gene so Loc: Las Vegas, New Mexico

Hello,
I would be interested in experienced insight with regard to having a specific rod for casting long distance when standing in a kayak. I would refer a spinning rod and reel and braided line for this challenge, but would appreciate your views on rod type and length etc.

Gene So

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Hi Gene,
Rod length has more to do with casting distance than anything else. If you match the rod to the line and weight of lures you will throw, you’ll be fine.
For example, I grabbed my 6’9” ML power, Fast action tip which is rated for 6-10lb line and lures between 1/8-3/8oz. If I stay within those guidelines that will optimize the performance of that rod. I will most likely try an 8lb braid on that one to see how it casts.
For you, I might suggest a 7-8’ Medium action, 2pc rod to start as you may find a lunker walleye or a big old cat to pull you around for a while. Whichever you choose, match the tackle to the rating and you’ll be okay. I hope this helps and also hope that if I am wrong that someone will chime in with better advice.

Ronniejw Loc: West Point MS

Depends what you say is long distance, ml around 6.5 to 7ft. 12lb braid and 3 inch lure would give you 40 yards or so. Standing up in a kayak you wouldn't want to try to hard casting

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Yeah, not enough infornation gene. what are you tryin to throw and how far is "long distance"? I agree with all the above - match the line, the rod and the weight of your lure and you'll maximize your performance.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

What OJ said was right on the mark. But, the quality of the rod will have a major factor in the distance as well as the length of the rod. In other words, if the spine of the rod is in the proper position in relation to the guides, you will be able to throw the lure much farther and more accurately than improperly placed guides. Make sure you are within the guidelines of the rod as far as the line wt., 7 lure wt. Also, guides act as ball bearings on a rod, to a certain extend. One way that a factory will keep the price of the rod down is to not put enough guides on it. The lack of guides will rob the distance from you. Keep in mind that YOU are a major factor in the distance you achieve. Your technique is perhaps the most important in determining how far you throw it. It's like hitting a golf ball. Many factors to be considered.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Gene, I have a 7' for casting lures with no problem using 10lb braid. Stand 99% of the time in my yak and having your sea legs is a must. Don't try to stiff stand and anchor set before you stand.

gene so Loc: Las Vegas, New Mexico

OK folks,
Since I will be using this rod for two entirely different things; I shall be specific: In 1982 I was introduced to trout fishing in Wyoming on their stock tanks. Using a spinning rod and reel, a plastic egg filled with water and a wet fly, we would go to the upwind side of these tanks and cast high and hard with the wind. I got to do it just twice and never forgot those experiences. There will be opportunities to that again in New Mexico, specifically at Charette lake , located high atop a Mesa at 8,000 feet.
I will also be using this rod for specific fishing of three types of bass, and also walleye in two different dam area that are 10 and 26 miles long. I can see casting along rip/rap both laterally and also in a vertical manner. I have reasoned out that these lures will be no larger than the standard bass surface lure, the worm rigs to be used with bait and sinkers to be not much heavier.
I have reasoned so far that an 8 foot rod would be good for this ( the information about guides and their number and sizes is a whole new insight) I can see having a spinning reel with a larger spool in diameter to reduce friction, and using Spider wire braided line of perhaps 12 pound size.
I have been coached on using the backswing to load the rod, to use a medium action and power rod, to have the lure hang from the top guide lower than the normal one foot amount, and when snapping the pole forward to keep it high above my shoulder till lure impact. All this latter info was from a tournament caster. I have to take a trip through Iowa this summer and will be stopping at the Berkley outlet store which is regarded as "the Holy Grail" for midwestern fishermen, where you can buy tackle for less than half retail. So, when I go there I want to know EXACTLY what to buy.
Thank you,
Gene So

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Gene I think what you might be looking for is an 8 foot medium light or light steelhead rod, the spinning reel of your choice, and spooled with 8 or 10 pound braid. Light enough to still be fun with most of the trout but enough backbone to help you get those bass and walleyes. Problem is I don't think you're going to find one of those at the Berkley outlet store in Iowa. I would take a look at Lamiglas, they make a very nice steelhead rod for right around 100 dollars. St. Croix makes very nice steelhead rods, their wild river series comes in various longer lengths and go for about $180.00. They also make a 7'6" kayak rod that I think would be just what you're looking for. It's about $150.00. I am not associated with St. Croix or Lamiglas, I just happen to own quite a few of the St. Croix's and 1 lamiglas and the lamiglas is a nice rod, and the St. Croix's are extremely nice rods. You would be hard pressed to do any better at that price range.

gene so Loc: Las Vegas, New Mexico

Hey, Spirit of "76,
Thank you so much; its stunning to find fishing rods from $17.00 to $3,000.00! My God! Long ago my father taught me to keep my thumb and forefinger on the line itself for sensitivity with regard to walleye fishing in Minnesota. I am finding the opportunities to acquire solid knowledge about fishing, equipment and kayaks on the Internet is pretty great, if you know how to separate the "wheat from the chaff"! Some people who make U tube videos quit reading books at the ninth grade level.
Gene So

HawkOBX Loc: eastern Pennsylvania

All suggestions above are good. My preference is a 7 foot ML fast action St Croix with 2500 or 3000 spinning reel with Shimano Stradics my preferred choice. For long casting capability I highly recommend Berkley Nano fil as it will out distance most of the braided lines and it is a single core line . We use 8-10 Lb Nano on the Delaware River to catch the American Shad which are lb for lb one of the hardest fighting fish in fresh water.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Well gene so there are I don't know how many thousands of us fishermen and women on this forum, and I would bet you that the average number of years of fishing experience is over 20. So if there are 10,000 members, that's conservatively 200,000 years of experience. Think about that. And we're all still learning. And almost all of us get taken in by the "chaff" as you call it. When it comes to buying fishing equipment, I'm a firm believer in "you get what you pay for". To a point. And it's at that point that we all often seek advice from others. For example, Shimano makes some great spinning reels in various price ranges, from around 30 dollars or so to the top of their line Stella that goes for about 800 dollars. Is it better than the 30 dollar one? You betcha. Way better. But is it that much better than the 200 dollar Stradic? Now that's hard to say. I'm just using these as examples because I'm familiar with them, but I hope you get my drift. Buy the best you can afford and whatever you're comfortable with. You, ultimately, are the one who needs to make these decisions.
By the way, I looked at the Berkley site, and they make Buzz Ramsey "Air" series medium power spinning rod that comes in the longer length and sells for about $85. You might look for that in Iowa. I would not go walleye fishing with a $17.00 fishing pole. But I sure don't need that $3,000 one either. That's just me.

Ronniejw Loc: West Point MS

Caught a few today, best around 14 inch. Wind was up early and hard to float fish

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

That 3rd picture? There's one waiting out there, right off that point. Man that looks nice. Thanks.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Yup, leeward side, waiting to ambush something to eat

gene so Loc: Las Vegas, New Mexico

Hello Spirit,
Its this awesome possibility of acquiring wisdom from a serious site such as this that I find right now in my life to be extremely positive, while I await my complete shoulder surgery, which is stalled due to the Covid elective surgery moratorium.
Soooooooooooo, I can systematically go about gathering information now. The info on walleye in NM is virtually non existent. Natives here (class wise) fish with dry flies on streams and rivers for native trout, or are active bass fishermen, or the majority here fish for catfish, carp or hatchery trout. I simply have not seen such a sporting opportunity in my entire life; which had been largely devoted to hunting. With odds of drawing a hunt here about 2-7%, and a fishing license costing me a buck for year round fishing, I think you see this logic in my choice here.
Thanks,
Gene Solyntjes