New guy needs rod suggestions - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

DarthFisherman · 05-17-2012, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tasteslikechikn54

Welcome to the forum.... That, my friend, would depend on how much you wanna spend... I have an avet sx on a custom 8 foot m&m rod, with a fast tapered tip.... It's rated for 12 to 30 lbs. Test, but i have it set up as a kelp cutting rig.... I use 60 lbs. Spectra with approx. 50 yards or so of 30 lbs. Mono topshot... It does the trick, but kayak surf launches are tough on the reels and they require constant maintenance. Especially, if you're flipping in the surf on the way in or out.... Did plenty of that my first couple times at la jolla...

Hope this helps a bit.... Tight lines.

Thanks!

Regarding the rod I never want to spend more than I have to, but at the same time I like the assurance that comes with spending a little more for quality goods.

Excuse the ignorance, but as a kelp cutter setup do you fish that exclusive with irons or live bait? Perhaps both? Your line mix is what I was wanting to do for both, not sure if it applies more to irons or live bait.

tasteslikechikn54 · 05-17-2012, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthFisherman

Thanks!

Regarding the rod I never want to spend more than I have to, but at the same time I like the assurance that comes with spending a little more for quality goods.

Excuse the ignorance, but as a kelp cutter setup do you fish that exclusive with irons or live bait? Perhaps both? Your line mix is what I was wanting to do for both, not sure if it applies more to irons or live bait.

It really won't affect the casting capability of the reel, as long as you got mono topshot.... I don't like using flouro on a casting setup because flouro doesn't have any stretch when casting... I have a seeker black 6'6 with an avet JX that I use for live bait. That setup i have 65 lbs. Spectra and I use about a 5 ft leader of 25 lbs. Flouro.... That works for me.

I hope that helps...

oneyedeer · 05-17-2012, 09:45 PM

Got a brand new calstar grafighter 700l 20-30lb would make a great live bait rod....200 even still got tags on it

William Novotny · 05-18-2012, 08:27 AM

diawa sealines are affordable, tough and come in all gear ratios and sizes. Okuma biadarka rods are affordable and made specifically for kayak fishing. They float and come standard with a leash ring to secure them to your yak. I've gone way past there line rating and landed big fish with them. Good luck and welcome aboard.

taggermike · 05-18-2012, 09:27 AM

There a many choices out there that will fill the needs you mentioned. There are also plenty of use gear available as well. I like graphite bait sticks but about any rod 6-7 feet long rated 20-40lb will work well. You can't beat the SoCal standards of Seeker and CalStar but other brands work well too. As for a jig stick, I like an all glass or composit rod 8-9 feet rate for 40 lb line. I don't think surface iron fishing is a "finesse" technique and use at least 40lb all the time. Again CalStar and seeker have many great rods but Saber and Shimano offer some nice options. ave not fish the PinHead series from Seeker but I have pulled on them and am impresses. They have 3 jig sticks in that series, I think, with the Ulua and the D-8 looking the best. Yak fishing is pretty tough on reels. I have no experience with Avets but If I was going to get some new set ups I might go with the Daiwa Seagates or Saltists. Mike

DarthFisherman · 05-18-2012, 10:35 AM

Thanks for all the input so far, guys.

I have my eye on two Calstar West Coast series rods.

For live:
WC-270-7C
7'
8 S.S. CONV
FUJI
12-30
Fast

For irons:
WC-670-C
7'
8 S.S. CONV
20-50
Fast

Wondering if the Deckhand special would be more appropriate for the iron based off of your guys' suggestion. One in the 8' range.

taggermike · 05-18-2012, 08:40 PM

The deck hand style is better for surface irons generally. You can place the reel at the proper location for your arm legnth and casting style. With the reel seat rods you're locked in to one place. 7 foot will work ok on a kayak although you might have better range and control with a 8 footer. I started jig fishing from party boats where longer rods really help, and of course your actually standing up. When I started yak fishing I kept the same jig rods, CalStar 690J and Seeker Ulua 93H. Added an 8 foot sabre to the line up and cast just fine too. If you have access to a buddy's jig sticks you might want to give them a few cast to see what you like. In So Cal fishing, surface iron rods, reels, and jigs are the perinial hot topic. Mike

05-18-2012, 08:27 AM	#4
William Novotny The carpetbagger Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: tha newps Posts: 1,474	diawa sealines are affordable, tough and come in all gear ratios and sizes. Okuma biadarka rods are affordable and made specifically for kayak fishing. They float and come standard with a leash ring to secure them to your yak. I've gone way past there line rating and landed big fish with them. Good luck and welcome aboard. __________________ "The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope." http://www.badinfluencetattoo.com/gallery.php?artist=21

05-17-2012, 09:45 PM	#3
oneyedeer Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Orange County, ca Posts: 684	Got a brand new calstar grafighter 700l 20-30lb would make a great live bait rod....200 even still got tags on it

05-18-2012, 09:27 AM	#5
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	There a many choices out there that will fill the needs you mentioned. There are also plenty of use gear available as well. I like graphite bait sticks but about any rod 6-7 feet long rated 20-40lb will work well. You can't beat the SoCal standards of Seeker and CalStar but other brands work well too. As for a jig stick, I like an all glass or composit rod 8-9 feet rate for 40 lb line. I don't think surface iron fishing is a "finesse" technique and use at least 40lb all the time. Again CalStar and seeker have many great rods but Saber and Shimano offer some nice options. ave not fish the PinHead series from Seeker but I have pulled on them and am impresses. They have 3 jig sticks in that series, I think, with the Ulua and the D-8 looking the best. Yak fishing is pretty tough on reels. I have no experience with Avets but If I was going to get some new set ups I might go with the Daiwa Seagates or Saltists. Mike

05-18-2012, 10:35 AM	#6
DarthFisherman Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 74	Thanks for all the input so far, guys. I have my eye on two Calstar West Coast series rods. For live: WC-270-7C 7' 8 S.S. CONV FUJI 12-30 Fast For irons: WC-670-C 7' 8 S.S. CONV 20-50 Fast Wondering if the Deckhand special would be more appropriate for the iron based off of your guys' suggestion. One in the 8' range.

05-18-2012, 08:40 PM	#7
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	The deck hand style is better for surface irons generally. You can place the reel at the proper location for your arm legnth and casting style. With the reel seat rods you're locked in to one place. 7 foot will work ok on a kayak although you might have better range and control with a 8 footer. I started jig fishing from party boats where longer rods really help, and of course your actually standing up. When I started yak fishing I kept the same jig rods, CalStar 690J and Seeker Ulua 93H. Added an 8 foot sabre to the line up and cast just fine too. If you have access to a buddy's jig sticks you might want to give them a few cast to see what you like. In So Cal fishing, surface iron rods, reels, and jigs are the perinial hot topic. Mike