Best Rod and Reel Setup For Rock Cod? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

jruiz · 02-15-2022, 01:17 PM

No specific recommendation other than a high gear ratio and fishing with braid.

JohnMckroidJr · 02-15-2022, 02:01 PM

It has been decades since I rockcodded on the West Coast, but If I were to target deep water Rockfish, I would use a slow taper rod, 7ft or shorter because a fast taper rod will be more difficult to feel the strikes. A 2-speed reel using high speed when no fish are on the line, and low gear for when winding up fish. A reel with a long handle or a custom longer handle crank for easier winding. Since only 2 hooks are allowed, I would probably fish with 20-50lb braid(lighter line for less drift). I would consider rigging a half pool noodle on the kayak rail for a place to rest the rod while cranking up fish.

Two-speed reels for under 40lb line are unnecessary if one is a strong, seasoned angler. With that in mind, would probably opt for a 1-speed reel if fishing lighter lines. Back when 2:1 gear ratios were the norm for rockcodding, if one reeled up too fast, the fish would sometimes spin-off. It is always better to wind up slow and steady when reeling up rockfish.

In the '70s, one could catch rockfish using cigarette butts for bait. My buddy once caught his limit of half-day boat rockcod using a cut-off broomstick for a rod, u-nails for guides, and a Penn Del Mar reel secured with electric tape --LOL.

I still have my Hermosa Tackle Box Rockcod Special - 9ft Roller guide heavy duty Rod with a rail plate for steady cranking and a custom long crank handle 9/0 Penn Senator loaded with 80lb dacron. That was the best outfit to own back in the days of Cowcod and 15 fish limits. If I ever do deep dropping from a boat off Florida, I will use it instead of the electric reels that most Floridians use. Using electricity is cheating.

grey zone · 02-15-2022, 03:40 PM

A multitask rod is ideal on a kayak. I fish rockcod with a Calstar 670 rated 20-50lb, and a Avet JX with 50lb braid.

AlwaysFishing · 02-21-2022, 06:54 AM

Dave,
My go to set is the Okuma PCH Custom 7' 20-50lbs rod and the Penn FTHII15LW. I initially got the Penn FTHII25NSD because I wanted the fast retrieval rate of 42" per revolution but I found it be too much work without the level wind when fishing deep water. I primarily use the FTHII15LW even though it only have 30" per revolution of retrieval rate. I'd go with the FTHII25NSD if you don't need level wind. Both hold a ton of lines so they will work for rock fish. This is what works best for me and the combo was very affordable.

-Quang

JohnMckroidJr · 02-21-2022, 12:23 PM

Guiding line on a conventional reel is like riding a bike. Once mastered, one does not think about it, and the thumb guides automatically. Many star-drag conventional reels have the option to adjust the hand crank wider. The wider setting optimizes the easier winding of the reel for reeling up from deep.

daperrin · 02-22-2022, 07:50 AM

Thanks for the insight guys. Will do some additional research based on the tips.

daperrin · 02-22-2022, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlwaysFishing

Dave,
My go to set is the Okuma PCH Custom 7' 20-50lbs rod and the Penn FTHII15LW. I initially got the Penn FTHII25NSD because I wanted the fast retrieval rate of 42" per revolution but I found it be too much work without the level wind when fishing deep water. I primarily use the FTHII15LW even though it only have 30" per revolution of retrieval rate. I'd go with the FTHII25NSD if you don't need level wind. Both hold a ton of lines so they will work for rock fish. This is what works best for me and the combo was very affordable.

-Quang

Thanks Quang. I'll definitely consider the LW as this will probably be for my nephews and 'guest' I bring along that don't have a lot of patience. I have the Fathom 15SD at this point for myself and love it.

PapaDave · 02-23-2022, 07:30 AM

Personally, since the depth we are able to fish is deeper, I've gone electric.

https://smile.amazon.com/Shimano-PLE...%2C146&sr=8-18

A bit higher in price then a manual reel but well worth it. The rod it is mounted on is an Ugly Stik heavy jigging rod, although I'm not sure if you can find them any more. There are other brands of reels in that same price range too.

https://www.tackledirect.com/ugly-st...sting-rod.html

You can get the batteries online as well...

https://smile.amazon.com/FengWings-R...s%2C227&sr=8-6

The battery will last through a single day of fishing but it's a good idea to have backups. I also found one on eBay that lasts about a day and a half of serious use...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/292817690384

Took this out on a three day rockfish trip, worked great. Many of the guys on the trip laughed at first, but after a few drops down in the deeper spots using 24-32oz weights on some monster reds they started warming up and asking questions.

Just a thought...

Saba Slayer · 02-23-2022, 10:02 AM

Like PapaDave I've gone electric also...

I have a bad case of arthritis in both wrists and thumbs...so the Diawa Tanacom 500 is my choice for rockfishing...when it comes to prospecting a new deep area I have no problem sending 8oz. or more down 400'...and it's a level wind...

I added a Hobie connector to the power cable and I use an old Hobie battery under the seat of my PA and it lasts me all day and my hands are happy...

02-22-2022, 07:50 AM	#6
daperrin www.TheKayakLaunch Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Orange County Posts: 241	Thanks for the insight guys. Will do some additional research based on the tips. __________________ David P YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thekayaklaunch https://www.instagram.com/thekayaklaunch

02-23-2022, 07:30 AM	#8
PapaDave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 1,474	Rockfish setup... Personally, since the depth we are able to fish is deeper, I've gone electric. https://smile.amazon.com/Shimano-PLE...%2C146&sr=8-18 A bit higher in price then a manual reel but well worth it. The rod it is mounted on is an Ugly Stik heavy jigging rod, although I'm not sure if you can find them any more. There are other brands of reels in that same price range too. https://www.tackledirect.com/ugly-st...sting-rod.html You can get the batteries online as well... https://smile.amazon.com/FengWings-R...s%2C227&sr=8-6 The battery will last through a single day of fishing but it's a good idea to have backups. I also found one on eBay that lasts about a day and a half of serious use... https://www.ebay.com/itm/292817690384 Took this out on a three day rockfish trip, worked great. Many of the guys on the trip laughed at first, but after a few drops down in the deeper spots using 24-32oz weights on some monster reds they started warming up and asking questions. Just a thought... __________________ So long and thanks for all the fish...

02-15-2022, 01:17 PM	#1
jruiz Large Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: La Verne, CA Posts: 1,011	No specific recommendation other than a high gear ratio and fishing with braid.

02-15-2022, 02:01 PM	#2
JohnMckroidJr Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,963	It has been decades since I rockcodded on the West Coast, but If I were to target deep water Rockfish, I would use a slow taper rod, 7ft or shorter because a fast taper rod will be more difficult to feel the strikes. A 2-speed reel using high speed when no fish are on the line, and low gear for when winding up fish. A reel with a long handle or a custom longer handle crank for easier winding. Since only 2 hooks are allowed, I would probably fish with 20-50lb braid(lighter line for less drift). I would consider rigging a half pool noodle on the kayak rail for a place to rest the rod while cranking up fish. Two-speed reels for under 40lb line are unnecessary if one is a strong, seasoned angler. With that in mind, would probably opt for a 1-speed reel if fishing lighter lines. Back when 2:1 gear ratios were the norm for rockcodding, if one reeled up too fast, the fish would sometimes spin-off. It is always better to wind up slow and steady when reeling up rockfish. In the '70s, one could catch rockfish using cigarette butts for bait. My buddy once caught his limit of half-day boat rockcod using a cut-off broomstick for a rod, u-nails for guides, and a Penn Del Mar reel secured with electric tape --LOL. I still have my Hermosa Tackle Box Rockcod Special - 9ft Roller guide heavy duty Rod with a rail plate for steady cranking and a custom long crank handle 9/0 Penn Senator loaded with 80lb dacron. That was the best outfit to own back in the days of Cowcod and 15 fish limits. If I ever do deep dropping from a boat off Florida, I will use it instead of the electric reels that most Floridians use. Using electricity is cheating.

02-15-2022, 03:40 PM	#3
grey zone Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: san diego Posts: 158	A multitask rod is ideal on a kayak. I fish rockcod with a Calstar 670 rated 20-50lb, and a Avet JX with 50lb braid.

02-21-2022, 06:54 AM	#4
AlwaysFishing Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: On the water Posts: 198	Dave, My go to set is the Okuma PCH Custom 7' 20-50lbs rod and the Penn FTHII15LW. I initially got the Penn FTHII25NSD because I wanted the fast retrieval rate of 42" per revolution but I found it be too much work without the level wind when fishing deep water. I primarily use the FTHII15LW even though it only have 30" per revolution of retrieval rate. I'd go with the FTHII25NSD if you don't need level wind. Both hold a ton of lines so they will work for rock fish. This is what works best for me and the combo was very affordable. -Quang

02-21-2022, 12:23 PM	#5
JohnMckroidJr Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,963	Guiding line on a conventional reel is like riding a bike. Once mastered, one does not think about it, and the thumb guides automatically. Many star-drag conventional reels have the option to adjust the hand crank wider. The wider setting optimizes the easier winding of the reel for reeling up from deep.