Buying a fishing pole is not as easy as just picking the best looking pole off the rack. In fact, when strolling the aisles looking for a new pole, you may be overwhelmed with all of the choices. It’s hard to tell one from the other.
In order to be a better fisherman, you should really have the best pole for the job. To do that, you need to do your homework. Lucky for you, I already have.
A good kayak fisherman should have at least 2 poles. One pole would be for light casting and the other should be a good trolling/dunking rod. With these two types of poles in your arsenal, you will be able to fish any style of fishing to maximize your efforts from your kayak.
After trying out numerous rods throughout the years, I have come up with (in my opinion) the best Spinning & the best Trolling Rod for any kayak fisherman’s budget.
Best Spinning Rod for Kayak Fishing
You’ll notice that I tend to favor quality gear at a low price. I’m not looking to buy the top-end models, but I do like equipment that will perform like top-end models at low-end prices. And that, my friends, is why I like the Ugly Stick GX2 Spinning Rod.
This rod has a reputation of being a beginner rod or a cheap back up, but it is not that at all. It is both rugged and affordable. It comes equipped with high-end features that rival any top brand.
- Construction is made from fiberglass and graphite. What differentiates this rod from previous ugly stick rods is that it uses a higher percentage of graphite, making for a more durable rod with increased sensitivity.
- The rod is light, with its balance point more towards the handle of the rod, making it easier to fish from a kayak.
- The stainless steel guides are made from one solid piece of material, increasing longevity over other rods. They are designed to work well with all types of line.
- The Ugly Stick clear tip returns with superior strength and sensitivity that result in successful hook sets.
- The handles are made with dual EVA handle grips that are lightweight, durable and perform well when wet.
- They come in a variety of lengths and power ratings, from ultra light to heavy. I like to use a 6’6” medium action rod as my main light tackle spinning rod when I am fishing closer to shore in the ocean.
Best Trolling Rod for Kayak Fishing
Kayak fishing is made for trolling, which is why you want to make sure one of the fishing poles you bring with you is a good trolling rod. I hate to sound biased but I have to go with another Ugly Stick rod.
There are a lot of great trolling rods out there, but not many that offer what Ugly Stick offers at the price it offers it at.
The blanks are bulletproof and so are the one-piece guides. When trolling for fish, this is the rod you want to be using. Why spend more on anything else?
- Trademark Ugly Stick construction blending fiberglass and graphite to make a rugged, responsive blank.
- Rod is light but strong, resulting in a rod that is easily managed from a kayak, but tough enough to bring in the big fish.
- One-piece stainless steel guides eliminate the likelihood of losing a guide while fishing.
- Well constructed reel seats to ensure a solid connection with your chosen baitcaster reel.
- They are not the most sensitive rods. You may miss a few bites from lighter fish species, but will have no problem feeling a strike from a larger fish.
What to look for in a quality Kayak Fishing Rod
When selecting your next fishing rod, it is important to know what qualities to look for in a rod in order to make the best choice for you. I remember when I was getting back into fishing looking at all the rods on the rack at my local fishing store and wondering how they were different, besides maybe how long they were. Don’t let that be you. Read on.
- LENGTH. You want the length of the rod to be anywhere from 6’ to 7’6” when fishing off a kayak. Longer rods become too cumbersome and shorter rods may have difficulty clearing the front of your kayak when you’re in the middle of fighting with a fish.
The benefit of a longer rod is increased distance when casting. A shorter rod offers more precision, where space may be an issue or just the right placement so you don’t spook a fish.
- POWER AND ACTION. Power means the stiffness of a rod. How much does it bend? More power equals more stiffness. Action is equal to the sensitivity in the rod. A rod with fast action is more sensitive, making even a small fish feel like a beast. But be careful, finesse is needed to bring these fish in, not pure strength. A rod with slow action requires more muscle to bring your fish in.
- MATERIALS. Rods are made from two materials: Fiberglass and graphite. Graphite is light, strong and sensitive to the touch while fiberglass is heavy but has a consistent bend. Most rods these days are either made from graphite or a blend of the two.
- ROD HANDLES. The length of a rod handle is important to consider for kayak fishing. You want the handles to be short so they don’t get in the way where space is precious on a tiny fishing kayak. You also want them to be able to withstand the rigors of going in and out of rod holders, which happen quite often on a kayak.
I prefer EVA foam over cork. Cork does not hold up well with the constant usage of rod holders and does not perform well when wet. The EVA foam is light, durable, soft and more water resistant than cork, making it the perfect choice for kayak fishing. - GUIDES. Guides are the rings that your line runs through on your fishing pole. It is important to have high quality guides as this is normally the first area of failure for a fishing pole. Most guides are made of several pieces of steel fused together. Look out for guides made from a single piece of stainless steel like the ones manufactured by Ugly Stick, they are virtually indestructible.
- REEL SEATS. The reel seat is the point on the rod where the reel attaches to the rod. These are generally high quality on any reasonable rod, but be sure to test out your chosen reel to ensure it fits securely in the reel seat.
I hope I’ve been able to help you make a choice when deciding your next fishing rod. You really can’t go wrong with either of the Ugly Stick models. Many people have found great success using these rods, including myself. I hope you will become one of them. Happy Fishing!!