Rod suggestions? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

FISH11 · 03-19-2014, 09:09 PM

Ugly Stick Tiger good rod for a low price. Sports Chalet carries them in medium light, medium and medium heavy. They are 7' and sell for $64.99. They are way better than anything else unless your ready to spend twice as much or more.

alanw · 03-19-2014, 09:35 PM

Spend the money and buy a decent rod if you can. You don't have to drop $500+ but something $150-$350 with a lifetime warranty. Buy "Made in USA" if possible of course. I've been done buying cheap-ass rods for a long time. Someone point this man to the Calstar isle or something.

gunghosd · 03-20-2014, 01:41 AM

I agree with AlanW, I hate nothing more than cheap gear or gear prone to breaking while fishing. I am not saying all inexpensive gear is cheap or junk, I am just saying "personally" I love experiencing gear that kicks ass at its intended use. IE Seeker, Calstar, Phenix etc.

Also Lifetime warranties are nice, as well as awesome service that you will most likely not experience with less expensive options if you should need it.

I chat with a lot of kayak guys and there is a lot of talk of heavy abuse on gear while yakking....I dont think kayak fishing is any harder on gear than a sport or some private boats. Just be mindful as you transport/use, and maintain your gear and quality stuff lasts a lifetime, that way your not throwing good money away when you treat yourself to good gear.

So in conclusion, Seeker Black Steel G670 7' is one of my fav's for your stated needs, no one rod does everything perfectly but you learn what "you" like for a certain application and lean towards that, me....I like a moderate to fast tip and a light graphite rod so i can feel everything and I don't feel like I have a lead pipe for a rod. All this is personal preference and changes like the wind direction at times over the years, I am no expert, I just know what I like.

As for a jig stick, a 9' stick that loads well will cast far and summon surface fish well. I suggest you go to a tackle shop and pull on 10-15 different rods at different lengths and see what they feel like to you!

but just so people don't start yelling at me.....YES you can catch a fish on anything, even simply line wrapped around a plastic bottle with a hook on the end, but life is too short not to have sweet gear

Good Luck to you!!!!!

dpunch · 03-20-2014, 07:17 AM

GraphTechs Rods, for the price cannot beat'em. Shimano Torium Series reels, again for the price, cannot beat them. Shimano Cardiff, round bait casters get the job done with proper maintenance for light weight set-ups. Avet carries a nice selection of reels for good value to and repairs are done local.

Higher end, Cal Star, Phoenix, GLoomis (Old Models) rods….
High End Reels, Shimano Calcuttas, Trinadads

Different line classes have different applications for different species. Then you throw in whether your want to use braided line or not. One size your can fit all, but its ideal to have a few different set ups.

FISH11 · 03-20-2014, 10:16 AM

Nothing wrong with getting the best gear you can, but that's the point. Not everyone has a budget where they can buy a $300 or more rod and reel that cost hundreds even into thousands. It's like in golf it's not the expensive club but the golfers ability. Think, you'll need several different set-ups for the different uses. Sometimes you have to compromise to get as much as needed and upgrade later. I agree, try to spend as much as you can afford on the one set-up that you'll use the most. Some times BWE member have some good deals on this site.

03-19-2014, 09:35 PM	#2
alanw Made in U.S.A. Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dana Point Posts: 1,625	Spend the money and buy a decent rod if you can. You don't have to drop $500+ but something $150-$350 with a lifetime warranty. Buy "Made in USA" if possible of course. I've been done buying cheap-ass rods for a long time. Someone point this man to the Calstar isle or something. __________________ Hobie PA 14 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Jackson Kraken ¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu X-Factor ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu Stealth-12 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Its not a spelling B its a fishing B ~yakjoe

03-20-2014, 01:41 AM	#3
gunghosd Let's Do This! Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: san diego, ca, usa Posts: 63	I agree with AlanW, I hate nothing more than cheap gear or gear prone to breaking while fishing. I am not saying all inexpensive gear is cheap or junk, I am just saying "personally" I love experiencing gear that kicks ass at its intended use. IE Seeker, Calstar, Phenix etc. Also Lifetime warranties are nice, as well as awesome service that you will most likely not experience with less expensive options if you should need it. I chat with a lot of kayak guys and there is a lot of talk of heavy abuse on gear while yakking....I dont think kayak fishing is any harder on gear than a sport or some private boats. Just be mindful as you transport/use, and maintain your gear and quality stuff lasts a lifetime, that way your not throwing good money away when you treat yourself to good gear. So in conclusion, Seeker Black Steel G670 7' is one of my fav's for your stated needs, no one rod does everything perfectly but you learn what "you" like for a certain application and lean towards that, me....I like a moderate to fast tip and a light graphite rod so i can feel everything and I don't feel like I have a lead pipe for a rod. All this is personal preference and changes like the wind direction at times over the years, I am no expert, I just know what I like. As for a jig stick, a 9' stick that loads well will cast far and summon surface fish well. I suggest you go to a tackle shop and pull on 10-15 different rods at different lengths and see what they feel like to you! but just so people don't start yelling at me.....YES you can catch a fish on anything, even simply line wrapped around a plastic bottle with a hook on the end, but life is too short not to have sweet gear Good Luck to you!!!!! Last edited by gunghosd; 03-20-2014 at 02:05 AM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-19-2014, 09:09 PM	#1
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,643	Ugly Stick Tiger good rod for a low price. Sports Chalet carries them in medium light, medium and medium heavy. They are 7' and sell for $64.99. They are way better than anything else unless your ready to spend twice as much or more.

03-20-2014, 07:17 AM	#4
dpunch Junior Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 22	GraphTechs Rods, for the price cannot beat'em. Shimano Torium Series reels, again for the price, cannot beat them. Shimano Cardiff, round bait casters get the job done with proper maintenance for light weight set-ups. Avet carries a nice selection of reels for good value to and repairs are done local. Higher end, Cal Star, Phoenix, GLoomis (Old Models) rods…. High End Reels, Shimano Calcuttas, Trinadads Different line classes have different applications for different species. Then you throw in whether your want to use braided line or not. One size your can fit all, but its ideal to have a few different set ups.

03-20-2014, 10:16 AM	#5
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,643	Nothing wrong with getting the best gear you can, but that's the point. Not everyone has a budget where they can buy a $300 or more rod and reel that cost hundreds even into thousands. It's like in golf it's not the expensive club but the golfers ability. Think, you'll need several different set-ups for the different uses. Sometimes you have to compromise to get as much as needed and upgrade later. I agree, try to spend as much as you can afford on the one set-up that you'll use the most. Some times BWE member have some good deals on this site.