The Ideal Rod Length For Kayak Fishing (Based On Your Fishing Style)
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Kayak Fishing, Weekly Newsletter: 7-5-20
Thinking about getting a new rod for your kayak fishing adventures?
One of the most important aspects is the rod length.
The rod length is important with any type of fishing, but it’s especially important with kayak fishing because, unlike a boat, there’s limited room on a kayak.
If you’re sitting down and fishing, the butt of the rod can get caught on your shirt or bump into your stomach, which could be disastrous if you’ve got one shot at the biggest fish of the day.
There are also fishing rods made specifically for kayak fishing, but after using them, I’ve found that they may not be ideal (I’ll explain why in the video).
If you need help choosing what size rod to get for kayak fishing, check out the video below.
Kayak Fishing & The Ideal Rod Length [VIDEO]
Click here to join the Insider Club
When thinking about kayak fishing rods, the length depends on how you fish.
For me, I usually stand up and fish, so length doesn’t really matter.
I usually go with a 7 – 7.5′ rod because they cast farther and more accurately than some of the shorter rods.
However, these rods are hard to skip cast under trees or docks because the rod is so long and you’re so close to the water.
If you do a lot of skip casting, you’ll need to get really good at the sidearm cast.
However, if you usually sit and fish, you might want to go with a shorter rod that’s 6-7′ long.
This is because longer rods have longer butts, and a long rod butt might get in the way when you’re sitting down.
Of course, there are also kayak fishing rods with shorter butts, but I’ve found these rods with disproportionally short butts to be unbalanced.
Conclusion
The ideal rod length for kayak fishing depends on your style of fishing.
If you stand and fish, you can use your typical 7-7.5′ rod, but if you sit and fish it might be better to get a 6-7′ rod.
Have any questions about kayak fishing rods?
Let us know in the comments below!
And if you know someone who’s looking to get a new kayak fishing rod, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
P.S. Want access to our best fishing spots and tips, plus discounts to our online tackle store? Click here to join us in the Insider Club!
Stop Wasting Your Valuable Time On The Water!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish ever trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- 20% OFF ALL of your fishing tackle (rods, reels, line, lures, and more from ALL of the biggest brands in America)
Click here to join today.
Related articles:
Related categories:
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Just wondering if y’all have experience with Fenwick rods. I’ve been watching all the Rod/ reel set up videos y’all have on here and haven’t seen them mentioned. I kayak fish and am looking into a new rod and they caught my eye
I personally haven’t used them. I would be sure to ask in the community to get some more feedback from members and coaches that may have some experience with them:
https://community.saltstrong.com
I went through this Float tube fishing.
Now Kayak.
Float tube 10′, Kayak at least 9′.
Being so close to the water you need a longer rod to get the line up.
Think about it, standing and sitting in or just above the water !
Short rods will get your back cast in the water , ruining the whole project .
Good point on casting! I usually do a sidearm cast so I don’t hit anything that may be stored behind me as well, such as rods in rod holders.
Well guys, I have watched Tony’s video and read all of the comments, clearly no one option fits all situation and anglers. So, in my yak, my solution is 4 rods, 2 at 7ft and 2 at 7.5ft. Like Tony commented, what you have gotten accustom to kind of trumps all the rest. More often casting distance is important, so at least 2 of my rods are longer for distance. Plus, the TFO pro rods have the length with shorter butt/handle ends, covering two key features.
6’6″ is the ticket for me. It’s such a pain in the ass to retie or have to re run the line threw the guides on a bigger rod without dunking you reel.
Good stuff! I’m guilty of having that happen quite a few times.
I use 7-7.5 ft rods. Ive been happy with those. I can fish for crappie bass and little panfish with those sizes also. I actually use the same rods across the board.
Pretty much spot on! A couple of other considerations is your height and the type of lure you’re using. Because I’m short when I’m throwing a lure that requires a rod tip down presentation like topwater or sub surface hard jerk baits, I like a 6’6” to 6’9” rod to keep it from slapping the water. Rod tip up presentations like soft plastics then 7’ or 7’6” all the way. Next time I know I’m going to be skipping I’ll have to remember to bring a shorter rod and see how that works. Thanks for the tip.
No problem Pat! I guess I have just adjusted to using longer rods. My longest is a 7’10 and can still skip and work topwater lures, just more of a side arm technique with the rod close to parallel to the water.
Only other suggestion is to make sure that the rod is long enough that with an easy arm reach you can clear the bow or stern of your kayak when a hooded fish runs to the other side.
For sure!
Great video Tony – one quick question is if there’s a difference between kayak rookies and experienced guys when it comes to the length?
Thanks Jochen!
I wouldn’t say there is a difference, but there is a common misconception that you have to use a shorter rod in a kayak. I have always used 7 to 7’6 rods even when I began so I just became accustomed to it. My first kayak I was restricted to sitting down as well. All depends on what you are comfortable with. If at all possible, I recommend going with 7′ to 7’6
Good stuff, Tony……the longer the rod and lighter the line, the farther the cast, so I use a 7 1/2 to 8 foot rod with 8 lb test braid. It casts a 3/8 oz lure a mile
Thanks Gary! Yep the longest rod I have is a 7’10 but I stick with 10lb.