Rods you use from a kayak, SUP, or any other small vessel

[Elbee_gunz]

Hey everyone, just curious what you all are using when afloat and don’t have a lot of room to work or handle line and hooked fish. 
 

Anyone using shorter than 9’ rods? What about longer ones, switch rods etc? 
 

I am using a 9’ 8 wt redington salmon field kit that I put an echo bravo reel on and I love it. I’ve used a g Loomis 9’ 9wt crosscurrent but it was not as pleasant to cast.  I’ve been tempted to try out something like the shorter redington predators for inshore work. 
 

love to hear from everyone on what they prefer! 

[Rwb1500]

I fish 9 foot rods seated from a kayak. For me I feel like you need the length for the sake of your casting stroke. I guess that only applies if you're fishing big water and need to make long casts. 

 

When seated you lose some of the body mechanics involved with casting. You can still cast very well from a seated position but if definitely takes some practice. I feel like a shorter rod would hamper my ability to get a cast out as far as I might like.  

 

That being said if you're fishing structure on the bank for largemouth or mangroves in saltwater and you're close a shorter rod might be an advantage.

[JRT]

The same ones as I use from shore. Use short head lines to reduce false casts.

[Vt coast]

I’ve always fished with a 9’ rod in fresh and saltwater in my sit in kayaks. A rod, fanny pack with flies, nippers, etc., goes behind the seat, paddles, pfd and a net if you like. I find there is enough room in the cockpit for line management and unhooking fish…That said it’s a lot more roomy with a SOT.

[Elbee_gunz]

32 mins ago, Vt coast said:

I’ve always fished with a 9’ rod in fresh and saltwater in my sit in kayaks. A rod, fanny pack with flies, nippers, etc., goes behind the seat, paddles, pfd and a net if you like. I find there is enough room in the cockpit for line management and unhooking fish…That said it’s a lot more roomy with a SOT.

I really like to have a net when I am in the kayak as well. Makes the handling experience easier for me and if I wanna keep them in the water there is more control.  The 9’ and a net seem to be a good combo and not too hard bringing a fish to hand. 

[bloosfisher]

9 ft. is perfect for me. Enough to make back casts clear the water, short enough to lip or net fish.  A short head to limit false casts is a good point.  I use a piece of plastic in my sit-in to dump line on, there's enough spare room in the SOT to keep line clear.  I always wear a lanyard with nippers, forceps , a spool of tippet, and a hook sharpener. Keeps the reaching around to a minimum. 

[slip n slide]

I like the shorter rods in my kayak as they don't stick out over the bow.,7'10-8 1/2' in 8,9 and 10 wts, some glass too.

Casts from a yak are much shorter than when I'm on shore,usually under 50'.It surprises me still how close I can be and still hook fish,like,the length of my rod away.

It's also easier to handle/strip line and come tight after a cast w/ a shorter rod.

I usually fish 10' rods but I like the shorty's on the yak,2' less makes a difference.

[Elbee_gunz]

35 mins ago, slip n slide said:

I like the shorter rods in my kayak as they don't stick out over the bow.,7'10-8 1/2' in 8,9 and 10 wts, some glass too.

 

Nice. What rods specifically do you like?

[slip n slide]

I've got a CTS 8',9wt graphite,CTS glass 8',10wt and 8'6",8wt,Sage 7'10" 330 gr

[albacized]

I picked up a yak (old town sportsman pedal drive), but have yet to fish out if it (or even put it in the water yet…but it late in the season). 
 

But anyway, I picked up a used 8/9 wt g Loomis short stix with the yak in mind- I do have plenty of 9’ers if necessary. I guess it’s trial and error to see what you like.

[Elbee_gunz]

1 hour ago, albacized said:

8/9 wt g Loomis short stix

That’s awesome. I’ve been looking for one of those and haven’t been able to find one. Let me know how it goes! 

[Fredrick]

What are you currently fishing out of? I fish out of a kayak 90% of the time most of my casting is done while sitting, when you stand it may feel more comfortable, but it makes hell for line control. As for rods I've used rods from 7'11" to 9' shorter rods are more accurate and fight fish better but the longer rods help keep your back cast off the water. Getting comfortable in your craft with a system of doing things makes things allot more efficient on the water. 

[Elbee_gunz]

10 hours ago, Fredrick said:

What are you currently fishing out of? I fish out of a kayak 90% of the time most of my casting is done while sitting, when you stand it may feel more comfortable, but it makes hell for line control. As for rods I've used rods from 7'11" to 9' shorter rods are more accurate and fight fish better but the longer rods help keep your back cast off the water. Getting comfortable in your craft with a system of doing things makes things allot more efficient on the water. 

I have a wilderness systems tarpon 140 and a Hala Rado SUP. I try to keep it simpler than when I first got the kayak. I try to just bring one or two rods, small sling bag for a few items, net, lanyard with tippet, pliers, file, and I have a co2 pfd that is a belt style. On the board I just bring my rod, lanyard, anchor sometimes, and a beer. 

 

 I have only used 9’ rods but I am very interested in the shorter element. Which ones have you used and liked? 

[Elbee_gunz]

18 hours ago, slip n slide said:

I've got a CTS 8',9wt graphite,CTS glass 8',10wt and 8'6",8wt,Sage 7'10" 330 gr

What kind of fishing do you like to take your glass rods out for? 

[Running Ape]

I use short glass rods from my small skiff for freshwater, fenwick ff706, ff756.