In this guide, we’ll take a look at the best kayak fishing rods for the UK market. We’ve compared length, line capacity, and handle type to give you our top recommendations.

What Is The Best Kayak Fishing Rod?

IMAGE RECOMMENDED PRODUCTSPRODUCT FEATURES
  • Telescopic rod 1.8m
  • Line capacity 1.4-2.7kg
  • Durable and resistant
  • 1.2m rod
  • Line capacity 3.6-5.4kg
  • Lightweight with excellent bite detection
  • 2.1m rod
  • Line capacity 3.6-5.4kg
  • Portable and resistant to damage
  • 1.8m telescopic rod
  • Luminous tip for night fishing
  • Strong and sensitive
  • 75cm one-handed rod
  • Affordable
  • Small but strong

More Detailed Kayak Fishing Rods

Magreel Telescopic Fishing Rod

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FEATURES
  • Telescopic rod 1.8m
  • Line capacity 1.4-2.7kg
  • Durable and resistant
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Magreel Telescopic Fishing Rod Review

The Magreel Telescopic Fishing Rod Set is the overall best rod and reel for kayak fishing. There are various sizes available from 1.8 to 2.7m, each with a telescopic handle. The handle is lightweight and easy to fit in smaller kayaks.

It can handle light fish in both fresh and saltwater conditions. The carbon fiber and stainless steel rod is resistant to rust and damage so that you can enjoy years of use.

Shakespeare Unisex Ugly Stik GX2 Kayak Fishing Rod

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  • 1.2m rod
  • Line capacity 3.6-5.4kg
  • Lightweight with excellent bite detection
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Shakespeare Unisex Ugly Stik GX2 Kayak Fishing Rod Review

The Shakespeare Unisex Ugly Stix is the runner up and is specially designed for kayak fishing. It is a shorter length with medium action, which makes it suitable for small to medium-sized fish.

It can fit easily in a kayak and is made of very light graphite. The rod is very sensitive to bites and is stiff enough to allow you to catch larger fish while still sitting.

Lixada Telescopic Kayak Fishing Rod

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  • 2.1m rod
  • Line capacity 3.6-5.4kg
  • Portable and resistant to damage
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Lixada Telescopic Kayak Fishing Rod Review

The Lixada Full Kit is the best rod and reel combo for kayak fishing on a budget. It is a longer rod at 2.1m, which is best suited to ocean fishing.

This kit features a reel that is interchangeable left and right. The rod has a telescopic design that is portable and fits in any kayak. We also like the carbon fiber construction that resists scratching and corrosion.

QUDRAKAST 2020 New-Generation Fishing Rod

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  • 1.8m telescopic rod
  • Luminous tip for night fishing
  • Strong and sensitive
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QUDRAKAST 2020 New-Generation Fishing Rod Review

The QUDRAKAST Fishing Rod is the best kayak fishing rod for night fishing. It has a luminous green tip that can glow in the dark and is visible in poor weather conditions.

The carbon fiber rod is strong but sensitive, picking up on any bites. It has a telescopic design and ergonomic grip, so you can transport it easily and fish for hours in comfort.

Fladen 12-460-2 Cup Trigger Kayak Fishing Rod

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FEATURES
  • 75cm one-handed rod
  • Affordable
  • Small but strong
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Fladen 12-460-2 Cup Trigger Kayak Fishing Rod Review

The Fladen Fishing Rod is the best miniature kayak fishing rod. It measures just 75cm and weighs 200g. This makes it easy to slip into your kayak and catch small-sized fish from short distances.

This affordable rod is small but surprisingly strong. You can use it with one hand and attach a standard reel. We recommend a multiplier reel with this particular kayak fishing rod. Overall, the rod is better suited to freshwater fishing.

Kayak Fishing Rod FAQ

What type of rod do you need for kayak fishing?

Some fishing rods are specifically designed for kayak fishing. You can also use standard types, but there are a few factors to consider:

  • Length
  • Action
  • Storage
  • Type of reel

The length of the rod is an essential factor. We will discuss this in length in the next section. However, an intermediate-length rod is usually the best choice.

Fishing rods have different kinds of action. Action refers to how much the tip of the fishing rod bends when you exert pressure on it. Fast action rods bend less and higher than medium and low action rods.

The best rod and reel for saltwater kayak fishing has fast action. You can pull in the fish quickly without worrying about snags. However, if you fish in lakes or rivers with underwater features, you should opt for a slower action.

Because kayaks are short on space, you should choose a rod that can be split into multiple pieces, has telescopic action, or is shorter overall. That way, you can tuck it inside the boat until you get to the fishing spot.

When it comes to the reel, you can generally choose between fixed spool and multiplier reels. If you kayak fish in saltwater, you should avoid a fixed spool reel because saltwater damages it faster.

What size rod do you need for kayak fishing?

There are three general rod lengths: short (approx 1.7m), medium (approx 1.9m), and long (approx 2.1m). Which rod is better for kayak fishing depends on your style of fishing and the conditions.

Short rods are a good option when you need high levels of accuracy. This accuracy is essential in water environments with a lot of rocks and other underwater terrains. You also have more leverage when you are bringing in fish.

However, short rods are not the most suitable for luring. It is difficult to move the rod enough that the lure is exaggerated. You will need to expend much more effort.

Long rods are the best option if you need to cast long distances. You can throw a lot further and more efficiently, and it’s also easy to move around the lure with minimal effort. Furthermore, long rods allow you to keep more line above the water where it is visible.

However, long rods are at a greater danger of breaking. If you catch a fish close to the kayak and pull it up too high, it can put a lot of pressure on one point of your rod. This can break the rod if you don’t take care.

Medium rods are a good balance. You still have reasonable accuracy and leverage, and it’s not as challenging to move the lure around.

Conclusion

A good kayak fishing rod is an essential tool. The best kayak fishing rods are small enough to fit in your boat and large enough that you can cast and lure with ease.

The Magreel Telescopic Fishing Rod and Spinning Reel Combo Set is the best overall option for its lightweight telescopic handle and durable construction.

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