Ideal kayak casting fishing rod?

Hi, I hope that everyone is having a good weekend. I recently purchased a used ok 15, and I am new to the world of kayak fishing. I'm hoping that some of you will be kind enough to share your experienced opinions in regards to ideal fishing gear setup.

I've always been a spinning reel guy, but I recently purchased an abu garcia inshore to use specifically for kayak fishing, along with using spinnging gear.

I live out here in the Monterey Bay, as I plan to do most of my kayak fishing here. Currently, I do a lot of rockfishing from rocks/shore, as well as surf fishing. For Kayak fishing what would be the ideal fishing gear to use (both spinning and casting) here in these waters and to match my ag inshore reel?

I would greatly appreciate it if anyone can give me their sincere advice. Thank you all in advance!! 

Nothing wrong with and Ambassadeur loaded with 20# and a fast 7" rod, like an ugly stick.

Good luck and keep us posted.

(PS   penn 500......)


Allen

Welcome to the madness shim!!

For yak fishing, I use an array of Penn Squidders and Jigmasters. They are cheap, easy to rebuild and I've never had one fail me on the water.

I use Lamiglass rods and Ugly Sticks. They too are fairly inexpensive and sturdy.

Hope to fish with you soon!

Rich

yea i have caught a lot of fish on my abu and ugly stick good luck on the fishing

Wow, thank you all for being so kind and sharing your preferences in fishing setup as well as welcoming me to this "madness". Believe me, I know it's gonna be very addictive. For the past year, I've been going out fishing 2/3 times a wk lol!!  It's gonna be hard to pry me off the yak

It seems that all have agreed that the ugly stik may be the way to go. What length, rod action/rate should I go with to match it with my abu garcia inshore?

Thank you all again, and I truly look forward to meeting /fishing with many of you!!

Hi Daniel! 

Look for a rod in the 6.5 to 7.5ft length, rated for 12-25lb line (maybe even heavier like 15-40lb) that has a fast action [aka kinda stiff = only the top 1/4 bends under normal pressure]. Length doesn't matter as much when kayak rockfishing because casting is optional, and not always necessary...you just freespool and drop your bait straight down. Plus, it's much easier to manuever in kelp and lip the fish with a shorter rod.
I like the versatility of the Shimano Trevala rods (I have the 6'6" MH and the 7' ML), as well as a few knockoffs/similarly-constructed rods = Dblue, Salt Striker, etc.
My Revo Inshore is spooled w/50lb Spiderwire Stealth and matched to my 7' ML Trevala.

If the ocean is rough, only bring 1 rod. But if it's calm enough, I'll bring 3 = a heavy casting setup, my normal casting setup, and a MH spinning combo. The spin combo is normally used for jigging a sabiki or casting lighter lures in the kelp. It's a lot of fun to post-up along the edge of a kelp pocket and throw plastics on a 3/8oz carolina rig. Or just little 1/2oz swimbaits/spoons. And I feel a lot more comfortable throwing the light stuff on a spinning reel.

Let's go fishing!   

Pat,

Thank you very much my brother, not only for all your advices/knowledge, but as well as for the kayak lol!!

I'm sooooo dying to get out on the kayak!! I just bought my FJ/clothing gear, wheeleez, thule roof rack, dry bag/cases, and a few other items.

All I need now are the 2 most important items: PFD and paddle. I'm looking into the werner camano, but trying to find a good deal for it. Right now, my 2 options have been either ebay or using my 20% REI discount.

Would you be able to direct me a better find for paddles?

We most definitely have to go out soon. All these awesome reports/pics and just killing me lol!! Thanks again everyone from the bottom of my heart for welcoming me.

One of the rockfishing guys from PFIC - Welcome aboard!

Why would u need a yak with all of the fish you catch from the shore!  

I'm currently using a baitrunner 8000 with a emcast 10ft surf rod.  Can you tell that I use to fish from shore?  I have a Revo-S, but it's paired with a generic spinning uglystik from wally.  One of the rods that I've been looking into is an uglystik tiger lite.  It looks pretty strong, light and won't break the bank.

For tossing swimbaits, light jigs or live sardines on 20-25# mono, my favorite rod is the Lamiglas Inshore Classic IC 70 MH or IC 76 H. If you build your own rods the IC 84 MH. Not cheap at about $180 but really light in the hand and can cast a country mile. Also made in the USA.

For deepwater jigging using spectra, the trevala or an ugly stick would be good choices. J&H has a 2 ugly stick rods for $70.

http://www.jandh.com/p-1443-shakespeare-ugly-stik-bwc-1100-7-bigwater-casting-rod.aspx

Somebody is going to recommend a Baidarka but I wouldn't buy one because of poor quality guides and blank failures.

scott

Would you be able to direct me a better find for paddles?

You can post a "Wanted: Paddle" post in the classified section.  I've gotten a lot of gear through the NCKA forum's classified section, including 3 kayaks.  I've even gotten some gear for free.

You can also check out the yak shops for used items.   I bought a nice carbon paddle for $50 at HMB Kayaks, and have bought a $200 werner paddle at the end of the season from Sunrise Mountain for $99.

Regarding rod/reels, here's the link to the thread that I posted when I got started- hope it helps.
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,20355.msg207318.html#msg207318

I got started last September, so my posts have a lot of "need advice/recommendation" posts.  The search function on the forum is pretty useful.  My main setup now is a Revo Inshore with a Trevala rod (like the light action), a Shimano Clarus backup rod with Abu Garcia 6000 series casting reel.  The ones sitting in my garage are ugly stick Tiger rod with a Penn jigmaster reel and an Okuma rod/reel combo I bought at Sports Authority for a $100 when getting started.
 

I like to have a backup, so I try & get two setups when I'm "in the market". If you switch back and forth on the water, it's nice to have both reels the same, so you'll know where freespool is, etc. Less work for the brain if the reels are the same type.

I started with a couple of Ugly stik Tiger rods paired with Penn squidder & Jigmaster respectively. Excellent setups, cheap & tough.

Then I went to Daiwa rods paired with Sealine reels. Great rigs but better for larger boat fishing. Also kinda pricey.

Now I've gone to much lighter weight tackle and am using Abu C-series reels spooled with spectra braid. I have one on a 6.5' noodley medium action Ugly Stik bass rod with 20lb line, and the other is on a 7' Sabre by Penn rod with 30lb.

All I need now are the 2 most important items: PFD and paddle. I'm looking into the werner camano, but trying to find a good deal for it. Right now, my 2 options have been either ebay or using my 20% REI discount.
Would you be able to direct me a better find for paddles?

REI has some good deals on Aquabound brand paddles. I have both the Manta Ray and the Eagle Ray. They're fine paddles. After discount, the Manta Ray is like $53 bucks. http://www.rei.com/product/721662
For PFD's you should probably stick with the Extrasport, Stohlquist, Kokatat, and NRS brands IMO.

I agree with the ambasadeur and 7' ugly stick.  That setup is a workhorse.  It's cheap too. 
Welcome

Hey, another PFIC bro with a kayak. Welcome aboard shim. Now you see why I do
most of my fishing on a kayak instead of shore. Very addicting once you get started. Try and attend on some of the hookups especially the events to meet
some super cool folks here. Ops I got side track getting all excited of having
another PFIC to NCKA. About the rod for rockfishing, I love my trevala, super light
and sensitive. I like them so much I bought seven of them in all different weight
class. Good luck to your choices and hope to fish with you soon.

Jedmo

Somebody is going to recommend a Baidarka but I wouldn't buy one because of poor qual
ity guides and blank failures.
scott

I had a 7'6" Baidarka snap on me which they warrantied with no question or problem. When I returned it I took Sean White's advice and went with the 7'0" which he claimed to be bombproof and let me tell you.....IT IS! The 7'0" has a little different construction I believe it is a mix of glass & graphite. The guides have been perfect. I am curious as to the 'poor quality guides' statement as that has not been my experience nor have I read anything about that. I read about guys losing their rods from time to time, or getting caught up in their rod leashes, and it's nice not having to worry about the rod not floating. Only the Baidarka or a Kunz custom gives you that without adding foam.

I just picked up a Shimano Trevala and before I could even use it for the first time the ceramic guide on the tip broke. It may have been cracked already when I bought it as I didn't closely inspect it but I did baby that rod from the store to the water. I also have an Ugly Stick and while it's a good rod it's both heavy & not as sensitive. You already have a killer reel with the Revo Inshore so puttting it on an Ugly Stick might not be the best matchup IMO. If you lived closer to me I would sell you mine.   jim