I have a local canoe and kayak dealer that was asking about rods for kayak fishing. I have never been in a kayak, and was wondering what you would look for in a kayak rod design. Freshwater fishing, one model for panfish, one for bass-walleye.

Fairly short butt grip, moderate action rod, durable build (low modulus). Kayaks = high sticking ... plan for it by building an accommodating rod.

If I remeber right Marc, the article on smallmouth river rods in Volume 7 Issue 1 will be a good place to start. I believe the rod described there, by Tom, was for kayak fishing.

I see no reason to build a kayak rod any different than any other rod. In fact, I think folks wanting "kayak rods" are looking at the wrong aspects of things to make different.

What a kayak rod needs, is somewhere convenient to hook a rod leash, a butt that can be easily removed from a plastic rod holder, etc.

As far as the rod length, butt grip length, etc., I don't do anything different. I build the rods to suit the fishing I'm doing.

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i think of two things that would make a particular rod not suitable for me in a kayak.

i don't want the butt getting caught up in my fishing vest or PFD and I want it long enough to reach around the bow/stern if necesary. otherwise, its the same.

Is there any benefit to a kayak rod being a 2 pc. over a 1 pc.?

Only in terms of transporting it, but many kayaks have the ability to transport full length rods inside their hulls - we've done this with our Tarpons for years; the rods go inside the hull during the time spent getting to and from the water. Hard to get the rods out of the hull while on the water, of course, in which case I can see the benefit of the 2 piece models. Otherwise you just take them out prior to launching and set them in your rod holders.

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A butt grip of 10" or less works best for me. I prefer multi-piece rods whenever possible for safer transportation. When I am out on the water it is usually for a couple of hours and I don't store the rod during that time. A rod leash is vital and a Scotty rod mount makes life very pleasant. For fly fishing I go with 8'6" or 9 footers. Casting or spinning are fine with 7' lengths. You can always rotate the yak to prevent a problem with the line clearing the bow. You did say Freshwater.. so unless you're going after Sturgeon you will probably not be dealing with enormous forces... not like fighting a Thresher where you might get into some hairy situations.

You ought to try your hand at Kayak fishing when you get a chance. It really is a great way to go.

Dave

A butt grip of 10" or less works best for me. I prefer multi-piece rods whenever possible for safer transportation. When I am out on the water it is usually for a couple of hours and I don't store the rod during that time. A rod leash is vital and a Scotty rod mount makes life very pleasant. For fly fishing I go with 8'6" or 9 footers. Casting or spinning are fine with 7' lengths. You can always rotate the yak to prevent a problem with the line clearing the bow. You did say Freshwater.. so unless you're going after Sturgeon you will probably not be dealing with enormous forces... not like fighting a Thresher where you might get into some hairy situations.

You ought to try your hand at Kayak fishing when you get a chance. It really is a great way to go.

Dave

I am with Gilbert and Jim. If the rear grip is too long, it gets hard to handle the rod from the seated position without catching it in your seat, vest...
Kayak fishing is all about limited space. I fish inshore and usually have about 5 rods. Everythig wants to get caught on everything else. I am finding that the low profile of running guides going all the way up the rod on a simple spiral keeps stored rods from hooking together (I have them in a rack of upright pvc tubes behind my seat while I am paddling). I don't use spinning rods, but can see that (rods getting hung up on each other's lines) as as a possible source of frustration. 8 feet is also the max I am able to load while casting from the seated position and even that is not loaded for a proper cast. 7' works well.