I'm not new to rod building, but new to fly fishing. I saw a recent post where someone suggested a longer rod, 10' or so if fishing from a float tube. I thought this was relevant as my fishing consists of 70% kayak, 30% boat and I'm having a little trouble switching from yard casting to sitting in a kayak when it really counts. I hadn't considered a longer rod, like a spey rod or the like to account for sitting down. I rarely need to cast longer than about 50' but the lack of height seems to make any casting errors much worse.

I fish inshore Florida for reds, specks, flounder, & sometimes bass if it makes any difference. Thanks for any insight or thoughts on this subject.

Steve

You may want to consider having a rod that's long enough to allow you to lead or follow a fish around the bow or the stern, instead of having to pass a shorter rod underneath the boat.

I've never seen any need to alter anything else as it relates to kayak fishing.

Casting accuracy in a kayak will come to you through repetition. Do it enough and you'll be fine.

.........

Do your yard practice on your knees. Also use the stripping basket for practice if you are using it in your boat.

Regards,
Todd Vivian
Mud Hole Custom Tackle

todd@mudhole.com

Thanks Tom & Todd,

You know, I think I'm going to get the lawn chairs out for the next casting session, can't imagine what the neighbors will think!! Just sitting on my knees would still put me quite a bit higher than I would normally be sitting in a kayak. At first, i liked the idea of a longer rod, but now it seems like it would be a band-aid for my casting malfunctions. A normal 9' rod should be fine for 50-60' even sitting down.

Tom, my kayak is 12' so no problems leading fish around the bow. That has been a big selling point to many of my kayak customers though.

I'm still open to hear from anyone who's tried it.

Steve, why not just sit in the kayak out in the yard for practice, or just sit on the ground with your feet out in front of you. Wouldn't either of these ways simulate fishing from a kayak?

That would work, however, I've seen too many plastic boats break from this, they're just not made for it. I still think my main problem is getting used to the mechanics of fly-casting.

Maybe at the next Expo (Thanks Tom) I'll pick up a cheap spey blank and give it a shot.

I use a 7"6" flyrod in my yak. It's a Temple Fork and works just fine. I have also used my 9' T&T rod . The shorter rod works well a close distances. The biggest problem is line control. I've tried a towel and a stripping basket to control the line but I now let the line over the side to control it. Hope this helps. Bill

It is definitely something that takes time to feel comfortable doing and but it will happen, stick to it and you will build your confidence to make accurate casts when you need to without even thinking about it. Fishing from a kayak, as you know, presents a ton of advantages, keep doing what you're doing and you'll have a blast!!

Tight Lines and Bull's-eyes,

Get Bit Outdoors
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I fly fish from a kayak or a float tube often. I know I am going against the crowd but I prefer a shorter rod not long. The long rod makes landing larger fish difficult and I am ofter afraid of breaking the rod due to "high sticking". I am currently using 9' rods but once Temple Forks releases their 8' 6 and 8wt blanks later this year I will be building one. I make the majority of my casts side arm in the 30 - 50' range. I really think your best bet is to work on your casting skills. In particular work on shooting line. If you learn to do that you are only make one or two false casts without much line in the air. The beauty of doing that is it will help all of your fishing not just when sitting down.

Quinn

I find an 8'6" to 9' rod to be the best for kayak fishing. It needs to be long enough to keep the line off the water and reach around the bow but not so long it is hard to land the fish in a sitting position.