Surface iron rod opinion - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

ysmoose · 11-10-2015, 11:17 PM

Thanks guys for the input guys. So, Phenix Abyss it is. I was just a little concerned because some guys think it's too noodly for jig stick, but I hear just as much good things about it. I've pulled on one, and although it's on the parabolic side, I kinda like it.

I really like the older Teramars (brown) than the new ones which are a little too stiff for me..the older ones are harder to find especially in the size I want.

I actually own a Saltist in the 30 size, and I like it a lot. I might consider going with the 35 over Penn Fathom 25n. I think both are great reels and can't go wrong with either one.

taggermike · 11-11-2015, 08:52 AM

The abyss is a parabolic rod, similar to classic all glass rods. Choice of fast or slow rods is a personal preference. Both have the potential to cast the same distance. I find slower rods cast lighter lures a bit better. Faster rods let you put more pressure on the fish. Which can be a mixed blessing on a kayak. I have pulled as hard as I could on my ulua with out maxing it out. My first fish on the abyss was a mean 27 lb yellow. I reached the point where pulling harder just bent the rod more but didn't put more pressure on the fish. Both of those situations were on boats. I cant see that happening on a kayak.
A buddy of mine has maybe 6 different jigs sticks. Including a full 10' ulua (fast rod) an old 10' harnell (super parabolic) and a 10' fiber glass boat antenna converted in to a jig stick. Seriously. (Almost unbelievably parabolic, think bull whip). I've used em all and they all cast great. Again personal preferance.
Maybe you can tell, long rod surface iron fishing is my favorite style. Mike

surfisher · 11-11-2015, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ysmoose

Thanks guys for the input guys. So, Phenix Abyss it is. I was just a little concerned because some guys think it's too noodly for jig stick, but I hear just as much good things about it. I've pulled on one, and although it's on the parabolic side, I kinda like it.

I really like the older Teramars (brown) than the new ones which are a little too stiff for me..the older ones are harder to find especially in the size I want.

I actually own a Saltist in the 30 size, and I like it a lot. I might consider going with the 35 over Penn Fathom 25n. I think both are great reels and can't go wrong with either one.

If you're looking for those older terra mars i know Anglers Tackle in Oceanside still carries them! Or at least 2 weeks ago they had them, may be worth giving them a call and seeing what they have! Like Mike said above, long rod fishing is so much fun, but it all comes down to preference.

phisher_man bossin-it · 11-12-2015, 03:51 PM

Honestly the abyss rods are very soft and will put some extra strain on you in the kayak. I had a 909 abyss(20-50) for a short bit and after catching a couple fish on it I did not like how soft even phenixs' heaviest model was. I bought the heaviest of their 9' models because I knew how light the abyss series was. It fishes 30lb decent but it is too soft for 40lb in my opinion. I was casting salas 7x, salas j-pot, and jri 7s. I don't use tady very often with the exception of a few older c's but the jri is almost exactly the same size,shape, and weight as a tady 45 and it casted very well on the abyss.I do use a teramar 90h for my kayak mostly and it is a much faster rod I actually have enjoyed fishing this rod on my kayak most. Extremely lightweight, great lifting power, great hook up and you can fish a range of lure and line sizes. I have fished everything from tady aa all the way up to Starman 112's on lines ranging from 25 to 40lb and the rod handles it all very well.

Also been using a 690j a lot this year as a dedicated 30lb rod and have also really loved. This is a glass rod so it is more parabolic but slings a jig for days.

I have been through quite a few reels and the fathoms(I have a 25n and a 30) are my favorite reel for casting a surface iron at this time! They spin better than most reels I've seen even after upgrades have been made to other reels. I also fish the toriums (16/20) and the saltist( i have the old silver models it will be a 30t) and they work great too. Best thing is the price tag on these reels is reasonable for most to afford. Don't know anything the seagate but have been wanting to try one. Newell are great too if you like old 332 or 338.

Hope this helps in your decision.

goletaslim · 11-13-2015, 06:50 PM

thought i would add my two cents.....i have a boat jig setup and a kayak jig setup, the difference being the cost of each setup. kayak fishing will torture your equipment and heavy equipment is really not needed as you will get pulled around with 30lb test and matching drag. on my yak i use a lexa 400 with 50lb braid to 40lb fluro matched with a graphtech gis80m 15-25lb rating. its cheap, smooth, and i know it can handle 30lb yellows no problem while still being a relatively cheap setup.

Cjopson · 11-15-2015, 09:11 AM

I am a big fan of the long rods. I have a new 10' that throws 7x's and 45's easy as pie and it has lots of power for pulling. If you are just looking for something solid to start using I like the seeker black classic 6490 (9') or the Calstar 100J or 100J Mag (Both 10'). The Mag is lighter but more expensive since its a mix of glass and composite but both have great action. For a reel I would go with a Daiwa Saltist BG 40. I am currently using the Sealine 40X and it does the job as well. I am going to upgrade to a Shimano Torium 30 soon. I personally am not a huge fan of the Seagates. They are much more liable to break while I have seen countless sealines and saltists take beatings and keep going, and if you are kayak fishing they will take the salt. (As long as you rinse them)

11-10-2015, 11:17 PM	#1
ysmoose Junior Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 23	Thanks guys for the input guys. So, Phenix Abyss it is. I was just a little concerned because some guys think it's too noodly for jig stick, but I hear just as much good things about it. I've pulled on one, and although it's on the parabolic side, I kinda like it. I really like the older Teramars (brown) than the new ones which are a little too stiff for me..the older ones are harder to find especially in the size I want. I actually own a Saltist in the 30 size, and I like it a lot. I might consider going with the 35 over Penn Fathom 25n. I think both are great reels and can't go wrong with either one.

11-11-2015, 08:52 AM	#2
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	The abyss is a parabolic rod, similar to classic all glass rods. Choice of fast or slow rods is a personal preference. Both have the potential to cast the same distance. I find slower rods cast lighter lures a bit better. Faster rods let you put more pressure on the fish. Which can be a mixed blessing on a kayak. I have pulled as hard as I could on my ulua with out maxing it out. My first fish on the abyss was a mean 27 lb yellow. I reached the point where pulling harder just bent the rod more but didn't put more pressure on the fish. Both of those situations were on boats. I cant see that happening on a kayak. A buddy of mine has maybe 6 different jigs sticks. Including a full 10' ulua (fast rod) an old 10' harnell (super parabolic) and a 10' fiber glass boat antenna converted in to a jig stick. Seriously. (Almost unbelievably parabolic, think bull whip). I've used em all and they all cast great. Again personal preferance. Maybe you can tell, long rod surface iron fishing is my favorite style. Mike

11-12-2015, 03:51 PM	#4
phisher_man bossin-it Junior Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: North county, SD, CA Posts: 16	Honestly the abyss rods are very soft and will put some extra strain on you in the kayak. I had a 909 abyss(20-50) for a short bit and after catching a couple fish on it I did not like how soft even phenixs' heaviest model was. I bought the heaviest of their 9' models because I knew how light the abyss series was. It fishes 30lb decent but it is too soft for 40lb in my opinion. I was casting salas 7x, salas j-pot, and jri 7s. I don't use tady very often with the exception of a few older c's but the jri is almost exactly the same size,shape, and weight as a tady 45 and it casted very well on the abyss.I do use a teramar 90h for my kayak mostly and it is a much faster rod I actually have enjoyed fishing this rod on my kayak most. Extremely lightweight, great lifting power, great hook up and you can fish a range of lure and line sizes. I have fished everything from tady aa all the way up to Starman 112's on lines ranging from 25 to 40lb and the rod handles it all very well. Also been using a 690j a lot this year as a dedicated 30lb rod and have also really loved. This is a glass rod so it is more parabolic but slings a jig for days. I have been through quite a few reels and the fathoms(I have a 25n and a 30) are my favorite reel for casting a surface iron at this time! They spin better than most reels I've seen even after upgrades have been made to other reels. I also fish the toriums (16/20) and the saltist( i have the old silver models it will be a 30t) and they work great too. Best thing is the price tag on these reels is reasonable for most to afford. Don't know anything the seagate but have been wanting to try one. Newell are great too if you like old 332 or 338. Hope this helps in your decision.

11-13-2015, 06:50 PM	#5
goletaslim Junior Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Goleta Posts: 16	thought i would add my two cents.....i have a boat jig setup and a kayak jig setup, the difference being the cost of each setup. kayak fishing will torture your equipment and heavy equipment is really not needed as you will get pulled around with 30lb test and matching drag. on my yak i use a lexa 400 with 50lb braid to 40lb fluro matched with a graphtech gis80m 15-25lb rating. its cheap, smooth, and i know it can handle 30lb yellows no problem while still being a relatively cheap setup.

11-15-2015, 09:11 AM	#6
Cjopson Junior Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 5	I am a big fan of the long rods. I have a new 10' that throws 7x's and 45's easy as pie and it has lots of power for pulling. If you are just looking for something solid to start using I like the seeker black classic 6490 (9') or the Calstar 100J or 100J Mag (Both 10'). The Mag is lighter but more expensive since its a mix of glass and composite but both have great action. For a reel I would go with a Daiwa Saltist BG 40. I am currently using the Sealine 40X and it does the job as well. I am going to upgrade to a Shimano Torium 30 soon. I personally am not a huge fan of the Seagates. They are much more liable to break while I have seen countless sealines and saltists take beatings and keep going, and if you are kayak fishing they will take the salt. (As long as you rinse them)