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

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...

daperrin · 02-25-2022, 01:03 PM

Wow, I had not really considered an electric reel as I remember them being too big and expensive. Its been a while since I last used them. But the last time I was out and had to crank up from 400 ft several times with no tacos, I got a little irritated

So ya, that makes since, especially now that I see the reel size can be pretty small and the cost is within reason. I did some additional research and as I do, created an article for my blog.

https://thekayaklaunch.com/electric-fishing-reel/

Thanks for the input.

Mahigeer · 02-25-2022, 06:17 PM

Here is mine:
31-Shimano Beastmaster 9000 electric reel. Saved my back each time we checked bait and hooked fish.
The roller bearing guides also made the reeling up or dropping down more efficient and smooth.

I was so glad that the batteries lasted all day.

15-The last fish of the last day and the biggest of the two trips. Estimated 196 lbs.

From my Alaska trip.

I recently was on a sand dab fishing trip. Fishing in 100 M (300 ft.) depths. Boy did I have fun pushing the button and bring in a 2 lbs. sinker up to 6 M (18 ft.) of the boat.
I made a case for the batteries, but it was not too portable. Working on a modification. Will report on it after experiment.

JohnMckroidJr · 02-26-2022, 02:55 AM

Nice Halibut! For those with a bad back, arthritis or some other handicap, the electric reels are a good workaround. For the rest of us who are fully capable, apathy is a means to disability. If you don't use it, you might lose it.

Electric reels are super popular for deepwater swordfishing off Florida. Those who do wind the swords up by hand find they can land a fish in 1/2 - 2/3rds of the time that it takes with the electric reels,

plus if it is a trophy record, it can be submitted.

vincentek9 · 02-28-2022, 10:21 AM

Your standard dropper loop rods should work well. If you want a dedicated rockfish rig, 6-7' rods in a 20-60# class depending on the amount of weight used. doesn't need to be a big brand name. although my favorite has been composite rods with hybrid glass tips for sensitivity. full glass rods are great too.

If you have a reel full of spectra, i'd use that. levelwinds are very helpful if you don't want to thumb the line in manually. electric reels will save your arm, and you don't need a damn Lindgren as you aren't trying to chase trophy swordfish.

my personal go-to for rockfish, halibut, and certain dropper loop fish has been:
Quantum Boca BCC66-90 + Daiwa lexa 400 pwr-p (kayak and lighter weight fishing, particularly killer for halibut fishing)
Cousins Tackle CJB 65XL + Daiwa Saltist 40 with 4.9 ratio (boat fishing for bigger stuff and heavy weight sinkers)

daperrin · 03-08-2022, 06:56 PM

An article on rock cod fishing to round things off.
rock cod fishing

02-23-2022, 07:30 AM	#1
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...

02-25-2022, 01:03 PM	#3
daperrin www.TheKayakLaunch Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Orange County Posts: 241	Wow, I had not really considered an electric reel as I remember them being too big and expensive. Its been a while since I last used them. But the last time I was out and had to crank up from 400 ft several times with no tacos, I got a little irritated So ya, that makes since, especially now that I see the reel size can be pretty small and the cost is within reason. I did some additional research and as I do, created an article for my blog. https://thekayaklaunch.com/electric-fishing-reel/ Thanks for the input. __________________ David P YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thekayaklaunch https://www.instagram.com/thekayaklaunch Last edited by daperrin; 02-25-2022 at 01:20 PM.

02-25-2022, 06:17 PM	#4
Mahigeer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,910	Here is mine: 31-Shimano Beastmaster 9000 electric reel. Saved my back each time we checked bait and hooked fish. The roller bearing guides also made the reeling up or dropping down more efficient and smooth. I was so glad that the batteries lasted all day. 15-The last fish of the last day and the biggest of the two trips. Estimated 196 lbs. From my Alaska trip. I recently was on a sand dab fishing trip. Fishing in 100 M (300 ft.) depths. Boy did I have fun pushing the button and bring in a 2 lbs. sinker up to 6 M (18 ft.) of the boat. I made a case for the batteries, but it was not too portable. Working on a modification. Will report on it after experiment. Last edited by Mahigeer; 02-25-2022 at 06:26 PM.

02-28-2022, 10:21 AM	#6
vincentek9 MAYNEE-YAK Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: So Cal Posts: 533	Your standard dropper loop rods should work well. If you want a dedicated rockfish rig, 6-7' rods in a 20-60# class depending on the amount of weight used. doesn't need to be a big brand name. although my favorite has been composite rods with hybrid glass tips for sensitivity. full glass rods are great too. If you have a reel full of spectra, i'd use that. levelwinds are very helpful if you don't want to thumb the line in manually. electric reels will save your arm, and you don't need a damn Lindgren as you aren't trying to chase trophy swordfish. my personal go-to for rockfish, halibut, and certain dropper loop fish has been: Quantum Boca BCC66-90 + Daiwa lexa 400 pwr-p (kayak and lighter weight fishing, particularly killer for halibut fishing) Cousins Tackle CJB 65XL + Daiwa Saltist 40 with 4.9 ratio (boat fishing for bigger stuff and heavy weight sinkers) __________________

03-08-2022, 06:56 PM	#7
daperrin www.TheKayakLaunch Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Orange County Posts: 241	An article on rock cod fishing to round things off. rock cod fishing __________________ David P YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thekayaklaunch https://www.instagram.com/thekayaklaunch

02-26-2022, 02:55 AM	#5
JohnMckroidJr Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,963	Nice Halibut! For those with a bad back, arthritis or some other handicap, the electric reels are a good workaround. For the rest of us who are fully capable, apathy is a means to disability. If you don't use it, you might lose it. Electric reels are super popular for deepwater swordfishing off Florida. Those who do wind the swords up by hand find they can land a fish in 1/2 - 2/3rds of the time that it takes with the electric reels, plus if it is a trophy record, it can be submitted.