Your Height vs. Rod Length... does it matter?

[Riversidebassin]

So I’ve been noticing that a lot of people choose the length of their rods based on their height. For example, someone may say “I’m only 5’6”, so I never buy any rods over 7 feet.” Does it really matter though or is it just preference?

 

I’m only 5’4” (pretty average for a woman), and have never really considered that a 7’2” casting rod is “too long” for me. Of course, I did grow up mostly saltwater fishing/surf casting with rods up to 11 feet, so a bass rod a little over 7 feet feels perfectly fine with me, especially if the type of fishing I’m doing requires a longer rod, etc.

 

What’s your opinion on height vs. rod length?

[redux]

I'm 5' 9" so I am exceedingly average. I have rods from 6' 6" to 8'. I use them all for different situations. But I prefer the 7' 2". That translates to a 1.25 ratio.

 

Using that ratio you would sit around the 6' 6" mark. However, dogma has no place in fishing so use what works for you.

[roadwarrior]

Your height has nothing to do with the rod length you choose.

 

[CroakHunter]

I second this. To a t actually. Skipping and roll casting I like a 7' ish. Casting or pitching I like 7'3 to 7'6. Heavy pitching and punching I like a 7'9 to 8'. Spinning rods I prefer a 6'9.

[Scott F]

Your height doesn’t have any bearing on the length of the rod you choose.  

[Darren.]

1 hour ago, Riversidebassin said:

So I’ve been noticing that a lot of people choose the length of their rods based on their height. For example, someone may say “I’m only 5’6”, so I never buy any rods over 7 feet.” Does it really matter though or is it just preference?

 

I’m only 5’4” (pretty average for women), and have never really considered that a 7’2” casting rod is “too long” for me. Of course, I did grow up mostly saltwater fishing/surf casting with rods up to 11 feet, so a bass rod a little over 7 feet feels perfectly fine with me, especially if the type of fishing I’m doing requires a longer rod, etc.

 

What’s your opinion on height vs. rod length?

Use what you feel comfortable with.

 

I'm 5'7" give or take and I prefer short rods with 5'9"-6'

the sweet spot for me. Just my preference. One of my 

sons has a 7' rod and it's fine, just not my cup of tea.

[Catt]

29 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

Your height has nothing to do with the rod length you choose.

 

 

That's a 7' rod!  ?

 

 

[PourMyOwn]

Maybe that's old thinking. 7 foot rods, cheap or expensive are a heck of a lot lighter than they once were. I know that I use longer rods than I did 20 years ago. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mobasser]

I'm 6ft, and have 6ft, 6'6, 5'6 and 7'6 flipping stick. I use them all, and don't feel my height has any bearing on my fishing

[islandbass]

1 hour ago, Riversidebassin said:

So I’ve been noticing that a lot of people choose the length of their rods based on their height. For example, someone may say “I’m only 5’6”, so I never buy any rods over 7 feet.” Does it really matter though or is it just preference?

 

I’m only 5’4” (pretty average for women), and have never really considered that a 7’2” casting rod is “too long” for me. Of course, I did grow up mostly saltwater fishing/surf casting with rods up to 11 feet, so a bass rod a little over 7 feet feels perfectly fine with me, especially if the type of fishing I’m doing requires a longer rod, etc.

 

What’s your opinion on height vs. rod length?

There isn’t one. Anyone who tells you otherwise is stating an opinion and not a fact. Let the species and conditions dictate the length of your rods, not your height. 

 

I am about your height and use rods 8’6” and 9’6” and have no issues using them so I know you won’t either. 

[dodgeguy]

Gotta disagree guys. If you fish from a boat that's not flat like a Bass boat and you're short , pitching can be harder with a longer rod.Any other technique I don't think it would matter.

[bayvalle]

I'm only 5'6" and longer rods are fine depending where you are fishing. On a bass boat or open banks a long rod is great to increase casting distance. On my kayak long rods are a double edged sword, although they increase distance they are harder to manage under trees and when changing line so I prefer shorter rods. On my center console boat with rods stored overhead and multiple fisherman onboard I don't go over 6'6" and prefer 6' rods. On a river bank with trees I prefer short rods.

Where my height comes into play relative to rod length varies by technique. For example I find it difficult to "walk the dog" with a rod over 6'6"  and my casting to structure is more accurate if the rod isn't too lengthy. 

[dodgeguy]

Definately agree the type of boat and technique will make a difference if you're shorter than most ..Bottom line is wear shoes that fit and fish with what fits you. Don't fight your equipment.

[waymont]

Use what feels comfortable for you. I feel the most comfortable with rods in the 6'8"-7' range so I stay around there.

I fish with my wife frequently from a small boat (10' long)  so I don't want longer rods getting in her way while we are fishing. I do have a 7'3" Fury 735 for glide baits, I know if all my rods were that longs it would be a drag.

It a great thing there are so many options for use to all chose what we enjoy the most.

[zell_pop1]

I'm 5'5" and with jerkbait/spook type lures a short rod helps I use a Team Daiwa 6'3". I slap water with anything 6'6" and up. Otherwise no need to use shorter rods than a taller person.

[Yumeya]

I'm 6'4" my shortest rods are my ice fishing rods haha.

 

I actually prefer a longer rod, my shortest rod is 7' up to 7'6" with only one rod being 8' and that is a swimbait rod.

[BIGfryFish]

Just choose whatever you feel comfortable with at your planned fishing location.

 

When I was younger I used 6'6" rods.  They were just right for me at the time.   

I'm 6'2" tall  and prefer rods between 7'6" - 8'6" now.   My everyday rods are 7'6" which I use for spinning & casting reels. 

[Fishes in trees]

I fish out of a Lowe WF 180 - I'm 5'7" and I find that longer rods make some kinds of fishing more or a pain that it needs to be.   Fishing top waters and jerk baits would be a couple of examples.  I've tried fishing some of my 7' pitching rods sitting down in a high sided boat and it was awkward.  Standing up in a V hulled row boat with a 7' rod was awkward.  So I'm in the camp of in certain circumstances and in certain boats rod length does matter - quite a bit - to me.

[OkobojiEagle]

I'm sorry to laugh while reading of all these men bragging about their long fishing rods... my wife has frequently reminded me that the majority of men don't know how long 8" really is...

 

oe

[Riversidebassin]

Thanks for all your opinions!! I kind of figured that it was all up to preference or situation, but just wanted to double check.  It didn’t cross my mind too much before until a Bass Pro retailer showed concern that a 7’ rod would be too long for me lol. 

[Deleted account]

It ultimately comes down to preference, but there certainly are times when over all length, handle length, as well as grip diameter and shape come into play, and may be more or less important. For me, I prefer the shortest rod that will get the job done most of the time, but when working lures tip down, particularly poppers, walking baits and the like I really lean on shorter rods. It will also vary if I'm doing so from a bass boat, a jon boat, from shore or wading, where I'll go progressively shorter. I do think that height makes a difference, but it only comes to play in the extremes, and most folks fall somewhere in the middle so it's not apparent. If you are 7 feet, or 5 foot 2, you'd probably gravitate towards a different rod (assuming you don't spend too much time on the InterWeb®) for the same presentation, conversely, someone who is six feet tall, and someone who is 5 foot 8 are not going to manifest a difference most of the time.

[Hulkster]

On 8/11/2019 at 6:54 AM, BIGfryFish said:

Just choose whatever you feel comfortable with at your planned fishing location.

 

When I was younger I used 6'6" rods.  They were just right for me at the time.   

I'm 6'2" tall  and prefer rods between 7'6" - 8'6" now.   My everyday rods are 7'6" which I use for spinning & casting reels. 

I'm the same. when i started hardcore fishing in the early to late 90s, the 6'6 rod was the thing. 

 

now longer rods are more popular and I find I like the 7'5 and 7'6 rods the best 

[new2BC4bass]

18 hours ago, Riversidebassin said:

Thanks for all your opinions!! I kind of figured that it was all up to preference or situation, but just wanted to double check.  It didn’t cross my mind too much before until a Bass Pro retailer showed concern that a 7’ rod would be too long for me lol. 

You've already proved an 11' rod isn't too long for you.  As others have stated: the technique, area being fished (surrounded by trees or in open water?) and where you are fishing from (shore, bass boat, kayak, canoe, yacht, pontoon, destroyer, etc.) play a more important roll in rod length selection.

 

You asked for an opinion.  Mine is that height has nothing to do with rod length.

[Choporoz]

So....perhaps a better question than "does rod length matter?"....would have been:

 

"What are the odds that a clerk at BPS knew what he was talking about?"

[bowhunter63]

I don’t know I’m short I use 7 ft 6 carbon light spinning rod for wading in the river for Smallies. It casts light lures better and handles fish in the current really good. It’s my go to for sure.