The perfect kayak fishing rod?

  Hey guys!

I may have an opportunity to work with a rod company to design a fishing rod or series of rods for kayak fishing, particularly saltwater fishing in the Pacific Northwest. I wanted to pick your brains about what you’d want to see in the perfect kayak fishing rod. What features are a must?

Years ago, Okuma made a kayak fishing rod that floated, which would be awesome to bring back if the option is there. Seeker had the Beacon with a shorter butt and bright orange color for visibility. So, there’s already some cool ideas, but I feel like there’s room to really dial in something unique and functional for our needs on the water.

Personally, I’ve always loved the feel and action of Shimano Trevala rods, so that’s my starting point. But I’d love to hear what you wish you had in a rod for kayak fishing. Whether it’s specific lengths, action, materials, grip types, or even something out of the box, let me know your thoughts! 

I don't think there is a "perfect" rod for all types of fishing. That's being said,  I would like to have an "almost perfect" rod for kayak fishing that will handle mooching, trolling, jiggling,  and hauling big catches  + unbreakable 

I have enjoyed using slow-pitch jigging rods.

Paul

Edited for clarity in what I like in a kayak rod:

I like length to be long enough to get around the front of the kayak, but not so long as to be overly heavy or make netting fish difficult. Call it 6.5-7.0 feet. I fish as short as 6 (slow jigging) and as long as 9 (salmon trolling downrigger rod).

I like full grip with either foam, x wrap, or graphite/carbon. Split grips sit in the rod holders funny both for storage and trolling. Trigger grips are not ideal for the same reason. I prefer a shorter foregrip, not the super long west coast style grips popular in SoCal.

Shoot I’ve been phasing out rods and replacing them with Edge Rods because I like their grips so much.

Price point is important to a lot of people especially with the risk of losing it overboard on a kayak. I’ll drop $100 in a heartbeat. $200 I gotta think about. But that’s just me. Market research will dictate the rest.

I don’t want to pay extra for a flashy paint job or gimmicky features (your mentioned beacon rod and floating rod. I’m familiar with both. I’ll add the st croix rods with the rod leash loop at the bottom. All dumb)

Some newb is loading up their keyboard getting ready to tell a girl on the internet how to fish, not having any idea 

I still use my old style trevalas all the time. Haven’t worn them out yet! I haven’t used the newer style yet but the price point went up what seems like a lot to me $190. I love buying gear but geeze.

I’ve been using a Daiwa harrier-x in the medium power for I think the last 2 seasons and really like it for halibut and heavier RF stuff. Would probably fish less for salmon well too, but yeah, salmon  I wouldn’t hesitate to use it on small tunas like albacore or schoolie bluefin.

Point of reference for rods: my garage. I own a few.

This might be a good winter thread.

I love the phenix abyss 806 but would love to have similar action and full length grip (best grip around imo) in a 7’6” rod. Floating would be cool. What about a dedicated eye hook for a leash?

I’ve sold a few rods in my day and even caught a few fish here and there, best all around salt rod I’ve ever had was a 7ft cal star 15 - 40 with 6 inches cut off the butt. I’ve caught everything from R.F., Pac Hali, Salmon, Monster Ling, and even 100lb + Threshers and 8 ft sturgeon on this rod, soft enough tip for salmon but enough backbone for the big boys. Also, 6.5 feet should easily get around most modern kayaks (unless you’re “Tiny or G-Whiz” with stubby arms Lol!!!).
Good luck with this project, I’m sure you will get a lot of input.
;0)

What a cool opportunity! Definitely looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

My ultimate saltwater NorCal kayak fishing rod...
I think 8' is just right for a kayak, not too long and not too short.  I like a little faster rod than a lot of folks here, but something in the moderate range would be good for an all-rounder, in say a 15-30lb line rating.  I like a solid foam grip, but it should be narrow enough to fit in a standard Scotty rod holder. A gimbal butt is nice to keep the reel right side up when trolling. I think about 15" butt end is just right for a kayak rod, and maybe 5" or so of grip above the reel for good leverage on a big fish.  Hook holder is a must, and single piece eyes for extra durability would be nice.

For reference, I currently use an 8' 12-30lb Ugly Stick Tiger for trolling/drifting, and a 7' 15-40lb Ugly Stick Tiger for jigging. I think something exactly in between those two would be a very good rod for pretty much everything.

I agree with 3$J - a kayak should probably not cost a lot. Lost gear is inevitable in this sport. Hence, why most of my rods are Ugly Sticks and Okumas.

A durable good action 8’ ft rod that can take a beating…if the Trevala ML had an 8ft…I’d be all over it.

I primarily use Trevala rods for everything but salmon. I see some rods that have tangle proof guides. I don’t know how well they work, but after having the guides stripped off by a snag it would be a nice feature. Temple Reef has their SPJ Spathe rods that are interlined. I lost one when I was flipped by a sea lion so I guess floating would be nice.

Longer butt rod to put under armpit for leverage but a shorter rod overall like 6.5 to 7’

There’s a serious lack of shorter but sturdy rods out there.

I don’t want to pay extra for a flashy paint job or gimmicky features (your mentioned beacon rod and floating rod. I’m familiar with both. I’ll add the st croix rods with the rod leash loop at the bottom. All dumb)


 

This might be a good winter thread.

Isnt any "kayak" fishing rod kind of gimmicky lol?

Perfect rod has been made and sold for a while
UGLY Stick
Just pick the one to meet individual needs
They have a good selection and can set up separate rods for each different fish you are targeting

I'm also a Trevala user. I have a 7' Light and 7' ML. The light has a more sensitive tip and goes a bit more bendo - but has held up on large fish up to a 5.5' Soupfin. The ML is better for jigging, but I bet a Harrier is better for that. I have used the Light for salmon trolling, but there are better rods for that.
The guides catch braid sometimes while jigging, so the sloping type guides that don't catch line would be better.
I have a spiral wrapped (guides slowly spiral 1/2 way around so they face down at the tip) kokanee rod that is amazing. Would it not make sense to do spiral wrap on a jigging rod as well?

I'm also a Trevala user. I have a 7' Light and 7' ML. The light has a more sensitive tip and goes a bit more bendo - but has held up on large fish up to a 5.5' Soupfin. The ML is better for jigging, but I bet a Harrier is better for that. I have used the Light for salmon trolling, but there are better rods for that.
The guides catch braid sometimes while jigging, so the sloping type guides that don't catch line would be better.
I have a spiral wrapped (guides slowly spiral 1/2 way around so they face down at the tip) kokanee rod that is amazing. Would it not make sense to do spiral wrap on a jigging rod as well?

This is what I'm believing.  A spiral wrap on a shorter rod has done me well but the one I own is a bit, just a bit too heavy, but I use it and love it.  6' 3" but a beast.  I've caught sturgeon on it.  My lighter, way lighter, slow pitch jigger held well for my 40" hali but I wish it was spiral wrapped.