Don't forget about the ugly stick. In-expensive and durable. match it up with the Cardiff reel and you have a set up that works great for the bay.

If you're looking for an inexpensive rod, Berkeley has several trigger sticks. I fish two, 10/12 lb and 20 lb setups

cant go wrong with an ugly stick ..

Another option is to go down to Squid Co. Tell them how much you have to spend, where you want to fish and that you are in a yak. They know their stuff and won't steer you wrong.

I put a new Shimano Curado 300 EJ (Squidco) on a Lamiglas 7' IC 70 MH Inshore Classic (on my pole rack for many years with a reel I didn't like. I loaded it with 65# Power Pro braid.

It's a zinger, to say the least. Amazing combo. Casts over the horizon.

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I would like to find something as nice to replace my aging La Jolla kayak fishing heavy rod. I have no clue about that yet, but I want tangle free long distance spectra casting from my kayak. Durable, salt resistant and relatively maintenance free. Recommendations for a state-of-the-art combo would be greatly appreciated. When the summer boils start again, I want to cast to my targets before pedaling.