Best Kayak Fishing Rod in 2021 – Anglers Top Picks

For many people, kayaking is a fun and exciting activity. Kayak fishing? Even more so. That said, it does come with a few difficulties, but nothing that the right fishing gear can’t fix. We’re talking about fish hooks, weight, floats, and of course, fishing rods.

The best kayak fishing rod is one that lets you catch fish easily and quickly. It should keep you comfortable and give you full control over your catch. You’d think that that’s easy to find, but you’ll be surprised with the sheer number of mediocre fishing rods on the market.

So, to help you out, we spent hours of research and found the most promising options for kayak fishing rods this 2021. Check them out below:

Our 10 Favorite Fishing Rods

To enjoy the best kayak fishing experience, here are the top ten best fishing rods you can bring on your next excursion:

Kayak Fishing Rod Buying Guide

The right kayak fishing rod will offer superior performance and let you enjoy a great fishing experience, but finding a fishing rod that perfectly fits your needs can be quite difficult. To help with your buying decision, take into account the following factors:

Type

One thing you need to understand is that there are many different types of fishing rods available, and that you need to figure out which type best suits your needs.

For example, spinning rods are better suited for lure and bait fishing, especially kayak fishing. These rods are great for catching small and medium sized fish near the shore. Meanwhile, bait casting rods offer more versatility, control, and accuracy while casting, but they are more suited for experienced anglers and can be difficult to use for a beginner.

Check out: the best kayaks for beginners in 2021

Size and Weight

You also have to factor in the size and weight of the kayak fishing pole. This means taking into account the location of your fishing spot and the species or type of fish that you want to catch. These two things will help determine the right rod durability.

To give you an idea, thin, long, and lightweight fishing rods are best for smaller catches, while solid, short, and heavy rods are more ideal for larger and heavier fish. Even the fishing conditions, aka whether you’re fishing in saltwater or freshwater, will affect the kind of fishing pole you need.

Rod Length

Now, when it comes to kayak fishing, you’ll notice that the fishing rods are shorter in length than other types, which is a must for better maneuverability. A relatively short rod will also conveniently fit inside your kayak and will let you easily remove fish from.

That said, the rod cannot be too short either, as this will present quite a few challenges. For instance, if the rod isn’t long enough, you won’t be able to extend it past the kayak’s bow. This is important to prevent your line from getting caught when your catch tries to swim under the watercraft.

Butt Length

Aside from the length of the pole itself, you also have to take into consideration the length of the rear end of the rod, which is the part sticking out under the reel. Again, due to space constraints inside a kayak, your fishing rod must have a short butt section so that you can easily move around inside the kayak without getting the rod caught in your vest.

Material

When it comes to material, kayak fishing rods are typically made of graphite, fiberglass, carbon, or composite, with each material offering a unique set of features that influence the rod’s feel and action. As such, choosing a fishing rod material should be based on your personal preferences, as well as your budget.

Carbon fiber rods are generally the best as they offer exceptional speed and performance. The only thing is, carbon fiber is an expensive material, so it’s mostly reserved for high-end models. A great alternative would be graphite (or a mix of graphite and fiberglass), which retains weight well and offers power, flexibility, durability, and sensitivity- meaning, you can catch lots of fish.

Saltwater Fishing

Kayak fishing can also be done in more turbulent and unpredictable waters, such as the sea. But, the thing with saltwater fishing is that, aside from requiring exceptional skill and control from the kayaker, not to mention suitable gear and watercraft, it comes with a few extra requirements.

We’re talking about protective measures that help make your gear last longer and steer clear of damage and wear. For kayak sea fishing rods, this means rust and corrosion resistance. Now, these are important regardless of where you want to fish, but know that saltwater is harsher on your rod materials, and as such, ensuring adequate protection is a must.

Mounting

You’ll also have to consider your kayak’s mounting system, since you need to make sure that this mounting system is compatible with your fishing rod. In other words, ensure that the rod will fit perfectly inside the kayak’s rod holder.

Action / Flexing

One of the most important factors when it comes to buying a fishing rod is its action, which is how the rod flexes along its length, as well as the speed as to which the tip of the rod returns to its natural position.

Basically, the rod’s action is what makes for good performance while reeling or casting. It’s also dependent on the material, lures, and size of the blanks. Depending on the type or species of fish you intend to catch, the action of the rod can be slow, medium, or fast, with slow action rods being ideal for smaller catch and fast action rods for bigger catch.

Power

Meanwhile, a fishing rod’s power is its ability to resist force, aka how much the rod springs back after said force is released. Here’s the difference between low and high power rods:

On one hand, high power rods come with high tensile strength, so when you use it for fishing, you’ll notice that the lure will jump while you’re retrieving it, dragging in the water for a bit, before springing forward then dragging again.

On the other hand, low power rods lack responsiveness, and as such, using one means having to move the entire rod instead of relying on the quick movement from the rod’s base transferring to the tip. That said, with low power rods, these would somehow spring back when your line breaks under pressure.

Test / Weight Capacity

Simply put, “test” refers to your fishing line’s weight capacity. This means that when you see a test listed in a fishing rod’s product specifications, know that it’s referring to what line test rating is best recommended for use with that fishing rod.

This line test, when combined with your reel’s drag settings, is what gives you an idea of the fishing rod’s weight capacity. That said, there really isn’t an industry standard for these test ratings, so it’s generally better to rely on customer reviews as to what sorts of fish they were able to catch and to what extent they were able to subject the rods to without breaking.

Reel

Buying a nice fishing rod isn’t the end of your journey- no, you still have to look for a couple of other stuff to complete your gear, such as a good quality reel, for starters. It has to be compatible with the fishing rod, and intended for the same purposes and weights.

Lightweight reels are convenient options for kayak fishing, while spinning reels are more user-friendly and better suited for beginner anglers. Regardless of what type of reel you choose, however, it’s always important to make sure that it’s resistant to corrosion so that the moving parts inside don’t get damaged- especially so if you’re doing saltwater fishing.

Leash

Another important part of your fishing gear is the leash of the fishing rod, which is a useful security feature even when the rod is resting on your kayak’s rod holder. The leash will ensure that the fishing rod is always attached to the kayak even if it manages to escape your grasp or if the kayak somehow capsizes.

Price

Here’s the thing about kayak fishing rods: they come in a wide range of prices. Now, while higher-end rods are typically made with higher quality materials and offer better features, many anglers prefer to stick with mid-range or even entry level rods for the sole reason that rods can break, snap under pressure, or fall out of the kayak, never to be seen again.

If these things happen, you’re saying goodbye to possibly hundreds or even thousands of dollars, and as such, buying a cheaper fishing rod might be a better idea. At the end of the day, it’s really up to you.

FAQs

What’s the difference between regular fishing rods and kayak fishing rods?

It really all boils down to size. Kayak fishing rods are shorter in length and have shorter handles so that they can easily fit inside small kayaks. Various models of kayak fishing rods also feature telescoping designs or fold/ break down into several pieces to make them more portable.

Is it safe to fish on a kayak?

Yes. Just make sure to observe safety precautions, use the right gear, wear a kayak fishing life vest, and learn basic safety measures on kayak fishing. When you’re just starting out, stick to calm waters and smaller fish. After a bit of practice, you’ll see that kayak fishing is fun and easy.

What fishing equipment do I need for kayak fishing aside from a fishing rod?

You will need a fishing line, fishing reel, baits or lures, hooks, a kayak cooler, and a kayak fishing net. Other tools you might need include fishing pliers, a fish lip gripper, and rod holders.

Overview

At the end of the day, the best kayak fishing rod is one that maximizes your kayak fishing experience and helps you become a much better angler. It should be made with good quality materials, let you catch all your target species, and work well in your fishing conditions. This way, you’re sure to get the best value for your hard-earned money.