Inexpensive, lightweight Kayak Rods?

Ditto.  I love my Trevala, but I'm eyeing the new Okuma kayak rod.  It has a lot of features that would have built into a kayak specific rod -- floatation, lightweight, lots of guides, nice action, even a ring for a rod leash.

Word. Trevalas are awesome jigging rods. My 70ML is epic for lighter jigs.  I use my Kunz for heavier jigs...a perfect pair.  The Okuma rods do look interesting.

When I hear light and inexpensive, the first thing that comes to mind is the Ugly Stick Tiger Light. I absolutely love these rods. They're super light and retail for like 59 bucks.
Unfortunately, they don't make a heavy 6 footer. I really really like short rods for kayaking. In fact, I don't use anything longer than 7ft anymore. Unless, of course, I'm flyfishing for trout!

PK

Sports Authority and others sell Shimano Solara rods for $12-14.  Cork handles, great action, and cheap enough to equip your yak with four and a spare.  The weakness that I see in the design is the guides but for the price it is a great rod with a lot of control.  I like to pair them with a Shimano Sienna spinning reel.

Well I have to post that I found a Trevala that I wouldn't mind trying out for rockfish. It's certainly lost some the progressiveness, or maybe it's just because it's rated for 80-200 lb braid? Anyway, it was about 6'6" and didn't feel mushy at the least. Maybe hang a 100 lb tuna on it?

The thing about this rod though, is that it probably isn't light, and it's certainly not cheap, at $149. I make the comment about weight, as I recently purchased an 8' Teramar for AK. Using non-calibrated hands, I couldn't discern much weight difference between the shorter Trevala and the longer Terramar.

http://www.histackleboxshop.com/Shimano-Inshore-Rod-TMC80MH-p/shimano-inshore%20tmc80mh.htm

This Teramar is certainly not cheap at $149, is not quite the meatstick that the Musky rods are, but I'm kind of liking it for the fact that it takes a clamp on reel. I get to put the reel exactly where I want it. So I get to experiment with a shorter butt, longer forend, or vice versa. I seriously doubt that I'll run out of lifting power with this rod, either. I'm not saying it's the be-all and end-all, but maybe something for folks to consider?

Regards,
Scott

For freshwater I use the Shimano Clarus 6'6" spinning and 6'6" casting 2pc rods (~$70).  These rods are great and I love the easy transport.  For the salt I use a Bass Pro Heavy 3pc travel rod that was also about $120, but I can take it nearly anywhere without all the hassel of a one piece rod...

bass pro rod
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_89493_151002001_151000000_151002000_151-2-1

Clarus rods (I got mine at fishermans warehouse)
http://fish.shimano.com/catalog/fish/products/group_detail.jsp?JSESSIONID=GLll2wGwhKLyQlh5D61RGljGPJFW35WLPTvVvZ0QKspvnGTZrQVv!688062472&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302036714&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181270&bmUID=1187751269561
 and
http://fish.shimano.com/catalog/fish/products/group_detail.jsp?JSESSIONID=GLll2wGwhKLyQlh5D61RGljGPJFW35WLPTvVvZ0QKspvnGTZrQVv!688062472&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302036713&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181270&bmUID=1187751269561

Have fun

Jim

The dblue rod arrived yesterday...  It's the perfect length at 6'8" and very lightweight, yet with more backbone than the ugly stik.  It's going to be a blast battling lings and butts with this thing!

I looked for Solarus rods at Sports Authority, but they didn't have any.  I prefer a 1-piece rod anyway, though. 

I really don't think these dblues can be beat for the price.

I'm sure that rod will be great.

for fun, here is a link to the rod erik made me last winter.  I had some particular requests
like floating, >8 feet, no corrosion, stowable.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,6838.0.html



I have used it all this year and it is a very comfy versatile kayak inshore rod.

there are some happy accidents with this rod, like the long foregrip for flotation also
makes a great support for the rod when trooching.

Also the spiral wrap guides work well with a two piece. no twisting of the upper section.
secondly, when trooching, the rod stays upright in your lap because the line comes off
the bottom of the rod.

likewise when trolling the reel stays facing you without a gimbal or other way to lock the rod
position.

also, erik's drilled trigger for a rod leash and hook holder seems like a way better idea than
what they did on okuma's kayak rod.

I can tell you from using it all year that the leash location works super smoothly.

this is a rod that has made me happy all year with these little things that you don't realize until you fish with it for a while.

Not cheap, but no more than a calstar graphiter.

also, erik's drilled trigger for a rod leash and hook holder seems like a way better idea than
what they did on okuma's kayak rod.

I copied this idea from EK as well - I have drilled holes into all my baitcasting rods BUT I use it for rod tie downs instead of hook keepers 

also, erik's drilled trigger for a rod leash and hook holder seems like a way better idea than
what they did on okuma's kayak rod.

I copied this idea from EK as well - I have drilled holes into all my baitcasting rods BUT I use it for rod tie downs instead of hook keepers 

the trigger on my rod is bigger than normal and points the other way, it's more of a hand rest.

so he drilled two holes. one for the rod leash and a smaller one for a hook keeper.

the hook keeper is one that you have to remember you are using of course.

Ditto.  I love my Trevala, but I'm eyeing the new Okuma kayak rod.  It has a lot of features that would have built into a kayak specific rod -- floatation, lightweight, lots of guides, nice action, even a ring for a rod leash.

Word.   The Okuma rods do look interesting.

I'll let you guys know how it handles my 30lb.Ling (after i pick it up from OPS in Sept.) GOOD OL'ELK Raffle!

I emailed the folks at dblue to see if they planned on making a saltwater kayak rod.

http://www.dbluefishing.com

I think a 7' 1-piece rod with the same specs as their boat casting rods would be the perfect light saltwater kayak rod.  That TC4 stuff is light and tuff.

Would need a different butt, though, to fit in most rod holders.

They say they are on it, and will offer one soon.