In response to Chip'n question about the Okuma Baidarka on another thread, I saw them a while back and looked them up but after seeing the lengths of them I was put off. They are suppose to have a kayak specific "action" what ever that is when the rod is 7' and 7'6"... I would imagine that most of the time a parabolic action is more desirable on the yak but at 7'6" that would be a mission.
The attach point for the leash for me is in the wrong place for my stlye of fishing but I guess thats more personal preference than anything.
The floating thing I dont really think is necessary if you leash your rods to the kayak, okay if the rod naturally floats without any mods having to be added but I can't think what they've added to make it float with a reel on it.
I'd like to see one in the flesh anyways but don't think i'd buy one.

I have absolutely no trouble handling big fish on  a 7' Sp rod while fishing from a kayak.    Manyatimes I had to pass the rod over my bow when a strong fish wanted to drag my tip under the hull and was glad to have the extra lenght.    On the other hand I tested a 5' Penn kayak rod and found it to be a real lifeless stump puller that took the fun out of fishing.   

I know the rod length thing is fairly well sorted for both sides and it's all about the individual (as is pretty much everything to do with fishing) but that particular penn rod is hardly a bench mark to judge short rods by. I think that rod to be another example of things being designed for kayakers by non-kayakers. The ugly stick kayak rod is too for that matter, a 1-3kg 3' & 4' kids rod renamed kayak rod does not make it a kayak rod IMO.

It works if your going to pull up average snapper but its got basically no grips so it's hard to fight a fish for a long time. If ya get a kahawai your screwed, the rod just turns inside out being as noddly as it is.
I don't think its the one he's getting though....


It's got no reel on it cause it died a horrible death after one day out (daiwa regal).
Every other uglystik I've had I love.

I think the common thing that is coming thru here is personal preference.  I like the length of the rod that I currently have but was sick of not having any low down grunt. I am no expert but for me the rod I currently have was long enough to go around the front.

I will post pictures of my new rod later this evening for those concerned about its yak fish ability.  No it isn't a kayak fishing rod - but its gonna suit me fine. The tackle shop I frequent is now sold out of these little rods. With me getting the last one. Robin Brooke got the other three.

May I remind some of you that it wasn't that long ago I was fishing with 65pd braid on a 4kg rod. So one evolutionary step at a time for me I thinks!

I second that after seeing you pull up that 15LBer the other day

Told ya he sleeps with it!!Its on the bed 

PK  

Thanks Rainbow that sounds like me, simple . What sort of dollars are they ? I am going to Australia next week do you think it would be any cheaper there or duty fee ? Would you be better keeping it on your self incase you got seperated from your yak and then you could call up the coastguard " hi I am just floating around 10km off Taranaki at such n such a location etc " Thanks Andrew

After getting carried away and highsticking a good king yesterday I ended up with a brand new 2-piece rod