TackleTour

I've done a lot of fishing in the past from a canoe, but this year It is going to be a combination of bank and kayak for me. In the canoe I've handled rods up to 76 without issue, but I have heard people seem to prefer shorter rods from a kayak. I am torn between some frog rod that are 72 and 76. From the bank/canoe I really like the extra length, but I am not sure how it will be from a kayak. How do you guys feel about max rod length in a kayak?

Is your yak a sit on top or sit in ? I log a ton of miles on my Jackson Tuna every year chasing river smallmouth in all kinds of conditions. I’ve never had an issue with my rod lengths. I fish plenty of sticks to 7’6” but would have zero issue going longer if a presentation depended on it. The only limiting factor for some may be if threading a needle in or around overhanging timber or feeling more comfortable walking a bait with a shorter rod. I stand up for that. Again I’m a riverine guy and haven’t fished a lake/pond in twenty plus years so take it for what it’s worth.

Good fishing, Travis

Don't hava a kayak yet but plan to get a sit on top

In my decade of kayak fishing I’ve never purchased a rod for its length due to what I’ll be fishing out of. Is it a little easier to chuck a bait while seated if the butt of the rod is a little shorter, however if you stand up that problem goes away.

russ57 wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 16, 2020 9:39 am

Don't hava a kayak yet but plan to get a sit on top

The issue is high sticking when you land fish. I would suggest a full length handle landing net if you're going with 7'6+ rods from the yak, will make your life a lot easier.

Rod length doesn’t matter to much, but handle length can, especially if sitting down. If you stand up to fish neither makes any difference. I do like rods to be at least 7’ to make it easier to bring fish around the bow of the kayak.

I have tried kayak specific rods with shorter handles and didn't like them. I fish with my Dobyns swimbait 795 and 806 rods sitting down without any problems. You might need to experiment with what works best for you.

In CQC situations shorter and for open water longer. Truth be told it doesn't matter too much for me though as I have sit on top style. I will say though longer tend to be more side arm casting as my other gear and rods tend to cut the casting room down so unless I am really paying attention to my mechanics I rarely catapult directly overhead if that even makes any sense. I will also say sit in suck for me personally as I am taller and I like being able to move about and sit in different positions to lessen my back issues overalll

Cristo I have 5 Ram mounts on my Big Tuna. 3 on the big JKrate behind my seat on the track system with rods traveling at a downward angle and trailing behind. 2 at either side of my seat. The 2 at either side of my seat are used for the rods “in use” and are angled lower rather than straight up in the air with my strong side (casting side) being empty. I can easily overhead bomb cast anything.

As one poster suggested. Use what feels comfortable for your uses.

Travis