Length For A Flipping/punching Rod-Benefits Of Longer Rod?

[primetime]

I know that most people like to flip and punch heavy jigs and weights with a 7'0 and longer rod, and most people I know use a 7'6" or longer for weights over an ounce and I guess it helps with leverage pulling out fish.

 

I currently use a 7 foot heavy action rod, although being short (My licence states 5'6") I  prefer a shorter rod in the 6'6"-6-9" range as I can flip with more precision and my rod tip will not hit the water when casting. I know leverage is important, and I can use a long rod with a modified side arm cast, but is a long rod necessary?  I feel accuracy and a quiet entry is most important although I am new when it comes to using heavy weights over 3/4.

 

I have seen how effective a heavy weight can be and especially a fast falling bait.  I just picked up some Punch rigs/Jigs from Siebert that look awesome and I plan to get them wet later this week, so I was wondering what most people use? If tossing a 1-1/4 ounce weight, what rod size is best?

 

Thanks.

[BobP]

Accuracy and a quiet entry are both important, and most guys find a long rather than short rod makes both easier.  You can certainly pitch and flip longer distances with a longer rod.  And I don't see how your height should enter into the equation since your rod tip shouldn't get that near the water for either presentation.  However, if 6'9" is your comfort level and you're accurate with that length...(que the music) Don't worry, be happy.

[J Francho]

Pitching, no advantage.  Flipping, a little more distance.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The  way a lever works, a longer rod tip actually gives the fish more leverage. A longer rod has a little more reach like JF said and takes up line a little faster on a hookset. 

[Catch and Grease]

But you HAVE to use a long rod, that's how everyone on TV does it! Don't you wanna be as good as them??

Just kidding, If you prefer shorter rods then use em!

[F14A-B]

I used a heavy 6'6" rod in Florida for years... It was fine, I fished the thickest hydrilla on the water, no problems, I also used a 6'10 pitching rod by loomis (gl3) it was a great rod for pitching.

Doug Hannon used 4' custom builds for close combat and said it was a load of fun fighting bigger fish.... I don't see it as a issue really, I do use 7'11 , 7'5" & 7' heavys... But sometimes that extra length does get in the way...

[WRB]

Dee Thomas stayed seated when flipping with a 14' rod, no reel and won several national bass tournaments.

Longer rods work better for flipping.

Tom

[smalljaw67]

I have a 7'6" flipping stick and a 7'2" pitching rod, I can't pitch with the flipping stick as it just doesn't feel right and I'm 6'2" tall. I can flip close quarters with the 7'2" which is what I use most of the time now but we do very little flipping as our waters are too clear to get close enough so pitching really is better. That said, if you flip, a long rod really will work better, you can get to places without getting too close and spook the fish and you got a lot more leverage to pull a big fish out quickly.

[A-Jay]

Use a stick length that is comfortable for You.

 

As long as your selection includes a system (rod, reel, line & terminal tackle) that allows you to make quiet, accurate presentations while possessing the overall strength to apply max winching pressure on big fish.

 

A-Jay

[primetime]

Thanks for all the responses, I think I am going to start practicing with a longer rod as I do see the benefits, I am just used to flipping with a shorter rod. I have been using a shorter rod for so long that an 8' rod just feels way too long for me to have any control over it. I just need to get a new rod that is long, heavy action, and light, since my 2 Bass Pro Extremes from the 90's are HEAVY compared to the 7'6" rods today and are not split grip, but they make good Saltwater Rods, as the new flipping/punching rods I have held are light and I am sure a few hours of practice and I will be good to go, but I will borrow one before making a purchase over$100.

[smalljaw67]

Thanks for all the responses, I think I am going to start practicing with a longer rod as I do see the benefits, I am just used to flipping with a shorter rod. I have been using a shorter rod for so long that an 8' rod just feels way too long for me to have any control over it. I just need to get a new rod that is long, heavy action, and light, since my 2 Bass Pro Extremes from the 90's are HEAVY compared to the 7'6" rods today and are not split grip, but they make good Saltwater Rods, as the new flipping/punching rods I have held are light and I am sure a few hours of practice and I will be good to go, but I will borrow one before making a purchase over$100.

 

Just remember, flipping is different than pitching, I can pitch with a shorter rod, in fact I use to pitch with '6" and 6'9" rods until I found a longer rod that worked for me. So if you're pitching you can get away with a shorter rod, and as I said, 7'2" is now my main weapon as my 7'6" flipping stick is awkward to pitch with. I say this because I like shorter rods overall but I just can't imagine flipping with a rod less than 7'.

[primetime]

I am talking Flipping/Punching with heavier weights than I usually use. I have always used 3/8-3/4 without a problem getting through, but recently I have seen the benefit of having a bait fall through the mat faster with 1 oz plus, and I have always felt an ounce we too heavy and too fast in shallow water....However, I could not get bit a few weeks ago with my normal weights and my friend was getting bit on the drop with a 1 oz weight, and they would not hit the slower falling bait that was 1/2-3/4, and I guess I didn't realize that the water could be clearer than I would think, or they were just more active than I assumed.

 

I also realized that I was avoiding some of the real heavy stuff in favor of open pockets and easier areas to land fish, but that is what most people do so it makes sense to get into the nasty stuff other people pass up.