Best Rod and Reel Setup For Rock Cod?

[daperrin]

Hi, looking for some input on what you think is the best rod and reel for rock cod fishing from a kayak. Please let me know why you recommend, especially the reel what are the pros and cons. Thanks!

[jruiz]

No specific recommendation other than a high gear ratio and fishing with braid.

[JohnMckroidJr]

It has been decades since I rockcodded on the West Coast, but If I were to target deep water Rockfish, I would use a slow taper rod, 7ft or shorter because a fast taper rod will be more difficult to feel the strikes. A 2-speed reel using high speed when no fish are on the line, and low gear for when winding up fish. A reel with a long handle or a custom longer handle crank for easier winding. Since only 2 hooks are allowed, I would probably fish with 20-50lb braid(lighter line for less drift). I would consider rigging a half pool noodle on the kayak rail for a place to rest the rod while cranking up fish.

Two-speed reels for under 40lb line are unnecessary if one is a strong, seasoned angler. With that in mind, would probably opt for a 1-speed reel if fishing lighter lines. Back when 2:1 gear ratios were the norm for rockcodding, if one reeled up too fast, the fish would sometimes spin-off. It is always better to wind up slow and steady when reeling up rockfish.

In the '70s, one could catch rockfish using cigarette butts for bait. My buddy once caught his limit of half-day boat rockcod using a cut-off broomstick for a rod, u-nails for guides, and a Penn Del Mar reel secured with electric tape --LOL.

I still have my Hermosa Tackle Box Rockcod Special - 9ft Roller guide heavy duty Rod with a rail plate for steady cranking and a custom long crank handle 9/0 Penn Senator loaded with 80lb dacron. That was the best outfit to own back in the days of Cowcod and 15 fish limits. If I ever do deep dropping from a boat off Florida, I will use it instead of the electric reels that most Floridians use. Using electricity is cheating.

[grey zone]

A multitask rod is ideal on a kayak. I fish rockcod with a Calstar 670 rated 20-50lb, and a Avet JX with 50lb braid.

[AlwaysFishing]

Dave,
My go to set is the Okuma PCH Custom 7' 20-50lbs rod and the Penn FTHII15LW. I initially got the Penn FTHII25NSD because I wanted the fast retrieval rate of 42" per revolution but I found it be too much work without the level wind when fishing deep water. I primarily use the FTHII15LW even though it only have 30" per revolution of retrieval rate. I'd go with the FTHII25NSD if you don't need level wind. Both hold a ton of lines so they will work for rock fish. This is what works best for me and the combo was very affordable.

-Quang

[JohnMckroidJr]

Guiding line on a conventional reel is like riding a bike. Once mastered, one does not think about it, and the thumb guides automatically. Many star-drag conventional reels have the option to adjust the hand crank wider. The wider setting optimizes the easier winding of the reel for reeling up from deep.

[daperrin]

Thanks for the insight guys. Will do some additional research based on the tips.

[daperrin]

Originally Posted by AlwaysFishing

Dave,
My go to set is the Okuma PCH Custom 7' 20-50lbs rod and the Penn FTHII15LW. I initially got the Penn FTHII25NSD because I wanted the fast retrieval rate of 42" per revolution but I found it be too much work without the level wind when fishing deep water. I primarily use the FTHII15LW even though it only have 30" per revolution of retrieval rate. I'd go with the FTHII25NSD if you don't need level wind. Both hold a ton of lines so they will work for rock fish. This is what works best for me and the combo was very affordable.

-Quang

Thanks Quang. I'll definitely consider the LW as this will probably be for my nephews and 'guest' I bring along that don't have a lot of patience. I have the Fathom 15SD at this point for myself and love it.

[PapaDave]

Personally, since the depth we are able to fish is deeper, I've gone electric.

https://smile.amazon.com/Shimano-PLE...%2C146&sr=8-18

A bit higher in price then a manual reel but well worth it. The rod it is mounted on is an Ugly Stik heavy jigging rod, although I'm not sure if you can find them any more. There are other brands of reels in that same price range too.

https://www.tackledirect.com/ugly-st...sting-rod.html

You can get the batteries online as well...

https://smile.amazon.com/FengWings-R...s%2C227&sr=8-6

The battery will last through a single day of fishing but it's a good idea to have backups. I also found one on eBay that lasts about a day and a half of serious use...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/292817690384

Took this out on a three day rockfish trip, worked great. Many of the guys on the trip laughed at first, but after a few drops down in the deeper spots using 24-32oz weights on some monster reds they started warming up and asking questions.

Just a thought...

[Saba Slayer]

Like PapaDave I've gone electric also...
I have a bad case of arthritis in both wrists and thumbs...so the Diawa Tanacom 500 is my choice for rockfishing...when it comes to prospecting a new deep area I have no problem sending 8oz. or more down 400'...and it's a level wind...
I added a Hobie connector to the power cable and I use an old Hobie battery under the seat of my PA and it lasts me all day and my hands are happy...

[daperrin]

Wow, I had not really considered an electric reel as I remember them being too big and expensive. Its been a while since I last used them. But the last time I was out and had to crank up from 400 ft several times with no tacos, I got a little irritated

So ya, that makes since, especially now that I see the reel size can be pretty small and the cost is within reason. I did some additional research and as I do, created an article for my blog.

https://thekayaklaunch.com/electric-fishing-reel/

Thanks for the input.

[Mahigeer]

Here is mine:
31-Shimano Beastmaster 9000 electric reel. Saved my back each time we checked bait and hooked fish.
The roller bearing guides also made the reeling up or dropping down more efficient and smooth.

I was so glad that the batteries lasted all day.

15-The last fish of the last day and the biggest of the two trips. Estimated 196 lbs.


From my Alaska trip.

I recently was on a sand dab fishing trip. Fishing in 100 M (300 ft.) depths. Boy did I have fun pushing the button and bring in a 2 lbs. sinker up to 6 M (18 ft.) of the boat.
I made a case for the batteries, but it was not too portable. Working on a modification. Will report on it after experiment.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Nice Halibut! For those with a bad back, arthritis or some other handicap, the electric reels are a good workaround. For the rest of us who are fully capable, apathy is a means to disability. If you don't use it, you might lose it. Electric reels are super popular for deepwater swordfishing off Florida. Those who do wind the swords up by hand find they can land a fish in 1/2 - 2/3rds of the time that it takes with the electric reels, plus if it is a trophy record, it can be submitted.

[vincentek9]

Your standard dropper loop rods should work well. If you want a dedicated rockfish rig, 6-7' rods in a 20-60# class depending on the amount of weight used. doesn't need to be a big brand name. although my favorite has been composite rods with hybrid glass tips for sensitivity. full glass rods are great too.

If you have a reel full of spectra, i'd use that. levelwinds are very helpful if you don't want to thumb the line in manually. electric reels will save your arm, and you don't need a damn Lindgren as you aren't trying to chase trophy swordfish.

my personal go-to for rockfish, halibut, and certain dropper loop fish has been:
Quantum Boca BCC66-90 + Daiwa lexa 400 pwr-p (kayak and lighter weight fishing, particularly killer for halibut fishing)
Cousins Tackle CJB 65XL + Daiwa Saltist 40 with 4.9 ratio (boat fishing for bigger stuff and heavy weight sinkers)

[daperrin]

An article on rock cod fishing to round things off.
rock cod fishing

[SoCalEDC]

I don’t fish bait for rock cod very often but when I do I fish a Calstar 700m and a seigler sg (but any conventional reel with a retrieval rate of 36+ inches per crank will work fine. I fish 50# braid and a top shot of 40# mono to what ever terminal rig I have.

With that said I would 100% rather fish with metal jigs and when I’m doing that I use a jigging world nexus 7’0” heavy rod (the 3-8oz jig one) and I pair it with a seigler SGN, but any narrow conventional reel or big baitcaster with a fast retrieval rate will work. I fish 30-40# braid mainline to a 10’ 40# fluorocarbon leader.

You know how to reach me if you want to go out sometime and work the fish on fluttering metal instead of falling asleep with a couple strips of squid on the bottom.