Rod & reel setup for a noob? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

MarkT · 05-08-2009, 06:30 AM

Rods are rated with a range like 12-30, 15-40, 20-50. In each case the rod tends to be best at the middle of the range. Traditionally a 12-30 is a 20# rod, a 15-40 is a 25# rod and a 20-50 is a 30# rod. In a Sabre/Calstar/Seeker these would be the 270, 870, 670 respectively. Oher manufacturers have followed these naming conventions (originated with the original Sabre rods back in the 60's). The cheaper rods are lower on the range. I've seen 12-30 rods that I wouldn't use for more than 15#, 20# on a 15-40, etc. Pull on them so see what they fell like. You could go to Big5 and check out the Penn Sabre (not the same as the original Sabres!) or Ugly Sticks both of which are low cost rods.

In your case for a YT rod, I'd look at nothing less than a 20-50 rated 670 or other rod that's up to pulling 10# of drag fishing 30# line.

A Penn Jigmaster 500 or 545GS, Shimano TLD15 or 20/40 or Daiwa SLX40 would be good reels for this. These are all solid reels up to the rigors of yak fishing. Some of the more high-maintenance, expensive, metal reels don't really like all the saltwater you get into on the yak.

05-08-2009, 06:30 AM	#7
MarkT Deep Release Specialist Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mission Viejo Posts: 94	Rods are rated with a range like 12-30, 15-40, 20-50. In each case the rod tends to be best at the middle of the range. Traditionally a 12-30 is a 20# rod, a 15-40 is a 25# rod and a 20-50 is a 30# rod. In a Sabre/Calstar/Seeker these would be the 270, 870, 670 respectively. Oher manufacturers have followed these naming conventions (originated with the original Sabre rods back in the 60's). The cheaper rods are lower on the range. I've seen 12-30 rods that I wouldn't use for more than 15#, 20# on a 15-40, etc. Pull on them so see what they fell like. You could go to Big5 and check out the Penn Sabre (not the same as the original Sabres!) or Ugly Sticks both of which are low cost rods. In your case for a YT rod, I'd look at nothing less than a 20-50 rated 670 or other rod that's up to pulling 10# of drag fishing 30# line. A Penn Jigmaster 500 or 545GS, Shimano TLD15 or 20/40 or Daiwa SLX40 would be good reels for this. These are all solid reels up to the rigors of yak fishing. Some of the more high-maintenance, expensive, metal reels don't really like all the saltwater you get into on the yak.