rod size for bank fishing

[waldo567]

I fish from the bank exclusively and use 2 rods. One is a 6 foot spinning rod and one is a 7 foot baitcaster. The 7 footer I find is too long for me to do a lot of pitching and flipping with. I just can't seem to get it down because it feels too long. I can do a lot with the 6 foot spinning rod. Should I downsize my baitcaster to a 6 foot rod?

[new2BC4bass]

TBH I don't know where you can find a 6' casting rod.  Plenty of 6'6" rods.  The trend as been to longer rods.  I have an older 6' MH Lightning that I inherited.  Bought it for my oldest grandson, but he has no desire to try a baitcast reel so it is now my dedicated short range spinnerbait rod.

 

Berkley still makes a few 6' casting rods, but finding one elsewhere is going to be tough.

[The Bassman]

Bass Pro on the budget end. St. Croix for some better stuff.

[Log Catcher]

BPS and Cabelas both have 6' rods in their house brand rods. I;m not sure about Academy as I have not checked out there rod selections.

[NYWayfarer]

You answered your own question. The baitcasting rod feels too long for you so downsize.

 

in my experience bank fishing I base my rod size on the areas I will be fishing. No overhanging brush or trees = 7’+ If I am in an are with a lot of cover I try and stay closer to 6’ 

[LCG]

I have wrestled with rod length for quite awhile and realized that it's best to use what works best for you, not someone else. 

 

Personally I find my sweet spot to be 6'8"-6'10". It feels best to me and is versatile enough to be effective for longer casts and more accurate shorter cast (primary focus). 

[Revival]

I bank fish ponds with tons of trees around.  I make it work with a 7’ rod but when I use 6’6”, it makes things much easier.

 

So if the 6’6” is going to allow you to get in specific areas, go for it.

[Hammer 4]

I fish mostly park ponds here in so cali, none of my rods are under 7'. Flippin stick is 7'6" I find longer rods are easier to fish vs shorter rods, which I've used years ago. Whatever you feel comfy with, use it.

[ClintIsKING]

I fish from the bank as well and have a 6ft spinning rod and a 7'3 casting rod. I would say use whats comfortable for you and what fits where you fish (overhead trees, etc).

[islandbass]

Go with what you know is comfortable.

 

When you’re pitching though, there really is going to be anything in nature that’s going to get in the way of a pitching cast.

 

I am curious and would like to ask what in the mechanics is feeling uncomfortable. Height shouldn’t be an issue since I’m 5’5” and pitch both 7’ spinning and casting rods. If it is a feel thing, I understand. A 7’ rod definitely doesn’t feel like a 6’ or 6’6” light saber of a rod. 

 

I am also a shorebound angler. 

[fishwizzard]

St Croix has a good number of shorter rods and I think Loomis still makes their CR line, which are 6’ casting rods in a few different powers.  

[Mobasser]

I bank fish 2 to 3 times a week after work. At one lake the banks are mowed well, and very few trees. I can use any rod there. Another lake I need knee high boots to walk the bank- it's way overgrown. For that one, I use an older 6ft casting rod.

[Gorris317]

I have a 7'3" rod that I flip and pitch with from shore. I learned to go at more of an angle, like have the rod between my knee and waist. Doing this gives me no issues. 

 

On a side note, you might be able to just cut the but end of the rod off instead of purchasing a new rod. Might be able to post in the rod making section and ask. From what I remember you can take of 6" without it affecting the action of the rod. 

[Bankbeater]

No matter what size rod I use fishing from the bank, I still end up hitting that bush that I didn’t know was behind me.

[waldo567]

17 hours ago, islandbass said:

Go with what you know is comfortable.

 

When you’re pitching though, there really is going to be anything in nature that’s going to get in the way of a pitching cast.

 

I am curious and would like to ask what in the mechanics is feeling uncomfortable. Height shouldn’t be an issue since I’m 5’5” and pitch both 7’ spinning and casting rods. If it is a feel thing, I understand. A 7’ rod definitely doesn’t feel like a 6’ or 6’6” light saber of a rod. 

 

I am also a shorebound angler. 

I think it just feel thing. My shorter rods just feels more comfortable and easier to use. Could also be a I need more practice with the 7 foot rod

 

34 minutes ago, Bankbeater said:

No matter what size rod I use fishing from the bank, I still end up hitting that bush that I didn’t know was behind me.

Now that is true. I would get snagged even with an ice fishing rod

[fishwizzard]

1 hour ago, Bankbeater said:

No matter what size rod I use fishing from the bank, I still end up hitting that bush that I didn’t know was behind me.

When I started buying nicer  rods I got the habit of doing a little half-speed false cast before I made my actual cast. As much as I try to always be aware of my surroundings and look behind me every time I move spots, that half-speed cast has saved a few tips for sure.  It’s second nature now and don’t even notice that I’m doing it until the rod tip contacts something that I didn’t realize was behind me.  

[Smalls]

How long of a pitch are you making on average? Longer rods are usually easier to get more distance out of, for both casting and pitching. If you’re having to bring the rod tip down to your feet for short pitches, you’ll probably have better luck buying a smoother reel than a shorter rod. 

 

Now for really short pitches, I find my flippin stick too long, and constantly over shoot my target.