What would you say is the best rod length/power for throwing a 2.75” soft paddle tail swim on an 1/8 oz jig in a medium sized river from a kayak?

[Ohioguy25]

I have been using a 7’1” MF Legend Tournament Bass spinnig. I am pretty pleased with it, although I can’t help but notice the handle feels a little shorter than most split grip rods of this length. Particularly in the 7’1” MF.  It casts beautifully, I paired it with a Shimano Stradic 2500 with 8 lb trilene XL clear mono.  Yet it still feels slightly cumbersome slinging it around one handed in the medium sized river I fish.  Is that a good fit for this application and I’m just still adjusting from the shorter rods I’m used to or is there a better fit?
 

I like the length for casting distance and medium power for the large smallmouth and channels in my river. This also gives me the versatility to throw a much wider variety of lures (including 3.25” on 1/4 oz) than a lighter or shorter rod might.  Is LTB about as good as it gets in that price range or are there better options for this?
 

I use it as my primary rod that I throw a swim bait on, although I lost it today to the river ? Debating replacing or switching it up? Thanks!

[WRB]

6’10” MLF of your choice.

Tom

[casts_by_fly]

17 minutes ago, WRB said:

6’10” MLF of your choice.

Tom

[Ohioguy25]

9 hours ago, WRB said:

6’10” MLF of your choice.

Tom

I thought about that, but what about for throwing 3.25” swims on heavier jigs or fighting bigger fish? Is a 7’1” MF too long/heavy to throw the smaller swim bait so I kinda gotta pick one or the other?

[bulldog1935]

I think spinning rods need the extra length for kayak fishing, and IMO 6'10" to 7'1" dials it home.  Going to lighter lures and still wanting fast mid and stout butt may want it slightly longer. 

Anything wrong with keeping two rigged rods in your kayak, the MF and the MLF? 

 

If you made the switch to baitcaster, you'd be likely be happy with a shorter rod there, say 6'7" or 6'8"

[TNBankFishing]

10 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

I have been using a 7’1” MF Legend Tournament Bass spinnig. I am pretty pleased with it, although I can’t help but notice the handle feels a little shorter than most split grip rods of this length. Particularly in the 7’1” MF.  It casts beautifully, I paired it with a Shimano Stradic 2500 with 8 lb trilene XL clear mono.  Yet it still feels slightly cumbersome slinging it around one handed in the medium sized river I fish.  Is that a good fit for this application and I’m just still adjusting from the shorter rods I’m used to or is there a better fit?
 

I like the length for casting distance and medium power for the large smallmouth and channels in my river. This also gives me the versatility to throw a much wider variety of lures (including 3.25” on 1/4 oz) than a lighter or shorter rod might.  Is LTB about as good as it gets in that price range or are there better options for this?
 

I use it as my primary rod that I throw a swim bait on, although I lost it today to the river ? Debating replacing or switching it up? Thanks!

St. Croix MLXF is another excellent choice. I’ve used my Legend X for small swim baits, neds, and neko rigs. The action is definitely fast/extra fast but the tip is just special. Both in casting and spinning it’s one of my favorite actions. 

[Ohioguy25]

29 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

I think spinning rods need the extra length for kayak fishing, and IMO 6'10" to 7'1" dials it home.  Going to lighter lures and still wanting fast mid and stout butt may want it slightly longer. 

Anything wrong with keeping two rigged rods in your kayak, the MF and the MLF? 

 

If you made the switch to baitcaster, you'd be likely be happy with a shorter rod there, say 6'7" or 6'8"

I actually also have a 6’10 MLXF Legend for my finesse setup, would this be significantly better for those smaller swims? I really like the length and power of the 7’1”.

[TNBankFishing]

It’s what I prefer for them. I’ve never had a problem moving fish away from cover and I fish the TN tva system. Give it a shot, if you need more power in a lighter rod, I’d almost think you need to go BFS style. Maybe a 7’5 ML casting rod with an Aldebaran or other reel capable of tossing 8th oz baits easily. 
 

Just now thinking about it, if the funds allow the 7’6 Steez is absolutely stellar for that task. I’m moving away from sticks without no questions asked warranty’s as I flipped my yak this weekend and almost blew up my entire lineup. 

[bulldog1935]

@TNBankFishing

I've turtled twice, only lost a water bottle (and had spare water in my cooler). 

Home-made rod leash that glides on trolley line, with buckles to separate the rod.   

The link below shows the salty version with twine-seized ends.  Can make them simpler using Acrylic/PE tape to seize the knots, and the tape holds up forever. 

[TNBankFishing]

1 hour ago, bulldog1935 said:

@TNBankFishing

I've turtled twice, only lost a water bottle (and had spare water in my cooler). 

Home-made rod leash that glides on trolley line, with buckles to separate the rod.   

The link below shows the salty version with twine-seized ends.  Can make them simpler using Acrylic/PE tape to seize the knots, and the tape holds up forever. 

I fish rivers as well as the tva lakes and often in less than 8 feet of water. I’ve had a couple close calls but this one was the last straw. I have all of my rods secured with para cord but half of them are in Yakattack rod tubes. Those would just shatter. 
 

I’ve never been a fan of Loomis but them and St. croix are the only folks I’ve dealt with that just say $100 bucks and we’ll get you a new one. I adore my megabass stuff but unless I eventually get a boat I’m going to have to sell. And I have zero interest in buying a boat until I’m too old to climb in my yak. 

[Boomstick]

3 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Is a 7’1” MF too long/heavy to throw the smaller swim bait so I kinda gotta pick one or the other?

A 7'1" M/F should be fine as long as it is not one of those mediums that are closer to a medium heavy. It would fall somewhere between my ML/XF and my M/F so either works.

[Dinger0306]

Maybe a shorter rod 6'6 to 6'10 would be better if it was cumbersome. I'm not a fan of longer rods and though I do own them, I reach for the 6'6s more often than not. I like ML/F for smallies but I'm using lighter jigs 1/16oz more often than not. 1/8+3" grub doesn't feel overpowering, though.

[Dangerfield]

I really liked the feel of the 6' 8" MXF SC Bass X (new model) casting rod, I checked it out for topwater purposes but I think it would be better served fishing t-rig soft plastics and small swimbaits upto medium gauge jigheads. I walked out of Cabela's with a SC Victory 6'10" MLXF spinning rod for drop shots and ned rigs, worked really well with a 3" sparkshad on okashira prop head.

[PressuredFishing]

Whatever you got works, I don't think a few inches here or there makes a huge deal with any techniques, you will want to match your rod weight with gauge of hook.

[Boomstick]

On 6/3/2022 at 2:58 PM, Dangerfield said:

I really liked the feel of the 6' 8" MXF SC Bass X (new model) casting rod, I checked it out for topwater purposes but I think it would be better served fishing t-rig soft plastics and small swimbaits upto medium gauge jigheads. I walked out of Cabela's with a SC Victory 6'10" MLXF spinning rod for drop shots and ned rigs, worked really well with a 3" sparkshad on okashira prop head.

I have the Mojo Bass version of this rod and it would be a solid choice here. I bought it for smaller topwaters (throwa 1/4oz poppers well) and weightless soft plastics although since getting the Tatula Elite 7' M-MH/XF I rarely use it for that anymore but it also makes a great jerkbait rod. With the faster tip, you can feel a bite on a twitch that I often miss on more moderate rods but it has less backbone than other St Croix mediums so it has enough give to keep them pinned.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

You either want a ML with an XF crisp tip or a M F or XF depending on the brand.  Since your going to be on a river I would lean to the lighter M.  The Tatula 7 M F would be perfect, and the power/action of that rod is incredibly versatile.  You could just about anything you can imagine with light cranks and plastics on that rod.  

SCs M XF Victory M XF is a bit heavier in power but it would work as well.