Rod vs height

[fluna]

I am 5'4" and brought up short people should use short rods. I am looking for new rod for my Curado I. I fish a lot of top water poppers and buzzbaits. I currently use 6' spinning rods but dont get much distance.

[Scott F]

Explain why your height would effect your choice of rod length.  I can see no reason why you shouldn't use a rod as long as you like. Fly rodders commonly use 9ft fly rods. Steelhead and musky fishermen use 8-9ft rods all the time. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Nonsense to put it bluntly. I have rods as long as 13' and not tall be any means. Use what's comfortable and works for you. 

[Angry John]

I have been trying to figure out a formula for rod handle length but the rod itself is a function of what you are trying to accomplish.  I feel like taller people would appreciate a longer handle on a jig or frog rod but the length of the rod for frogging has more to do with the cover and application than the height of the user.

[GaterB]

I'm 6'7" and feel that preferred rod length is unique to each angler. I've heard many say that taller anglers prefer taller rods, and visa versa. I completely disagree. Here's my take: If the theory that a taller angler would prefer longer rods were true, then I should be comfortable making low or skip casts with a 7' or longer rod, and working topwaters and jerkbaits with rods of these lengths shouldn't be a problem. Well, I still prefer rods well under 7' for these applications. My arms are proportional to my body, so when I have the rod tip low to the water, it still makes contact with the surface at times. My reach negates my height. Proper rod length is what feels comfortable IMO! 

@fluna , if you want more distance, a longer rod will absolutely help. The only obstacle is determining what rod length is most comfortable for you for the techniques you'll be using the rod to employ. Being 5'4" is not going to put you at any disadvantage when it comes to using longer rods.

[Catt]

Simple physics... fulcrum & lever ?

[r83srock]

1 hour ago, GaterB said:

I'm 6'7" and feel that preferred rod length is unique to each angler. I've heard many say that taller anglers prefer taller rods, and visa versa. I completely disagree. Here's my take: If the theory that a taller angler would prefer longer rods were true, then I should be comfortable making low or skip casts with a 7' or longer rod, and working topwaters and jerkbaits with rods of these lengths shouldn't be a problem. Well, I still prefer rods well under 7' for these applications. My arms are proportional to my body, so when I have the rod tip low to the water, it still makes contact with the surface at times. My reach negates my height. Proper rod length is what feels comfortable IMO! 

@fluna , if you want more distance, a longer rod will absolutely help. The only obstacle is determining what rod length is most comfortable for you for the techniques you'll be using the rod to employ. Being 5'4" is not going to put you at any disadvantage when it comes to using longer rods.

This. Use what is comfortable. For me, usually it's between 6.5 and 7'. I just can't get as comfortable with rods much over 7'. I roll cast and pitch shallow cover a lot, shortish is just what I like. A long rod gives more speed on the hook set, but a short rod gives more power. Nothing is perfect, what you want will be a result of a trade off. 

[Raul]

1 hour ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Nonsense to put it bluntly. 

 

2 hours ago, fluna said:

I am 5'4" and brought up short people should use short rods. I am looking for new rod for my Curado I. I fish a lot of top water poppers and buzzbaits. I currently use 6' spinning rods but dont get much distance.

You don't get much distance ..... define how much is much ...

 

[Further North]

Sorry...couldn't resist...

 

 

 

[islandbass]

As someone who is about as tall as you, I feel obligated to dispel that false notion from your mind as soon as possible because you are severely limiting your possibilities and your self. 

 

Your height is irrelevant to how long a rod you can use. 

 

Generally speaking, longer rods will cast farther with less effort and offer the angler more line control. 

 

This is why steelhead and salmon rods used in rivers are at least 8'6" - 11' + and surf casters use 10'+ rods.

 

They benefit from the ability to make farther casts when necessary and to control their line. If I followed the belief in only using  shorter rods because I am short, I'd have a miserable time not fishing with rod the appropriate length for the task at hand. 

 

You too would benefit from from stepping up to longer bass rods. 

 

This isnt to say shorter rods suck. They still have their place, like perhaps fishing in tight quarters. 

 

If you're daring, try 7' rods with the same action and power as your 6' rods. ?