My hands down favorite rod/reel set up for Kayak Fishing is:
A 7 ft. Graftech 20-30 Rod with a Diawa Sealine X 40 HA 5:1 Reel.
This combination weighs almost nothing, super light, but strong enough to handle good size Thresher Shark, all size Yellowtail, BSB, WSB and anything La Jolla Has to offer.
This year I had my share of speed demon hook ups on threshers and the drags held up fine.
I recently swapped out the stock drags for Carbotex Carbon Fiber Drags and the reel performs even better.
The rod retails for $169, but periodically go on sale for $135.
They were
ON Sale Big Time at last years Fred Hall Show for $99
The Reel is typically $120. Spool it up with 30 lb P-Line Mono and your Good to Go for Most Everything.
-Except fishing directly in the kelp. You will need Spectra for that.