quantum KVD rod so I am all over the place on which rod I like best for kayak fishing.  

 

My favorite so far is a G. Loomis 783C GLX but the best all purpose rod that I actually use the most is a St. Croix Mojo Yak 7' M Fast.  It's a good balance of what I want in a kayak rod.  It does take some getting use to though> the sensitivity is average at best, the construction is tough and durable, the rod loads better than most so casting is fantastic, shorter butt is helpful on hook sets, and the Wynn grips I like for a kayak.  Overall, I have caught a ton of fish with this rod and if need be I would buy another.  

 

Also, it has been my experience that I don't like longer rods (over 7') when kayak fishing.  It makes it harder to work around the confined space.  For example, one of my favorite set ups this year is an NRX 873C Carolina Rig rod and a Chronarch MGL but not on the kayak.  The 7'3'' length and the longer rear handle is a hinderance to getting fish in the boat and sometimes hooks sets.  Fishing in small spaces with tight casting windows are easier to deal with when you have the right rod and reel. 

 

 

 

I been curios about those St Croix mojo yak rods.  I been trying to check one out but finding gear in my area is so complicated, even bass pro shop stands are empty. I don't know but if everywhere is the same but here in SE Michigan is hard to get a pack of senkos (Ok maybe not sekos) in the color you want. I guess the world wide distribution network disruptions have affected us quite badly. 

[FishTank]

25 minutes ago, Gera said:

I been curios about those St Croix mojo yak rods.  I been trying to check one out but finding gear in my area is so complicated, even bass pro shop stands are empty. I don't know but if everywhere is the same but here in SE Michigan is hard to get a pack of senkos (Ok maybe not sekos) in the color you want. I guess the world wide distribution network disruptions have affected us quite badly. 

 

BPS, Tackle Warehouse,  DSG, and even Amazon have them in stock.  You could order one and see if it fits.  It's sort of a niche rod so I would imagine they could be found a little more easily than others. 

 

I don't know how far south you are but there is a tackle shop called the Angler that is in northern Indiana.   He usually has a good supply of rods.

[Alex from GA]

When I fish from a kayak it's almost always on moving water and I use a 5'6" spinning rod for worm fishing.  I'm always casting under overhanging vegetation.  11-10-2021 N GA.

[Smalls]

On 11/10/2021 at 7:19 PM, CrashVector said:

 

Only drawback is under low hanging branches.

A 7'5 rod is going to get caught on the same trees a 7' rod is going to, 99% of the time. 

[Boomstick]

If you like the Megabass Orochi, why not go with the Diablo Spec-R? IMO the difference in length is close enough to 7', unless you preferred under 7'

[Matt Hoo]

I also prefer rod the are 7’ or less. I kayak fish and bank fish. For kayak fishing I stand a lot to work the baits like a frog, spook, jerkbait or really anything else that needs action applied to it. I’m 5’8” on a tall day so when im working the bait a rod longer the 7’ tends to hit the water when I work the bait where it’s comfortable for me to do it. On the bank I try to work in and around the trees so a long rod it also problematic. The longest rod I have is a Dobyns Champion 736. I don’t know quite yet if it’s going to work well enough for me. I know that lots of people want long rods for stuff, but I think that watching and listening to Seth Feider talk about his successes with shorter rods and why he switched make good sense to me 

[new2BC4bass]

Never fished from a kayak, but have from a canoe with my B-I-L in Florida.  I use all 7' rods.  Last visit (2-1/2 years ago) he had made a seat for me that put my butt above the gunwales.  I had sent down an OG Tatula 7'4" HF for use as a frog rod.  I had no problems casting it, but can't comment on landing a fish with it as none were caught on a frog.  I'm 5' 10-1/2".  Well I was 55 years ago (last time measured).  Old age and gravity probably has made me shorter.

 

I am not familiar with rods in that price range.  You could look for a used 6'9" MHF Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth or 6'10" MHF Daiwa Tatula.  Both have shorter handles if that is important.  The Smallmouth fishes quite a bit above its (original list) price and the Tatula isn't a slouch.

 

[Smalls]

14 hours ago, Matt Hoo said:

For kayak fishing I stand a lot to work the baits like a frog, spook, jerkbait or really anything else that needs action applied to it.

Yeah, but this is typical from a boat, as well.