Rod Length

[Bostonstronggggg]

What's the best all around length for a baitcasting rod? A 6'6" MH or a 7'0" MH? Is 1/2 a foot really gonna make that big of a difference? I mean, I'd like to get the 6'6" over a 7'0" rod, because I fish around a lot of brush, but if a 7'0" rod gives some major advantages, like casting distance, then I don't mind it. What are your thoughts?

[Ozark_Basser]

The seven footer will cast a little further. It will be a little harder to be accurate close range though. I like seven footers for most applications.

[Bluebasser86]

I can launch a bait a long ways with my 6' 6" MH/F LTB but a 7' rod is going to give you a little more distance but casting distance shouldn't be a big concern if you're fishing around a lot of brush. 

[robster80]

ive come to prefer the 7ft and can cast plenty accurate with it but still use my 6'6 and 6'8 and can cast plenty far with them. if your leaning toward the 6'6 go that route

[John G]

I like 6'6" and under for casting one handed and the shorter rods come in handy when fishing from the bank where trees are a concern.

[smalljaw67]

I have a good mix of 7' and shorter rods and what I can tell you is my main spinnerbait rod is a 6'6" MH-F because casting distance isn't bad but more importantly I can cast more accurately with it. I target fish spinnerbaits, I don't make real long casts in open water, I'm making my casts into small pocts between weed beds and nothing like a 6'6" rod for that. The same thing for topwater rods, 6'10" and under is what I like and my frog rod, it is a 6'10" H-F, I feel I have more control of my bait and they are more comfortable for me to fish with. Get what works for you.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

^{Get the length you want. There wont be huge differences at all. I use mostly 7'+ and dont notice any accuracy gains going down to my sub 7' rods. The length gains from 6'6" to 7' isnt great  either.} 

Most people say they fish within 100' even my 4'6" rod can get that distance. Even cranks unless you go to 7'6" or 8' is where noticeable gains kick in.

[WIGuide]

Length is a personal preference. Personally I like the shorter rods  under 7' but I know some wouldn't consider throwing anything under 7'. You're going to gain accuracy with a shorter rod, and you'll gain some distance with a longer rod. The other thing to think about is what you'll be fishing out of with it. In a smaller boat you might want to consider a shorter one as well. I know one of my friends likes longer rods and doesn't pay much attention other than to what he's doing and I find myself standing as far towards his back deck as possible because if I didn't I'd have some hooks buried in me. I'd suggest going to the tackle shop and handling a few to see which you feel more comfortable with. 

[deep]

All my rods are 7'6" or longer. I'd go 100% eight footers if they made them in the actions and powers I prefer. Making accurate casts is definitely not a problem for me, but I fish "cover" a lot less than some of you seem to do.

 

Definitely a personal preference.

[DocNsanE]

The other slight factor to consider is a longer rod will move more line with the same amount of motion. I **think** it comes out to something like if you move your rod 30 degrees, at 7' you are moving 10% more line than at 6'6". This can come into play with hooksets and the action your are imparting on the bait.

 

 

7'0 or 6'6", it really comes down to preference. The difference isn't 100% negligible but the experience you gain with the rod you choose will be more important overall.

[KayakKid]

I like 7+ foot rods because I prefer longer handles. I do have a few 6' and 6 1/2' rods that I use while kayaking, but for everything else I think 7 foot or higher is the way to go.

[RAMBLER]

I prefer 5' 6" to 6'6" because they are easier for me to handle than a 7'.  Also, when comparing lengths of rods, sometimes quite a bit of the difference in length is the length of the handle.  I really like to use the 5'6" to 6' rod with a pistol grip.  One of my main concerns in rod length is the length of the rod from the reel to the tip, not from the end of the handle to the tip.  If you like to cast with both hands (and I do with the longer rods) then a long handle is a good thing to have.

[new2BC4bass]

I prefer longer rods....but given your circumstance, I would opt for the shorter rod.  What good are a few extra feet (or yards) if you can't make the cast?  I absolutely prefer baitcast to spinning for everything, but have to admit than when I am surrounded by bushes, the best option is a short spinning rod.

[Big Bait Fishing]

8' casting rod, 7'6"-7'8" spinning rod ,& 8'6"-9' swimbait rods ...

[OleManHiggins]

I would go 6'6" or 6' spinning rod.  I often fish around brush and it really helps to have a shorter rod for accuracy.  Not to mention I'm not that tall so its much more comfortable and I feel like I have more control.   

[Bruce424]

6'6" is probly best all around. Not too short not too overbearing. Can pretty much do everything with that size rod just as you could with a seven footer. No worries.

[Capt.Bob]

I have both, the 7' will give more distance at the cost of accuracy. I like longer rods on open water and especially when fishing deeper water like over 20' for shallower water and when extreme distance isn't a must I prefer the 6'6 and sometimes 6' rods.