Is this rod a good choice for targeting big bass of a kayak or boat?

[Bunker_Chunker]

was looking to get two nice  conventional striper setups for me and my fiance for fishing off the kayak and on boats in both the bay and the ocean.  I heard the 2021 mojo inshore had been fixed form its breaking issues and I love the look of them. Are the specs I listed below good for a kayak and boat rod for targeting big bass in strong current? is a lure rating of 2-6 enough for dropping bait too? If so what reel should I put on the rods, my budget is around $200-300 for each reel. I know 7'9 might be long for some as a boat rod, but I kinda like how it keeps it away from the boat, but I am open to suggestions. Thanks for the help, it's a great community here!

 

• Color: Deep Aquamarine
• Length: 7'9"
• Power: XH
• Action: Mod. Fast
• Pieces: 1
• Line Rating Mono: 40-80
• Lure Weight: 2-6
• Rod Weight: 7.7
• Handle Style: 6
• Guide Type: Sea Guide Aluminum-Oxide Guides
• Reel Seat Manufacturer: Fuji
• Number of Guides: 6 + tip
• Foregrip Material: Cork
• Foregrip Length: 4"
• Reel Seat Type: Fuji DPS reel seat/black hood
• Reargrip Length: 15"
• Reargrip Material: Cork and Hypalon
• Gimbal: No
• Gimbal Material: Rubber

Edited March 15 by Bunker_Chunker

[FalmouthFisher]

Looks like a beast of a rod. 
 

I'm not a kayak fisher (I do it occasionally). I would think rear grip length is important so it doesn’t get in the way casting from a sitting position. Longer overall length might make it tougher to manage the fish close to the boat like reaching the leader or netting it. 

[EliasA]

That’s a beef stick rod. It may be a bit long for the kayak, some guys prefer shorter rods but the 7’9” is about a perfect length for the boat, so it should work well enough for boat and yak.

 

what do you plan on using the rod for? That rod will cast large plugs and bait and weight no problem. You can also troll eels/whole bunker with it no problem.

 

For the reels there are lots of options, I like the shimano tranx, either 300 or 400, you can find them right around $300 or less if used. There are lots of other good options for casting reels, like the daiwa lexa lineup, or the Okuma Komodo.

 

if you don’t plan on casting and would prefer a traditional conventional reel there are lots of options like the daiwa saltist lw, multiple different avet reels, Penn fathom, shimano torium, daiwa BG and many more

[GrahamN]

7'6-8 from the kayak is what I finds best, easiest to get the fish around the tip or back if you need to 

But a shorter back handle  is a must have if you're casting from the kayak 

Dropping bait not so much 

But I've found it's really hard to work a rod with a long butt from the kayak 

[Striperstrike]

I have the spinning version of that rod and use it from the boat. It’s great for throwing big plugs and livelining. Will easily handle anything 1.5 to 4 oz comfortably. The conventional version would be very versatile when paired with a 300 size lexa or tranx.

[Bunker_Chunker]

41 mins ago, EliasA said:

That’s a beef stick rod. It may be a bit long for the kayak, some guys prefer shorter rods but the 7’9” is about a perfect length for the boat, so it should work well enough for boat and yak.

 

what do you plan on using the rod for? That rod will cast large plugs and bait and weight no problem. You can also troll eels/whole bunker with it no problem.

 

For the reels there are lots of options, I like the shimano tranx, either 300 or 400, you can find them right around $300 or less if used. There are lots of other good options for casting reels, like the daiwa lexa lineup, or the Okuma Komodo.

 

if you don’t plan on casting and would prefer a traditional conventional reel there are lots of options like the daiwa saltist lw, multiple different avet reels, Penn fathom, shimano torium, daiwa BG and many more

I was thinking it might be too beefy, but had the idea of using it for big baits like you said whole bunker, eels, but wasn't sure of the lure rating or power for that. I would do no casting with this setup

[Bunker_Chunker]

23 mins ago, Striperstrike said:

I have the spinning version of that rod and use it from the boat. It’s great for throwing big plugs and livelining. Will easily handle anything 1.5 to 4 oz comfortably. The conventional version would be very versatile when paired with a 300 size lexa or tranx.

nice glad its working well for you, thanks for your input!

[Bunker_Chunker]

25 mins ago, GrahamN said:

7'6-8 from the kayak is what I finds best, easiest to get the fish around the tip or back if you need to 

But a shorter back handle  is a must have if you're casting from the kayak 

Dropping bait not so much 

But I've found it's really hard to work a rod with a long butt from the kayak 

ill keep the shorter back handle in mind, and ill just be using bait with this set up, Thanks for the help

[Bunker_Chunker]

1 hour ago, FalmouthFisher said:

Looks like a beast of a rod. 
 

I'm not a kayak fisher (I do it occasionally). I would think rear grip length is important so it doesn’t get in the way casting from a sitting position. Longer overall length might make it tougher to manage the fish close to the boat like reaching the leader or netting it. 

you mean a beast that it will be overkill for even targeting big ocean stripers? I never had a true "ocean bass" rod that could handle 8-10 once lead and bait I thought this might have been it. Ill keep that rear grip in mind, thanks for your input!

[EliasA]

4 mins ago, Bunker_Chunker said:

I was thinking it might be too beefy, but had the idea of using it for big baits like you said whole bunker, eels, but wasn't sure of the lure rating or power for that. I would do no casting with this setup

It will be overkill if you’re targeting smaller fish, but if you’re fishing big baits in big current for big fish then it will do you nicely.

 

I have the same rod, just with a Tranx 301 on it. I use it for casting big plugs (like 2-5oz) and pitching live eels and live bunker, but i see no reason why it wouldn’t work well for fishing big baits on the bottom or drifting. It’s a pretty fast rod, it’s on the stiff side but that shouldn’t be a problem

[GrahamN]

11 mins ago, Bunker_Chunker said:

ill keep the shorter back handle in mind, and ill just be using bait with this set up, Thanks for the help

When I build kayak rods for myself I tend to run ~10inches of rear grip, which puts the reel stem at 13-14 inches spinning setup for throwing plugs 

I also tend to run a longer foregrip as well 

I would think a conventional setup for chunking it wouldn't matter as much , and a slightly longer rear grip might not hurt as much especially for big fish,  being able to plant the butt between your legs and really work the rod 

I still wouldn't go too long with it 

[Arthropod]

Stripers - slow trolling tube and worm is the most deadly, lights out, “catch fish when no one else is catchin ‘em” tactic that you can use from a kayak. Something about the speed, quietness of the boat and “tight to structure”

presentation that can’t be replicated on a boat, on the shore or from a submarine. 
I’d recommend casting away any dreams of cut bait or dragging metal or plastics or any of that other nonsense that is designed to catch more fishermen err, I mean fisherpeople than fish. 
7’ Mojo inshore HF is what you need. Ideally SEiGLER SG reel (buy used on eBay) with Daiwa measured Jbraid or Saltiga measured boat braid (better) and you’re all set.  Hogy has an interesting parabolic rod (shorter) or Star Paraflex that you may also consider especially if trolling.     No - the Mojo kayak rods are awful. Stay away from that (in case that sounded interesting).  
He is a lucky guy to have you asking such a smart group of people like us this question!!!!!  Best of luck.  

Edited March 16 by Arthropod

[Bunker_Chunker]

On 3/15/2023 at 10:31 PM, Arthropod said:

Stripers - slow trolling tube and worm is the most deadly, lights out, “catch fish when no one else is catchin ‘em” tactic that you can use from a kayak. Something about the speed, quietness of the boat and “tight to structure”

presentation that can’t be replicated on a boat, on the shore or from a submarine. 
I’d recommend casting away any dreams of cut bait or dragging metal or plastics or any of that other nonsense that is designed to catch more fishermen err, I mean fisherpeople than fish. 
7’ Mojo inshore HF is what you need. Ideally SEiGLER SG reel (buy used on eBay) with Daiwa measured Jbraid or Saltiga measured boat braid (better) and you’re all set.  Hogy has an interesting parabolic rod (shorter) or Star Paraflex that you may also consider especially if trolling.     No - the Mojo kayak rods are awful. Stay away from that (in case that sounded interesting).  
He is a lucky guy to have you asking such a smart group of people like us this question!!!!!  Best of luck.  

have tried the tubes a long time ago but only very briefly ill have to try again and up my game haha. When you say Mojo inshore 7ft HF do you mean power Heavy and action Fast? thanks for the great feedback!

[The Riddler]

Too much rod for kayak. Unless you like throwing GRS Trollers. Thats a 7-8oz plug. 

 

On 3/15/2023 at 10:31 PM, Arthropod said:

 

I’d recommend casting away any dreams of cut bait or dragging metal or plastics or any of that other nonsense that is designed to catch more fishermen err, I mean fisherpeople than fish. 
 

Can you elaborate a little on this? Just wanted to know if throwing plastics and and wood is absolute nonsense for the kayak fisherman. 

[EliasA]

2 mins ago, The Riddler said:

Too much rod for kayak. Unless you like throwing GRS Trollers. Thats a 7-8oz plug. 

 

Can you elaborate a little on this? Just wanted to know if throwing plastics and and wood is absolute nonsense for the kayak fisherman. 

He’s just a tube and worm fanatic, don’t listen to him