Trolling and kayaking seem like they were made for each other. A kayak travels at the perfect speed to troll a lure. Add in the erratic movement of the lure that is inherent with paddling a kayak and you have yourself a combination that makes the fish go wild. Any fishing pole would work great for trolling, but with the right pole, your job will be that much easier.
What are we looking for in a rod that makes it the best trolling rod?
Essentially you need a rod that can take a beating. When trolling, a fishing rod needs to be strong enough to not break if it gets snagged, handle a large strike and constantly get battered by waves. Sensitivity is not as important here as when you fish using other methods. Here are the main things I look for in a trolling rod for Kayak Fishing:
- The rod should be between 6’6” to 7’6”
- Medium to Medium Heavy Power
- Graphite or Fiberglass Blanks
- Strong Reel Seats
- Durable Handle that can withstand constant removal from a rod holder
After many hours of research and trying out a few, I have come up with three fishing rods that I consider the best trolling rods for Kayak Fishing.
- 7′ Shakespeare Tiger Ugly Stik medium-action rod
- Okuma Dead Eye Classic Trolling Rod
- Shimano Tallus 6’6″
7′ Shakespeare Tiger Ugly Stik medium-action rod
This rod has amazing strength. Made from a combination of Graphite and Fiberglass this rod is strong enough to tackle the big fish, yet with a sensitive tip that can sense even the little guys. The rod is lightweight and easy to control.
I really like the price of these fishing rods. Coming in at under $70, it’s a great rod for anyone looking to affordably outfit themselves with the right fishing gear.
When I first got my hands on this rod I especially liked the weight balance and the stylish look this rod had to offer. Then I used it as my main trolling rod and I liked it even better. It was able to show some action on the tip when hitting the bottom or getting small nibbles. Most importantly, when it came to it, I was able to pull in my personal best, an 8lb snapper just off the coast of Hawai’i Island.
Okuma Dead Eye Classic Trolling Rod
Okuma has created perfection when they created this rod. The blank is made from durable E-glass technology that provides power with the tip being ultra-sensitive to the lightest bites. The slow to moderate action is perfect for trolling from a kayak.
The rod has a cork grip handle. It is comfortable to hold but a bit longer than I like to use fishing from a kayak. Because it spends most of its time in the rod holder as opposed to being cast constantly, I am ok with the butt end of the rod being a little longer than I would like it to be.
The price starts at under $40 and comes in a variety of lengths to suit your kayak fishing needs. When choosing a trolling rod, I do like it to have a little more length than my typical casting rods. This is where I choose a rod that is between 7’ to 7’6”. A longer rod responds better than shorter rods while trolling and keeps your line out of the way better while paddling.
This rod would be considered the cadillac of fishing rods. Built to last a lifetime, this rod has the strength and power to bring in fish from 10lb – 30lbs+ range.
Utilizing special flex technology, these rods provide superior action that keeps your line more consistent in the water and keeps hooks set inside a fishes mouth.
No expense has been spared in the materials used to construct this fishing rod. It comes with oxide guides, EVA foam grips and 24-ton carbon fiber blank for strength and sensitivity.
This rod is a little on the steep end for me, coming in at $180. If budget was no issue or I was ready to step up my fishing game, then the Shimano Tallus would be the first Trolling pole that I’d choose.
The Number One Reel to Pair with a Trolling Rod
As we said before, any rod and reel combo will work for trolling from a kayak, but we’re going for what works best! The three rods we already mentioned are the best trolling rods for kayak fishing, but what kind of reel would you use with those rods?
If you haven’t noticed already, each rod I’ve recommended is a casting rod. Therefore the best reel for trolling would be a baitcaster reel. The one we recommend is the Okuma ColdWater LineCounter Trolling Reel.
Now if you’re new to fishing and have heard how baitcasting reels are not for beginners, I encourage you to still try one out, especially for trolling. You do not have to cast as much while trolling, minimizing the problems most beginners have with these reels.
The Okuma ColdWater Linecounter Trolling Reel is specifically designed for trolling. It is able to tell you how many feet of line has been released from the spool. This allows you to get your bait quickly to the bottom. The drag is smooth and simple to control.
The reel is also made with the highest quality, lightweight materials that are corrosion resistant, making them a good use for saltwater angling. It also looks good while doing it.
Pairing this reel with one of the previous rods, you will be equipped with a kayak trolling rig that cannot be equaled. The total cost would be around $200. It’s not that much, unless you start to add up all the money you’ve spent on your kayak, your other fishing rods, your lures. You get the point, it all adds up! If you don’t have that money, you can always gear up an existing rod and reel to be more effective while trolling.
How to Turn Any Rod into a Trolling Machine
Going out and buying a new rod and reel isn’t in the cards for all of us, but that’s OK. We can turn any rod and reel setup into one that can catch fish while trolling. If you have an extra rod and reel, let’s set it up so that it can be your next trolling rod.
First off, if you have a few rods lying around, let’s use the one that looks the most durable, with medium to medium-heavy action. It’s important the rod be strong and durable, don’t use a small sensitive rod for trolling.
The rod can either be equipped with a spinning or baitcasting reel spooled with 20lb-40lb braided line depending on the species you are targeting. Braided line will increase sensitivity and be more efficient at setting hooks than a monofilament line. There is little stretch in braided line giving it the sensitivity you are looking for while trolling.
Tying on a weighted jig or crankbait to your line will make your trolling rig complete.
Be sure to adjust the drag to accommodate for big hits and keep a close eye on the tip to check for any snags or lost bait.
Using the right tool for the job will make you a better fisherman, but sometimes you just have to improvise. Either way, I hope some of these tips will increase your trolling skills while kayak fishing.
Happy Fishing!!