8ft vs. 7ft Live Bait Rods for YT ? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Racksticker · 11-07-2014, 12:25 PM

Fishing for YT, do you prefer 7ft or 8ft live bait rod ?

I plan to heading out for YT for the 1st time next season. I'm wondering if the longer 8' deckhand rods are more of a hassle or benefit fighting YT ?

Hunters Pa · 11-07-2014, 12:32 PM

Just make sure whatever butt cap it has on the end will fit in your rodholder

addicted2sp33d · 11-07-2014, 12:39 PM

I use 8' so I can reach the tip around the bow on my yak without having to release my non-cranking hand.

The longer rod also takes the line that much further away from my paddles when I'm trolling an iron.

rossman · 11-07-2014, 12:42 PM

Just make sure it is long enough to get around the bow whole fighting a fish

danjor · 11-07-2014, 03:04 PM

Either as long as it let's you reach across the bow. And don't try to go light with 15lbs test.... Lost a yellow yesterday on 15lbs test, thought it would be fun for fighting rockfish on a party boat until I hooked into a yellow and it broke

makobob · 11-07-2014, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danjor

Either as long as it let's you reach across the bow. And don't try to go light with 15lbs test.... Lost a yellow yesterday on 15lbs test, thought it would be fun for fighting rockfish on a party boat until I hooked into a yellow and it broke

Rock a bye baby or drag just too tight?

chris138 · 11-07-2014, 03:27 PM

The lenth isn't as important as the action. You need a light action rod (15-30lb rating) for spectra, even up to 65 or 80 # braid. You need the soft rod cuz the braid has no stretch so the rod needs to absorb slack in the line.

If you'll be fishing mono on it, then you can use a heavier action rod. If you're truly targeting the big coastal YT, IMO there is no reason to go any lighter than 30lb test.

Personally I like 7' bait sticks. But an 8'er is good for flylining and it can double as a jigstick.

Iceman · 11-07-2014, 03:45 PM

7 footer makes way more sense to me, the extra foot is only helping cast the bait, not usually the way we fish bait from the kayak. Now for casting swimbaits I'd rather have the 8 than the 7.

Cadillyak · 11-07-2014, 05:45 PM

I like the 7ft for bait. Don't really cast bait so 7ft works for me. But as all have stated, make sure it clears the bow.

Racksticker · 11-07-2014, 09:05 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I learned a lot. Glad I asked, before spending the cash.

I've been looking at the Seeker Pinhead rods, 7' and 8', 12-30lb, 15-30lb & 15-40lb deckhand models. They seem light, strong and good for livebait. I'll be buying 2 and now I need to match them up with Avet reels. Its only v more money right ?

I'll be making a better decision now. Thanks for the advice

danjor · 11-08-2014, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by makobob

Rock a bye baby or drag just too tight?

Stale mate for a while, decided to do a bad thing and bump the drag slightly past strike and pop

taggermike · 11-08-2014, 02:32 PM

Longer rods help with casting, not fighting fish. Like others said, the rod needs to be long enough to go around the bow of the yak. Any longer and it's just more leverage on the fish's side. Mike

11-07-2014, 12:25 PM	#1
Racksticker Junior Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 27	8ft vs. 7ft Live Bait Rods for YT ? Fishing for YT, do you prefer 7ft or 8ft live bait rod ? I plan to heading out for YT for the 1st time next season. I'm wondering if the longer 8' deckhand rods are more of a hassle or benefit fighting YT ?

11-07-2014, 12:42 PM	#4
rossman Marginally Irrelevant Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bahia Asuncion Posts: 936	Just make sure it is long enough to get around the bow whole fighting a fish __________________ "When beholding the tranquil beauty and brilliancy of the ocean’s skin, one forgets the tiger heart that pants beneath it; and would not willingly remember that this velvet paw but conceals a remorseless fang. " — Herman Melville Y'all come see me now, hear!

11-07-2014, 03:45 PM	#8
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,943	7 footer makes way more sense to me, the extra foot is only helping cast the bait, not usually the way we fish bait from the kayak. Now for casting swimbaits I'd rather have the 8 than the 7. __________________

11-07-2014, 05:45 PM	#9
Cadillyak Team Get $$ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 841	I like the 7ft for bait. Don't really cast bait so 7ft works for me. But as all have stated, make sure it clears the bow. __________________ The "Y" is silent 2012 Olive PA 12 2011 Papaya Outback

11-07-2014, 12:32 PM	#2
Hunters Pa Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fullerton Posts: 1,358	Just make sure whatever butt cap it has on the end will fit in your rodholder

11-07-2014, 12:39 PM	#3
addicted2sp33d Here fishy fishy fishy... Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 774	I use 8' so I can reach the tip around the bow on my yak without having to release my non-cranking hand. The longer rod also takes the line that much further away from my paddles when I'm trolling an iron.

11-07-2014, 03:04 PM	#5
danjor Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Riverside CA Posts: 673	Either as long as it let's you reach across the bow. And don't try to go light with 15lbs test.... Lost a yellow yesterday on 15lbs test, thought it would be fun for fighting rockfish on a party boat until I hooked into a yellow and it broke

11-07-2014, 03:27 PM	#7
chris138 donkey roper Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pacific Beach Posts: 968	The lenth isn't as important as the action. You need a light action rod (15-30lb rating) for spectra, even up to 65 or 80 # braid. You need the soft rod cuz the braid has no stretch so the rod needs to absorb slack in the line. If you'll be fishing mono on it, then you can use a heavier action rod. If you're truly targeting the big coastal YT, IMO there is no reason to go any lighter than 30lb test. Personally I like 7' bait sticks. But an 8'er is good for flylining and it can double as a jigstick.

11-07-2014, 09:05 PM	#10
Racksticker Junior Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 27	Thanks for all the replies. I learned a lot. Glad I asked, before spending the cash. I've been looking at the Seeker Pinhead rods, 7' and 8', 12-30lb, 15-30lb & 15-40lb deckhand models. They seem light, strong and good for livebait. I'll be buying 2 and now I need to match them up with Avet reels. Its only v more money right ? I'll be making a better decision now. Thanks for the advice

11-08-2014, 02:32 PM	#12
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	Longer rods help with casting, not fighting fish. Like others said, the rod needs to be long enough to go around the bow of the yak. Any longer and it's just more leverage on the fish's side. Mike