By Paul Lebowitz

Custom craftsman Erik Kunz shares his take on kayak rod design

Kayaks are obviously not typical fishing craft. They’re more like floating benches. At best, we have a cockpit measuring 3 by 4 ft in which to fight our fish. And while we’re doing it, we’re planted square on our keesters. No wonder rods designed for people who fish standing up don’t always fit the bill.

What should be different? I have my own ideas, but asked Erik Kunz of KZ's Reel Rods for his take on kayak rod design. A through and through kayak angler who is also a master custom rod builder, Kunz could well be the leading West Coast expert on the subject. According to Kunz, there are four or five design features that can make a rod ideal for kayak fishing. Let’s take a closer look:

FLOTATION: Given treacherous surf launchings and landings and the ‘oops’ factor, inherent flotation is a big plus in a kayak rod. On his custom sticks, Kunz extends the fore grip and uses highly buoyant material. He also selects lighter weight components and blanks, so it won’t take quite as much to float a rod.

A CUSTOM KAYAK RIG – Due to our ‘sit-down’ fishing style, average every-day rods don’t always cut it. According to custom rod buider Erik Kunz, the ideal kayak fishing stick comes with extra floatation for those ‘oops’ moments, is built of tough materials, has a shortened butt section for ease of handling, and enough reach to get around the bow.

LEASH POINT: Despite the best efforts, design considerations sometimes dictate a rod that doesn’t float. In any case, a leash point is a simple insurance policy. Kunz feels leash type and location are a matter of preference. For his own part, he likes a leash at or just in front of the reel seat. The central location keeps the leash out of the way most of the time. In this application, a rod ring will do the job. Trigger sticks are easier; Kunz simply drills a small hole. “It’s integrated right into the design, with nothing extra hanging off,” Kunz points out.

BLANK TYPE: Kayak anglers tend to high-stick when landing fish. It’s really tough on rods. Fragile graphite can snap. Accordingly, Kunz prefers graphite composites with fiberglass tips. They are much more resistant to breakage.

ROD LENGTH:  The nose of a 15 or 16-ft long ocean-going fishing kayak is a quite a stretch from the cockpit. To ensure most anglers can get a rod tip around the bow, Kunz recommends a 7 to 7.5-ft rod. “It’s not unwieldy and long enough to provide shock absorption,” Kunz further points out.

REAR GRIP LENGTH: Long rod butts are awkward when you’re stuck in a seated position. To ease handling, Kunz aims for a 12-in butt. A rear grip that is too long is an encumbrance.

MISCELLANEOUS: As with other types of fishing, optimal rod action depends on the fishing technique. In kayak-specific terms, Kunz favors a bit of a parabolic action for a trolling rod. It provides a couple of extra seconds to drop the paddle and pull the rod out of the holder. Kayak rods used in saltwater take a ferocious beating because they are never more than inches above the water. Kunz feels highly corrosion resistant materials are critical.