Best Fishing Rods for Kayaks: 2023 Buying Guide
Updated: May 5
Contents
Introduction
Kayak fishing has taken the outdoor recreation world by storm over the last couple of years.
With the global pandemic having separated all of us, kayak fishing brought people together with an activity that could be enjoyed with others, but at a safe distance.
There are kayak fishing tournaments in every state throughout the Gulf Coast of the U.S. that allow every skill level from beginner to professional to compete in who can catch the biggest, or most, fish from their kayak.
With this sport on the rise, there has been an increased demand for gear designed with fishing from a kayak in mind.
To successfully fish from a kayak, your fishing rod has to be agile. It has to be easily accessible. The rod can't be too large, or you won't be able to cast it properly from your kayak. The rod also can't be too small, or you run the risk of breaking it on a larger fish.
With all that said, companies who already made fishing rods rose to the challenge of creating fishing rods for kayaks, with the specifications needed by kayak fishermen in mind.
Here is my list of the best fishing rods for kayaks.
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Best kayak fishing rod for beginners
There are several factors at play when choosing a kayak fishing rod for beginners.
With more advanced reel setups out there, fishing rods have become more complex with steeper learning curves.
I always recommend that if you are an absolute beginner fisherman, you should try out a fishing rod with a push-button reel to get the feel for casting without the hassle of tangling your line or hanging up your cast.
In this section you will find my recommendation for the best fishing rod for kayaks with respect to beginners in 2023.
Zebco 404 Spincast Reel and 2-Piece Fishing Rod Combo - $18.96
Material: Fiberglass
Length: 5'6" or 6ft. depending on variant
Technique: Push-button
Handle Material: EVA
Zebco has been a tried-and-true brand for fishing for generations, and the 404 Spincast is no exception.
This 2-piece fishing rod is exceptional for kayak fishing, as it is easy to transport and store, and it is made of a durable fiberglass.
The Zebco 404 Spincast is great for beginners because the push-button reel allows for near perfect casting every time, and there isn't the steeper learning curve of a spinning reel or baitcaster.
Zebco has designed a built-in bite alert which is a mechanism that creates a clicking sound when a fish is taking out line. This allows the angler to know for sure that they have a fish on without mistaking being hung up on rocks or vegetation under the water.
Another bonus is this fishing rod comes with a kit that includes the rod, push-button reel, and 28 pieces of fishing tackle.
The push-button reel is also ambidextrous, so you can reel with your preferred hand by simply adjusting the knob orientation.
At a great price point and at only 5'6" in length, the Zebco 404 Spincast is sure to be one of the best fishing rods for kayak fishing you will ever use.
Pros:
Low price point
Push-button reel for ease of use
Easy casting for beginners
Can be purchased as a kit including 2-piece rod, push-button reel, and 28-piece tackle set
Cons:
Not the highest quality reel
Best telescopic fishing rods for kayaks
Telescopic rods make for great kayak fishing rods because they are collapsible into themselves and don't take up much space.
A huge part of kayak fishing is figuring out the gear you need to bring while keeping your vessel as light as possible.
Telescopic fishing rods allow you to conserve space without sacrificing the ability to have a great-quality rod.
In this section, you will find my recommendations for the best telescopic fishing rods for kayak fishing in 2023.
PLUSINNO Fishing Rod and Reel Combo - $32.99
Material: Carbon fiber
Length: From 5.91ft. to 8.86ft. depending on variant
Technique: Spinning
Handle Material: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate
Up first we have the PLUSINNO Fishing Rod and Reel Combo.
This fishing rod is suited for kayak fishing due to its ability to collapse and its durable carbon fiber construction.
The rod comes in multiple sized you can choose from, and whichever size you choose, you can be assured that the pole will have rigid durability and flexible elasticity.
Another great thing about this product is you can purchase it as a kit that comes with the rod, reel, fishing line, lures, and a nice carrying case.
Even with the full kit, the package will cost under $60, so it is still a budget-friendly price point.
The reel is constructed with instant anti-reverse to help prevent losing your prized fish.
This is one of the most popular fishing rods for kayaks on this list, and it is an impeccable value.
Pros:
Durable and flexible
Includes kit
Stores easily
Budget-friendly
Cons:
Fishing line quality isn't the best
Magreel Telescopic Fishing Rod and Reel Combo Set - $49.95
Material: Carbon fiber
Length: From 5.91ft. to 8.86ft. depending on variant
Technique: Spinning
Handle Material: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate
The next telescopic fishing rod on the list is the Magreel Telescopic Fishing Rod and Reel Combo Set.
This lightweight and portable rod and reel combo by Magreel is both budget-friendly and versatile.
The fishing rod is telescopic, and Magreel offers multiple size options to suit your needs.
It is a perfect option for kayak fishing, as you can purchase this rod with an option of 5.91 feet in length to ensure you have an agile rod that's short enough for perfect usability while in your kayak.
It's easy just to store in the trunk of your car, as it can completely retract into itself.
Whether you are a saltwater or freshwater fisherman, this rod and reel combo is one of the best fishing rods for a kayak you will find.
This fishing rod will come as a bundle that includes the rod, reel, fishing line, lures, and carrier bag, so it is one of the best values for kayak fishing rods.
Pros:
Lightweight
Includes kit
Stores easily
High-quality rod
Budget-friendly
Cons:
Not the highest quality reel
Ghosthorn Fishing Rod and Reel Combo - $66.92
Material: Fiberglass
Length: From 6ft. to 9ft. depending on variant
Technique: Spinning
Handle Material: Ethylene vinyl acetate
Another telescopic rod for portability is the Ghosthorn Fishing Rod and Reel Combo.
This rod is strong enough to reel in a big catch, and it is flexible enough to prevent breaking under higher pressures.
The ethylene handle of this fishing rod is designed to ergonomically fit your hand and provides performance-level grip. The reel is equipped with an oversized knob to allow for easy and quick reeling when you have a fish on.
This portable fishing rod is perfect for kayak fishing, as it includes a carrying case and collapses in on itself with its telescopic design. It can easily be put in a kayak hatch for storage, as it folds down to just 16 inches in length.
Other than setting up your line on your included reel, this fishing rod is pretty much setup already from the time you take it out of the packaging.
This rod is great for both freshwater and saltwater, but if you're planning to use this rod for larger saltwater fish, I would recommend going with the largest size available which is the 9' length, as you don't want to sacrifice durability by going with the smallest size if you're targeting large fish in the ocean.
The reel on this fishing rod is also ambidextrous, so you can switch the handle to either side based on your dominant hand.
The guides on this rod are built with quality in mind out of premium stainless steel, and they are colored to exhibit a sleek design.
Lastly, this rod has the option to come as a kit that includes the rod, reel, fishing line, and fishing lures in a convenient and portable carrying case, making this rod one of the best fishing rods for kayaks.
Pros:
Flexible
High-quality components
Comes as kit including rod, reel, fishing line, and fishing lures
Cons:
Sacrifices durability at the smaller sizes
Best 2-piece fishing rods for kayaks
A great alternative to a telescopic fishing rod that is still effective for kayak fishing is the 2-piece fishing rod.
2-piece fishing rods are unique in that instead of collapsing into themselves, they simply separate into two separate components.
This can prove to be advantageous for kayaks because they are still easy to store and transport when not in use.
In this section, you will find my recommendations for the best 2-piece fishing rods for kayaks in 2023.
KastKing Perigee II Fishing Rod - $49.99
Material: Graphite, carbon fiber
Length: From 7ft. to 7'6" depending on variant
Technique: Spinning
Handle Material: High density EVA
This kayak fishing rod is made by a company who was an award-winning manufacturer at iCast, the largest fishing trade show in the world.
The KastKing Perigee II is a 2-piece fishing rod that is suited for kayak fishing for its high-quality 24-ton KastFlex technology, its fast and lightweight flexibility, and its ability to be easily stored and transported in the hull of your vessel.
This fishing rod has both a fast action and high tension, allowing for speed and agility, as well as a larger catch without sacrificing durability.
The 2-piece construction will allow you to use this rod easily for kayak fishing in both freshwater and saltwater environments.
There are 40 variant options with this rod to choose from, depending on how light and fast you want your action to be.
With over 3,000 highly-rated reviews, and at an unbeatable price point, this is overall one of the best fishing rods for kayaks that made the list.
Pros:
Built with high-quality components
Multiple variant options to choose from
Innovative technology
Budget-friendly
Cons:
The lighter options are not as sturdy
Entsport E Series 2-Piece Casting Rod - $42.99
Material: Carbon Fiber
Length: 7'
Technique: Casting
Handle Material: EVA
Entsport is a small business with large standards of quality and affordability.
The Entsport E Series 2-Piece Casting Rod is a great 2-piece option for kayak fishing with the exceptional strength of its carbon fiber construction.
The truly unique bonus of purchasing this fishing rod is that you will receive two interchangeable tips for the rod. You will get the medium and medium-heavy tips, allowing you to easily switch between the two depending on the casting weight required.
The handle is made out of highly dense ethylene vinyl acetate, ensuring comfort and premium gripping ability.
The guides are made with corrosion-resistant material, and they are optimally spaced for maximum line flow and casting performance.
For the price point, this fishing rod is one of the best on this list for value, as you are basically getting two rods in one.
Pros:
Two different rod tips with different weights
Comfortable handle
Lightweight and exceptional strength
Budget-friendly
Cons:
Does not include reel
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the best fishing rod for kayak fishing, portability and accessibility are arguably the two most important qualities to look for.
Telescopic fishing rods are advantageous because they can easily collapse and fold down to a fraction of its extended size. This allows for storage in virtually any space, including a kayak hatch.
An alternative to this would be the 2-piece fishing rod, which tend to be longer-lasting due to the wear and tear a telescopic rod might experience after having been folded into and out of itself for many uses.
I hope this 2023 buying guide has offered some insight into the best fishing rods for kayaks.
