I guess that might depend on what fish I'm trying to catch.

But, in general, what length is a kayak rod? Why?

Are kayak rods any different than another rod? I did see one that floats.

Do any of you kayakers use kayak specific rods or just any ol rod that works.

short

you can buy those tubes that kids use in swimming pools & make good rod holders

Anyone that is rated by the weight.

Not this time.

I tend to like my shorter handle rods, and also a little more flexible rod for moving baits like crankbaits, spinnerbaits and rat-l-traps.

The shorter handle rods are easier to get in and out of rod holders when I'm trolling, and the flexible rods help when fighting fish close to the boat (don't want a lot pressure on the fish or my rod when he's up close with a mouth full of trebles!)

I fish crankbaits a lot, and troll a LOT with my kayak just so you know where I'm coming from.

You might also take into consideration on how long your kayak is. You'll need a rod length to clear the bow incase the fish decides to go on the other side. I have a 16ft tarpon and I need 7ft rods to clear the bow, shorter rods don't normally work well in that case.

I will second dmccoy26 statement. If you are fishing for bigger fish you want a rod that will clear the bow. If fishing real baits I perfer a longer handle. If you have flush mount rod holders you will have more rod in the holder.

What type of fishing are you looking at?

I use everything from 6 ft to 9 foot from the kayak. I sometimes carry a 12 footer with but I don't fish from the kayak with it.
You can add rod floats or you can leash them but if you don't do one or the other you can lose them.

I have a 12 ft yak and use two 6 ft 6 in rods, medium action, for medium to heavy tackle. And one spinning reel with a 6 ft rod, but I'm changing to a 7 ft rod to see if I can get better cast. I have floaters on all my rods.

good points on longer rods

as far as clearing the bow

i have had 7 footers hang up in trees & have switched to short rods

they can also get hung up

i am talking about floating in trees mainly on lakes

I usually use a 6 foot medium action baitcasting rod and a 6.5 foot medium-light spinning rod for most of my casting. I use 7 foot baitcasting rods for trolling because my rod holders are in front of me in the center of the yak and I need the extra distance to get away from the paddle stroke.