6' fluke rod, am I really hindering myself?

[fishwizzard]

I have become enamored with fluke fishing of late and need a decent M action spinning rod in any case, as my current one is a 6'6" Shakespeare that I found in the woods and it is about as sensitive as a chef's hands.  

From reading a bunch of old threads on here I have decided that a M/XF is about what I am looking for, but I know the trend in rods is for ones in the 7' range.  I just picked up a custom 6' ML rod and while it seems to cast flukes fine, I can't get as good an action on them as with my Shakespeare.  My question is, is the extra 6" of length necessary, or will a stiffer and higher quality rod let me work a fluke well?  The other factor is that my M rod is spooled with braid and the ML one is spooled with 6lb YZ Hybrid, so is the line stretch a factor as well? I am a big believer in Microwave guides as well so casting distance isn't going to be an issue I am worried about. 

This rod will also be used for weightless senkos and  t-rigged vilecraws as well, but it is going to be a fluke rod most of the time.  

Thanks. 

[Airman4754]

I only fish double flukes, because why not? Anyways I throw them on my cheapest rod. It's a 7' M/F and it does just fine. When the post spawn is in full swing they attack them like crazy, cheap rod and all. 

It's a reaction bait, nothing special is needed. 

[dam0007]

6'6" MH/F here I fish flukes over weed beds and around laydowns. The short length allows me to work it with out slapping the top of the water and the power is there to turn a fishes head from cover. 

[LuckyHandsINC.]

I use a 6'8 mh rod. Just taking a guess but I have a feeling you poor action is related to the ml power and not the length of the rod.

[smalljaw67]

I can fish a fluke on any length rod, 6'6" and 6'9" are my preferred length for that. The problem you have now is you have a 6' rod that is a medium light power with 6lb line, as you found out it will cast a fluke well but that is the only thing it will do well with a fluke. I'll be willing to bet that the rod lacks sufficient backbone to really set the hook well and the tip section is more than likely too soft to work the bait. Get a rod in the 6' to 6'10 range that is a medium power fat or extra fast action. My favorite rod to fish flukes on in open water or in sparse cover is a 6'9" medium power, extra fast spinning rod, it makes working the bait and setting the hook child's play.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Sounds like power and action are the issue more than the length. The 6' Rod will be accurate with a slight decrease in max distance. A fair trade in my book for this application. A med or mh XF depending on cover should work. Ideally a popping type action which is fast but soft .