What length rod for kayak fishing? 2024

bitsandbass reply :

What size do the kayak guys prefer? Thanks.

lmbfisherman reply :

This is all preference but in general the max rod length I use will be 7'. On a rare occasion will I use something longer from a kayak.

wet_dream reply :

On 5/30/2017 at 3:02 AM, lmbfisherman said:

This is all preference but in general the max rod length I use will be 7'. On a rare occasion will I use something longer from a kayak.

I agree with this, as longer rods will become cumbersome especially when attempting to land a fish. More importantly, I prefer rods with shorter handles from the reel seat to the butt. Makes it easier to maneuver the rod with out it getting caught in your PFD or to prevent it from jamming into your stomach/chest.

Turkey sandwich reply :

The longest spinning and casting rods I own are 7'1 (I believe) and I have no real trouble fishing any of them from the kayak. I'm also 5'11, if height means anything. I have no been so bold as to try fly fishing out of mine yet, though, that'll likely happen this summer.

lmbfisherman reply :

On 5/30/2017 at 3:50 AM, Turkey sandwich said:

The longest spinning and casting rods I own are 7'1 (I believe) and I have no real trouble fishing any of them from the kayak. I'm also 5'11, if height means anything. I have no been so bold as to try fly fishing out of mine yet, though, that'll likely happen this summer.

If you're standing the length probably won't affect you, but I fish mostly sitting in my kayak. If I stand it is to stretch or sight fish.

Turkey sandwich reply :

I see the value in having a shorter rod and sometimes wish I had more in the 6'-6'6 range around, but not enough buy kayak specific rods for things. I sat mostly through last year. After back surgery, this year I'm finally feeling a lot more comfortable standing more.

kickerfish1 reply :

I don't own a yak but my buddy has two Hobbies. I got to fish out of one with the foot controlled mirage drive system a few weeks ago. I made the mistake of bringing some longer rods because of the frog bite going on. I had a 7 foot and 7'4 rod with me. I would say without a doubt 7 foot is about the max length. I would prefer something between 6 to 6'6 if I was to fish out of one on a regular basis.

bitsandbass reply :

Cool thanks. I was thinking like a 4'6" rod may be best but I would rather not get another rod. 6'6" is what I'm sticking too. Thanks guys.

NHBull reply :

In my area, sitters use 6'6" and sanders use 7'

HeavyTwenty reply :

I regularly fish with 7'4" rods but I have a medium handle net to help land larger bass fish. 7' or less probably would be more optimal if you want kayak focused gear, but I liked the feel of the 7'4" so much that I bought another...

Darren. reply :

On 5/30/2017 at 2:54 AM, bitsandbass said:

What size do the kayak guys prefer? Thanks.

So many different opinions/answers to your question.

My sweet spot for rod length in my kayak is 5'9". Yeah,

I like shorter rods, especially for spinning as I am so

much more accurate with them.

I'll go as long as 6'6", but rarely anymore. I'm even in

the midst of pondering taking my 6' ML St. Croix Premier

to a local rod guy for shortening to 5'9". I do so like that

length paired with Shimano Stradic 1000 reels.

To each his/her own, as you can see from the replies.

So the bottom line is fish what you are comfortable with.

flyfisher reply :

Whatever size you want to use. I haven't found an instance where rod length has been a hinderance for me with the lone exception being some of the smaller creeks/rivers I fish where overhanging trees can snag a rod or two.

I have used anything from 6' up to 9' fly rods with no issues.

Montanaro reply :

Non issue

Use whatever you like. I use a 7'6" a good bit

jbw252 reply :

I prefer using my 6' to 6'6" length rods in my Hobie Revo. I do agree with @wet_dream, that rods with shorter handles make yak fishing a little more manageable at times.

clayton86 reply :

I use everything from a 6' casting rod for top water walk the dog baits to my 9' 7wt fly rod in my kayak. Most mine range from 6'9" to 7'6" the only time I find a real issue with the longer rods is when I'm floating narrow creeks with low overhanging branches or bridges I tend to keep them on the deck of my ATAK rather then in the holders sticking up getting caught on everything.

CenCal fisher reply :

I use rods ranging from 7' to 8'. Rod length isn't really an issue

DogBone_384 reply :

I fish from an Ascend 128T and Lure 11.5. I use 6' 10" to 7' for 99% of my fishing.

Jimmyb819 reply :

I fish with 6'6"s and 7's sitting. I don't have much trouble landing fish but any time my cranks get tangled near the tip it sure is annoying. For me, I think 6'-6'6" is the sweet spot.

BassWhole! reply :

Rod length=(Yak length+ Yak beam)/2.2

Darren. reply :

On 5/31/2017 at 5:34 AM, Jimmyb819 said:

I fish with 6'6"s and 7's sitting. I don't have much trouble landing fish but any time my cranks get tangled near the tip it sure is annoying. For me, I think 6'-6'6" is the sweet spot.

Welcome aboard, Jimmy!

I like your thinking

DogBone_384 reply :

On 5/31/2017 at 5:36 AM, reason said:

Rod length=(Yak length+ Yak beam)/2.2

I just did the math for my Lure 11.5. Funny, it came out to just about 6' 10".

The Bassman reply :

On 5/30/2017 at 9:00 AM, Darren. said:

So many different opinions/answers to your question.

My sweet spot for rod length in my kayak is 5'9". Yeah,

I like shorter rods, especially for spinning as I am so

much more accurate with them.

I'll go as long as 6'6", but rarely anymore. I'm even in

the midst of pondering taking my 6' ML St. Croix Premier

to a local rod guy for shortening to 5'9". I do so like that

length paired with Shimano Stradic 1000 reels.

To each his/her own, as you can see from the replies.

So the bottom line is fish what you are comfortable with.

I really miss the pre 1990's when it was so easy to find 6' and under rods. They work better for me, too as my fishing is done on foot around small waters and streams.

Angry John reply :

I love a 66-70 rod in a yak. The shorter lengths on rivers is better where lake fishing it does not seem to matter. This is also the same as the style of the fishing done on these types of waters. You may enjoy a pistol grip rod if your working under trees and around a lot of lower to the water cover.

Darren. reply :

On 5/31/2017 at 8:03 AM, The Bassman said:

I really miss the pre 1990's when it was so easy to find 6' and under rods. They work better for me, too as my fishing is done on foot around small waters and streams.

My favorite under 6 rod is a 5'9" Shimano Compre, cork

handle, circa 2009, I think. Has fantastic action, super

accurate... Now that I have a Premier 6' ML, I've been

using it and the Compre a lot, which is why I've been toying

with having the Premier cut down to 5'9". Would make it a

great all-around rod IMO.

fishwizzard reply :

I like mine as short as I can get away with, so just long enough to get a fish around the bow. Which in my 10' yak means about 6' ish.

Short butts are essential though, the old Fenwick Elitetech Smallmouth rods are perfect kayak rods if you can find them.

BassWhole! reply :

On 5/31/2017 at 8:06 AM, Darren. said:

My favorite under 6 rod is a 5'9" Shimano Compre, cork

handle, circa 2009, I think.

I "borrow" my wife's Compre 5'9"/stradic 2000 a lot. I gave it to her for Xmas quite a while ago. Good stick, but.....

MassYak85 reply :

If I could buy an arsenal strictly for kayak fishing I'd keep everything under 7'3. But I fish from kayak, bank, and boat so I usually buy rods for the technique first so I have a 7'6 and 7'11 that sometimes I bring in the kayak. My issue usually has more to do with the handle length. I HATE longer handles when kayak fishing, I always am bumping them into my chest when trying to maneuver or work the rod.

Jimmyb819 reply :

On 5/31/2017 at 5:49 AM, Darren. said:

Welcome aboard, Jimmy!

I like your thinking

Thanks Darren!

Honestly, I've been lurking here so long I didn't even realize that was my first post!

bigfruits reply :

i use 6'6"-7'3".

if you are sitting, walking baits and jerkbaits will be fished with side twitches and its easier to pitch baits with a shorter rod. i do a lot of roll casts when sitting.

for long casts i dont see any reason why not to use a longer rod.

faygo1979 reply :

The longer the better for me. Sitting so low I like the range I get from a longer rod. Most of the rods i use are between 7'3" and 7'11"

4548

What length rod for kayak fishing? 2024

related Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic

previous topic

next topic

most viewed Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic