New guy needs rod suggestions

[tasteslikechikn54]

Originally Posted by DarthFisherman

Hey guys, first post so let me start by saying I have really enjoyed all the great pics and tips shared on this site. I have about two weeks before I splurge on my first kayak- a Hobie Outback, but before then I would like to purchase two new rod and reel set-ups. Currently, all my gear is either for trout, bass, or light tackle surf. Ideally, I would like to buy one rod dedicated to throwing irons at the kelp and another for live bait. From my research I think I will be going with the Avet SX with the mag cast system for both rigs, but I am unsure of the proper rod pairings. Please let me know what your recommendations are.

I appreciate and eagerly await your responses!

Welcome to the forum.... That, my friend, would depend on how much you wanna spend... I have an avet sx on a custom 8 foot m&m rod, with a fast tapered tip.... It's rated for 12 to 30 lbs. Test, but i have it set up as a kelp cutting rig.... I use 60 lbs. Spectra with approx. 50 yards or so of 30 lbs. Mono topshot... It does the trick, but kayak surf launches are tough on the reels and they require constant maintenance. Especially, if you're flipping in the surf on the way in or out.... Could be tough on an avet sx MC as they are a bit pricey... I've flipped a few times at la jolla and just taken them to squidco for teardown and a good cleaning. Sand can be pretty tough on any reel....

Hope this helps a bit.... Tight lines.

[DarthFisherman]

Originally Posted by tasteslikechikn54

Welcome to the forum.... That, my friend, would depend on how much you wanna spend... I have an avet sx on a custom 8 foot m&m rod, with a fast tapered tip.... It's rated for 12 to 30 lbs. Test, but i have it set up as a kelp cutting rig.... I use 60 lbs. Spectra with approx. 50 yards or so of 30 lbs. Mono topshot... It does the trick, but kayak surf launches are tough on the reels and they require constant maintenance. Especially, if you're flipping in the surf on the way in or out.... Did plenty of that my first couple times at la jolla...

Hope this helps a bit.... Tight lines.

Thanks!

Regarding the rod I never want to spend more than I have to, but at the same time I like the assurance that comes with spending a little more for quality goods.

Excuse the ignorance, but as a kelp cutter setup do you fish that exclusive with irons or live bait? Perhaps both? Your line mix is what I was wanting to do for both, not sure if it applies more to irons or live bait.

[tasteslikechikn54]

Originally Posted by DarthFisherman

Thanks!

Regarding the rod I never want to spend more than I have to, but at the same time I like the assurance that comes with spending a little more for quality goods.

Excuse the ignorance, but as a kelp cutter setup do you fish that exclusive with irons or live bait? Perhaps both? Your line mix is what I was wanting to do for both, not sure if it applies more to irons or live bait.

It really won't affect the casting capability of the reel, as long as you got mono topshot.... I don't like using flouro on a casting setup because flouro doesn't have any stretch when casting... I have a seeker black 6'6 with an avet JX that I use for live bait. That setup i have 65 lbs. Spectra and I use about a 5 ft leader of 25 lbs. Flouro.... That works for me.

I hope that helps...

[oneyedeer]

Got a brand new calstar grafighter 700l 20-30lb would make a great live bait rod....200 even still got tags on it

[William Novotny]

diawa sealines are affordable, tough and come in all gear ratios and sizes. Okuma biadarka rods are affordable and made specifically for kayak fishing. They float and come standard with a leash ring to secure them to your yak. I've gone way past there line rating and landed big fish with them. Good luck and welcome aboard.

[taggermike]

There a many choices out there that will fill the needs you mentioned. There are also plenty of use gear available as well. I like graphite bait sticks but about any rod 6-7 feet long rated 20-40lb will work well. You can't beat the SoCal standards of Seeker and CalStar but other brands work well too. As for a jig stick, I like an all glass or composit rod 8-9 feet rate for 40 lb line. I don't think surface iron fishing is a "finesse" technique and use at least 40lb all the time. Again CalStar and seeker have many great rods but Saber and Shimano offer some nice options. ave not fish the PinHead series from Seeker but I have pulled on them and am impresses. They have 3 jig sticks in that series, I think, with the Ulua and the D-8 looking the best. Yak fishing is pretty tough on reels. I have no experience with Avets but If I was going to get some new set ups I might go with the Daiwa Seagates or Saltists. Mike

[DarthFisherman]

Thanks for all the input so far, guys.

I have my eye on two Calstar West Coast series rods.

For live:
WC-270-7C
7'
8 S.S. CONV
FUJI
12-30
Fast

For irons:
WC-670-C
7'
8 S.S. CONV
20-50
Fast

Wondering if the Deckhand special would be more appropriate for the iron based off of your guys' suggestion. One in the 8' range.

[HatterasCast]

Got some reels for sale in the classifieds right now...

Daiwa Grandwave 20 (Fill this with 30lb spectra and short Floro Leader and you got a sweet iron reel) Pair it up to any jigstick (The pacifica sabres with the cork at Big-5 are cheap and they have good action and get the job done - they pair nice with this reel too).

I also got a Daiwa saltist 30 which has 50lb spectra and a topshot of 25lb mono which you could change to heavier if you desire. This would be a great live bait fishing reel. Its got the 4.9 to 1 ratio for cranking power on that big WSB and YT. You can pair it up with any 7' boat rod 20-40 lb with a little bit of a soft tip so you can see what your bait is doing.

Just my 2 cents. The avet sx is a nice reel too, I have a couple.