Is a 6’-6’6” rod too short for a 14’ kayak? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Egon · 09-02-2019, 07:28 PM

I mean like being able to get your line around the hull comfortably while being hooked up to a bigger fish, general feel as opposed to 7’ which is what I’m used to. I’m thinking of going shorter maybe even 6’ but don’t want to jump the gun just yet. What lengths work best for you and why ?

fishnfoool · 09-03-2019, 12:10 AM

A 6 foot rod is perfectly fine. If your arms are 6 feet long, then the rod might even be too long. I usually use 7 feet or longer rods because my arms are short.

FISH11 · 09-03-2019, 08:11 AM

I find a 7' is the minimum for all around and 8' is good for a jig throwing rod. Anything shorter makes it harder to get the line around the bow without having to move yourself on the deck.

skrilla · 09-03-2019, 11:24 AM

13ft kayaks and with my height and wingspan... 7 to 7 1/2ft rod works perfect. Enough length that I can crossover the bow but also get the fish in close for the gaff shot.

Anything shorter I use for bay fishing where I can man-handle most fish to the side my rod is on. That or I use my girl's Mini-X.

Egon · 09-03-2019, 12:10 PM

Thanks for sharing fellas

summers in kuwait · 09-03-2019, 02:00 PM

Some of my first rods were 8' jig sticks. Over the years, I gone down in size.
Currently I have three 6'6" Lamiglass Tri Flex rods that I use on my kayak. Im perfectly comfortable with this length, with an ~5'10" wingspan.
I find the shorter rods to provide more power and less strain on my back overall. I sacrifice a little in regards to casting, but overall it doesn't seem to affect most of my fishing, as it's mainly live bait.

I sometimes have to reach forward to clear the bow.

PS

I have a Revo 16

Egon · 09-03-2019, 02:09 PM

Thanks for the input 👍 much appreciated guys

ProfessorLongArms · 09-04-2019, 06:58 AM

6’6” is the longest rod I own.

DanaPT · 09-04-2019, 09:48 AM

https://www.adventuresportsnetwork.c...ish/kayak-rod/

Ever seen/heard of guys catch wsb with a sabiki rod?

LSmoot · 09-12-2019, 03:42 PM

It also depends on the type of kayak and seat position. My Kraken has several positions. If I'm all the way forward a 6'6" rod is fine, but when my seat is back it's very difficult cross over the bow.

PapaDave · 09-13-2019, 11:47 AM

Yes... I use three footers for that matter.

bertha · 09-16-2019, 10:24 AM

never experienced it. but this is a very interesting discussion to follow

09-02-2019, 07:28 PM	#1
Egon Junior Join Date: Mar 2019 Posts: 21	Is a 6’-6’6” rod too short for a 14’ kayak? I mean like being able to get your line around the hull comfortably while being hooked up to a bigger fish, general feel as opposed to 7’ which is what I’m used to. I’m thinking of going shorter maybe even 6’ but don’t want to jump the gun just yet. What lengths work best for you and why ?

09-03-2019, 08:11 AM	#3
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,642	I find a 7' is the minimum for all around and 8' is good for a jig throwing rod. Anything shorter makes it harder to get the line around the bow without having to move yourself on the deck. __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

09-03-2019, 11:24 AM	#4
skrilla Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 664	13ft kayaks and with my height and wingspan... 7 to 7 1/2ft rod works perfect. Enough length that I can crossover the bow but also get the fish in close for the gaff shot. Anything shorter I use for bay fishing where I can man-handle most fish to the side my rod is on. That or I use my girl's Mini-X. __________________ Urban Camo Trident 13

09-13-2019, 11:47 AM	#11
PapaDave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 1,473	Yes... I use three footers for that matter. __________________ So long and thanks for all the fish...

09-03-2019, 12:10 AM	#2
fishnfoool Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Long beach Posts: 302	A 6 foot rod is perfectly fine. If your arms are 6 feet long, then the rod might even be too long. I usually use 7 feet or longer rods because my arms are short.

09-03-2019, 12:10 PM	#5
Egon Junior Join Date: Mar 2019 Posts: 21	Thanks for sharing fellas

09-03-2019, 02:00 PM	#6
summers in kuwait Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: East County San Diego Posts: 657	Some of my first rods were 8' jig sticks. Over the years, I gone down in size. Currently I have three 6'6" Lamiglass Tri Flex rods that I use on my kayak. Im perfectly comfortable with this length, with an ~5'10" wingspan. I find the shorter rods to provide more power and less strain on my back overall. I sacrifice a little in regards to casting, but overall it doesn't seem to affect most of my fishing, as it's mainly live bait. I sometimes have to reach forward to clear the bow. PS I have a Revo 16

09-03-2019, 02:09 PM	#7
Egon Junior Join Date: Mar 2019 Posts: 21	Thanks for the input 👍 much appreciated guys

09-04-2019, 06:58 AM	#8
ProfessorLongArms Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 401	6’6” is the longest rod I own.

09-04-2019, 09:48 AM	#9
DanaPT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South OC Posts: 1,606	https://www.adventuresportsnetwork.c...ish/kayak-rod/ Ever seen/heard of guys catch wsb with a sabiki rod?

09-12-2019, 03:42 PM	#10
LSmoot Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 115	It also depends on the type of kayak and seat position. My Kraken has several positions. If I'm all the way forward a 6'6" rod is fine, but when my seat is back it's very difficult cross over the bow.

09-16-2019, 10:24 AM	#12
bertha Banned Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 20	never experienced it. but this is a very interesting discussion to follow