Rod length

Being a shore fisherman converting to kayak fishing I am wondering whether the preferred rod lengths are different.  From the shore you want to cast as far as possible so a longer rod is beneficial.   I have rods from 12' to 8-1/2' and nothing shorter.  I have also tended to heavier rods with nothing less than medium action.  The 12' is a surf rod and I've used it mostly in Hawaii for dunking and wind drifting (off shore wind with a balloon!).

I have no specific trolling or mooching rigs. 

I like a general purpose ocean rod to be 7 to 8 feet in length medium fast action.  I have rods over 8ft but for the kayak I keep two things in mind.  First the ability to stow and retrieve from my sitting position into the dry well with reasonable ease.  Second is maneuverability around the tip of the kayak.  If the rod breaks down into two pieces, your pretty set to pick any length.  My shorter heavy rods don't break down and I don't have a problem.  I just saw the BIG 5 store in Redmond OR has a sweet 7ft Shimano medium heavy/fast action single piece for 29.00.  Nice sturdy guides.  I would have picked it up but just got the same rod model in an 8ft two piece (so it would fit in my hatch easy) as a back up.
-Scott

Being a shore fisherman converting to kayak fishing I am wondering whether the preferred rod lengths are different.  From the shore you want to cast as far as possible so a longer rod is beneficial.   I have rods from 12' to 8-1/2' and nothing shorter.  I have also tended to heavier rods with nothing less than medium action.  The 12' is a surf rod and I've used it mostly in Hawaii for dunking and wind drifting (off shore wind with a balloon!).

I have no specific trolling or mooching rigs. 

A lot depends on what you plan to fish for, but my yak preferences are evolving towards somewhat shorter rods, at least compared to what I typically use on my PB or from shore. More important to me than overall length though is I want the butt section to be shorter for yak fishing.

- Karl