Rod Length

[Hogs4Dayz]

My first baitcaster was a Abu Garcia Promax Combo. The rod measures 7 feet long, although im only 5'4" i never really had a problem with it although people say if you are on the shorter side using 7 foot rods are too tiring. With that said i need an upgrade so im getting some new gear a Lews BB1 and an *** Black rod. So the question is, what length is right for me?

[deep]

Whatever length you're comfortable with. It has nothing to do with your height.

[Darren.]

I prefer short rods, and I'm between 5'6" and 5'7"

but it's primarily because of my kayaking preference.

 

Shorter rods are more accurate for me, and better

for the areas I fish.

 

Short is also relative. 5'9" is probably my fav length

for yak fishing, though I normally carry 6'6" rods

today because that's all I can get Carbonlites in 

for the actions I prefer.

 

One of my boys who loves saltwater fishing uses a 

7 foot rod with no problems at all.

[Drew03cmc]

Im about 5'7" and I like my casting rods at 5'6" and spinning rods at 6'. I fish from either a canoe or yak and don't fish big water.

[boostr]

It has more to do with what technique your using.

[Big Bait Fishing]

i prefer longer rods as my casting rod is 7'11'' & my spinning rod is 7'8'' .  I also have two swimbait rods , one 8'6'' & the other one is 9' . i started off fishing a 7' casting rod but when i started into swimbait fishing , using longer rods then going back to shorter ones felt awkward , plus i like longer rear handles , alll my casting and spinning rods have 16'' handles and my swimbait rods have 18'' handles , so having a 6'6'' rod with a 16'' handles would be like fishing with a kids fishing rod . btw, i'm 6'1'' , i think rod length has nothing to do with your height as there are plenty of musky fisherman who are short and they fish 8-9 ft. rods no problem ...

[FishTank]

For me rod length is technique specific and also for casting accuracy.  The shorter the rod generally the more accurate my cast are.  For me the ideal length is 6'8".  It is a good go between.   I also like it to be either a x-fast or fast rod and MH.

[WRB]

You are comfortable with a 7' rod, most popular bass rod length. You are the person fishing with the rod, don't be swayed by other anglers, if it feels right it's right for you.

Tom

[RoLo]

I've noticed that over the years the average length of fishing rods has been creeping upward  

Back in the day, the average rod was 6 to 6-1/2 ft long, but today it's more like 7 to 7-1/2 ft long  

 

Rod length has very little to do with angler height; only one exception comes to mind:

When working a jerkbait with downward strokes toward the water, a 5-1/2 foot angler with a 7-1/2 foot rod

will be smacking the water. Aside from that one exception, rod length has little to do with angler height,

but everything to do with the job at hand. Based on the trend toward longer rods,

anglers are aware of the advantages of a longer rod, but a shorter rod offers several important benefits:

 

 => Leverage:

          This is the most controversial advantage of a short rod, but it’s not my law it's the law of physics.

          The longer the rod, the more leverage you give to the fish (for example, the 5-ft strokers used for standup tuna fishing).

 => Sensitivity:

          As the rod length approaches hand-lining, the greater the sensitivity (the same reason why some lay the line over a finger).

 => Cast Accuracy:

          Based on the law of 'accumulation-of-error', the shorter rod offers more casting accuracy (left & right)

 => Water Clearance:

          As noted above, this is only important when using downward strokes, for instance with a Zara Spook.

 => Rod Storage:

          Short rods create fewer storage issues than long rods (at home, in the car and in the boat)

 

Roger

[Darren.]

I've noticed that over the years the average length of fishing rods has been creeping upward  

Back in the day, the average rod was 6 to 6-1/2 ft long, but today it's more like 7 to 7-1/2 ft long  

 

Rod length has very little to do with angler height; only one exception comes to mind:

When working a jerkbait with downward strokes toward the water, a 5-1/2 foot angler with a 7-1/2 foot rod

will be smacking the water. Aside from that one exception, rod length has little to do with angler height,

but everything to do with the job at hand.

Although the trend has been toward longer rods, a shorter rod offers several important benefits:

 

 => Leverage:

            This is the most controversial advantage of a short rod, but it’s not my law it's the law of physics.

            The longer the rod, the more leverage you give to the fish (as an example, the 5-ft strokers used for standup fishing).

 => Sensitivity:

        As the rod length approaches hand-lining, the greater the sensitivity (the same reason why some lay the line over a finger).

 => Cast Accuracy:

            Based on the law of 'accumulation-of-error', the shorter rod offers more casting accuracy

 => Water Clearance:

            As noted above, this is only important when using downward strokes, for instance with a Zara Spook.

 => Rod Storage:

            Short rods create fewer storage issues than long rods (at home, in the car and in the boat)

 

Roger

 

Agree with everything you said, Roger.

 

I simply cannot do jerk baits well while standing in 

my kayak with longer rods. Even the 6'6" rods are 

a bit too long for that.

 

One reason I hardly ever fish that technique.

[Jrob78]

I've noticed that over the years the average length of fishing rods has been creeping upward  

Back in the day, the average rod was 6 to 6-1/2 ft long, but today it's more like 7 to 7-1/2 ft long  

 

Rod length has very little to do with angler height; only one exception comes to mind:

When working a jerkbait with downward strokes toward the water, a 5-1/2 foot angler with a 7-1/2 foot rod

will be smacking the water. Aside from that one exception, rod length has little to do with angler height,

but everything to do with the job at hand. Based on the trend toward longer rods,

anglers are aware of the advantages of a longer rod, but a shorter rod offers several important benefits:

 

 => Leverage:

          This is the most controversial advantage of a short rod, but it’s not my law it's the law of physics.

          The longer the rod, the more leverage you give to the fish (as an example, the 5-ft strokers used for standup fishing).

 => Sensitivity:

          As the rod length approaches hand-lining, the greater the sensitivity (the same reason why some lay the line over a finger).

 => Cast Accuracy:

          Based on the law of 'accumulation-of-error', the shorter rod offers more casting accuracy

 => Water Clearance:

          As noted above, this is only important when using downward strokes, for instance with a Zara Spook.

 => Rod Storage:

          Short rods create fewer storage issues than long rods (at home, in the car and in the boat)

 

Roger

One thing you didn't mention is casting distance.  A longer rod will generally cast farther than a shorter one.  Accuracy will generally suffer though.  Casting distance is important with some techniques and not so much with others.

[Darren.]

One thing you didn't mention is casting distance.  A longer rod will generally cast farther than a shorter one.  Accuracy will generally suffer though.  Casting distance is important with some techniques and not so much with others.

 

Agreed with both points. Longer casts, less accuracy.

 

At least based on my experience. 

[RoLo]

One thing you didn't mention is casting distance.  A longer rod will generally cast farther than a shorter one.  Accuracy will generally suffer though.  Casting distance is important with some techniques and not so much with others.

 

My post was only meant to point out the benefits of a shorter rod, I didn't mention any benefits of a long rod.

 

Central Florida is laden with shallow weedy lakes, where the most important benefit of a long rod is the 'haul stroke'.

A long rod with a stiff spine is best for quickly turning the head of a bass before it gets hopelessly buried in the cover.

Oh yeah, one other benefit of a long rod. When a hat blows off, the long rod is best for fishing a hat out of the lake 

 

Roger

[Jrob78]

My post was only meant to point out the benefits of a shorter rod, I didn't mention any benefits of a long rod.

 

Central Florida is laden with shallow weedy lakes, where the most important benefit of a long rod is the 'haul stroke'.

A long rod with a stiff spine is best for quickly turning the head of a bass before it gets hopelessly buried in the cover.

Oh yeah, one other benefit of a long rod. When a hat blows off, the long rod is best for fishing a hat out of the lake 

 

Roger

 

No, you weren't mentioning the benefits of longer rods.  Perhaps I should have added my point without quoting you, sorry about that.

[RoLo]

No, you weren't mentioning the benefits of longer rods.  Perhaps I should have added my point without quoting you, sorry about that.

 

Don't be silly, I like to be quoted  

[Hogs4Dayz]

Thanks guys the help really does mean the world

[smalljaw67]

a 7' *** won't be as clumsy as what you have now, the difference in weight will amaze you and you'll find it hard to pick up a combo like the pro max. There isn't anything wrong with the combo you have, but the rod and reel you are getting are way above what you have, like I said, 7' rod will be fine.

[WRB]

Back in the day before straight handle trigger stick designs became popular for bait casters, spinning were straight handles, casting rods had pistol grip style handles that were very short. Today's rods have handles that average 12"-14" long, longer for rods over 7 1/2'+. 13" handle verses 7" short handle = 6": that is added to the rod length in front of the reel. A 6' rod with a pistol grip or short handle has the same length rod, reel forward, as a 6 1/2' rod with a straight handle. The 6 1/2' rod has more leverage than the 6' short handle because the fulcrum point is moved forward (Archimedes principle) on today's straight handle. The casting accuracy is also equal or better with the rod length from the reel seat forward being equal and better balance. The next factor to consider is rod action, the length of the rods upper section flexibility ( the lever). Today's 7' rods are 6" longer between the reel seat and rod tip than short handle rods, this allows for a longer flexing length or more parabolic (lever) length that improves casting accuracy. The short stiff "broom stick" rods, we had back in the day, were very difficult to cast accurately and the bass had the advantage near the boat making very difficult to to control big bass.

Tom

[WPCfishing]

I finally found a couple of 6 foot rods I wanted for short casting Jigs and worms accurately. I bought both and I'm buying a third on Monday. Not easy to find when money is an object.

I almost went custom but that can also be expensive and

there is no guarantee the rod will be what you expected and it can't be returned.. (I think) So first I bought a Shock rod which is a good rod, better than I expected. Then a G Loomis IMX Classic. Monday I pay for a St Croix Avid.

As for longer rods I like a 7 footer for deep cranks and a 6'6" for square bills and heavier spinnerbaits.

The 6ers will do the rest.

[Raul]

My first baitcaster was a Abu Garcia Promax Combo. The rod measures 7 feet long, although im only 5'4" i never really had a problem with it although people say if you are on the shorter side using 7 foot rods are too tiring. With that said i need an upgrade so im getting some new gear a Lews BB1 and an *** Black rod. So the question is, what length is right for me?

 

The one you like the most, I´m 5'8", most of my rods are 6´, have several 6´6" and a few 7´ , the get used the most are the 6 fters simply because there´s a bunch of overhanging stuff and longer rods can easily hang up.