Rod length

[JeffD]

I know there has been a lot of talk about what is everyone's favorite rod. Action, length. My question is, the popular thought now seems to be 7' rod pretty much for an all around rod no matter what the action. Maybe I'm reading it wrong, and if so I'm sure you'll let me know. But if I'm not, just what advantage does the 7' give you over the 6 1/2?

[MickD]

Casting distance, for one.  For tip up techniques, go longer.  For tip down, go shorter.

[jimmyjoe]

   Nowadays, there are two things that are different than they were 20 years ago. First, rods are made with thinner walls. To distribute the design stress over a blank that is six inches longer is easier, and a manufacturer can make that blank's action more consistent. Secondly, it seems to me that there is a huge increase in casting rods used for bottom contact compared to 20 years ago. That means sensitivity is of greater importance, which drives the market to thinner walls and lighter blanks, which creates greater stress, which brings us back to my first point.

   Now if that ain't a great example of circular thinking, I don't know what is!  ??    jj

[islandbass]

I’ll second casting distance but I’ll clarify a little more. If the rods were identical in every way except in length, say 6.5’ and 7’, then for every cast of the same effort, the longer rod will cast just a little bit farther. 
 

Another advantage is more line control, but would be easier seen say between the typical 7’ bass rod and say a 10’ salmon/steelhead rod. The control is more observable. 
 

The line control comes in handy when you are targeting prey from a distance including setting the hook. 
 

This however, it doesn’t mean shorter rods are obsolete and not by a long shot. Ever try fishing a long rod in close quarters? It’s far easier with a shorter rod, giving the feeling that your rod is more of a light saber than a halberd, lol. 
 

Personally, I’ve  noticed that shorter rods seem very suitable for jerk baits, top waters and such for me. I still work those lures with my 7’ rods but it just feels better with the shorter rods. 
 

Also sometimes too much line control might not be conducive to the technique being employed. For example, when I did my research on the Ned rig, it said shorter rods were preferred.  I wondered why but made a mental note. I was lucky enough to catch a bass on my first cast with the Ned rig, definitely pure luck. After I released the bass, I decided to study and observe what happened to my lure as I imparted life to the lure. I was using a 7’ rod because that is what I had with me. I was quite surprised. The slightest movement of my rod made the lure move what I thought was too far.  For the next few minutes I tried to compensate for moving the lure too much, or what I thought was too much, and it was difficult. A shorter rod would have made this easier. 
 

An adage from my wood working teacher in 6th grade has stuck with me and I ain’t a spring chicken.  “Use the right tool for the job.” 

 

We all know this and that is why many of have more than one rod. How else would we feed the monkey? ???

[Big_Easy_Bassin]

10 minutes ago, islandbass said:

 

Also sometimes too much line control might not be conducive to the technique being employed. For example, when I did my research on the Ned rig, it said shorter rods were preferred.  I wondered why but made a mental note. I was lucky enough to catch a bass on my first cast with the Ned rig, definitely pure luck. After I released the bass, I decided to study and observe what happened to my lure as I imparted life to the lure. I was using a 7’ rod because that is what I had with me. I was quite surprised. The slightest movement of my rod made the lure move what I thought was too far.  For the next few minutes I tried to compensate for moving the lure too much, or what I thought was too much, and it was difficult. A shorter rod would have made this easier. 
 

 

^^ This is a great point that I feel often gets overlooked. I honestly don’t own very many rods under 7’ in length. It’s just a preference. I’m quite accurate with a 7’ rod and I’m still able to get the casting distance that I want from it. I will go up to a 7’3” or 7’6” for some applications, but most of my rods are 7’. However, I do have two spinning rods and one casting rod that are shorter. I use these rods mostly when fishing in close quarters or when I’m trying to get up under overhanging trees, but I also use them for ned rigs and when I throw a weightless Senko. The shorter rods helps to make me fish a little slower because if I lift or drag the bait or move the rod to impart action, it will move the lure less than a longer rod would. 

[Boomstick]

Rod length is strongly a personal preference thing. If you fish from a kayak, you may prefer shorter rods, especially for skipping or walking baits and flipping from a seated position. Same largely applies to shore unless you're on a raised peer or a steep bank, and low hanging tree branches are also easier to avoid on a shorter rod. Longer rods do cast further, but in my opinion it's the most significant when flipping and pitching, of course a long rod can be beneficial in other scenarios, like deep diving crankbaits which will allow you to get your crankbait down into the zone for longer than a short rod.

 

I find anything from 6'10" to 7'2" is generally all around a fairly practical all around length for casting in most scenarios, kind of an all purpose length if you will. I use a 6'8" rod for jerkbaits, spooks and poppers because they're easier to manage on a shorter rod.

 

Also it's important to note that a slight movement in a longer rod will move your bait more so in some presentations, a shorter rod can be beneficial outside of casting. I use a 6'9" for finesse for this very reason.

[WRB]

I stared using 6’10” rods in the 80’s because my Skeeter bass boat deck accommodated 6’10” rods. The fact my average cast is somewhere between 40-50:yards why does anyone thing a longer rod cast further?

Tom

[GReb]

I fish 6’8” - 6’10” rods for most applications. It’s the best compromise of accuracy, distance, and stamina for me. However in leverage situations I fish 7’2” - 7’3” such as flipping, frogs, and general heavy cover. I sold everything outside of these ranges. It’s just what I found works for me

[Michigander]

I find that rods in the 7'2"-7"5" range are the most comfortable for me to fish while standing on a boat. I don't notice much if any accuracy difference between shorter rods. Nor do I notice a casting distance difference.

 

I think the angler's height and rod preference will determine which length is best for that angler.

[LCG]

6'8"-7' in both spinning and casting seems to be the sweet spot for me. Balances distance, accuracy, control, and overall feel. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

4 hours ago, WRB said:

I stared using 6’10” rods in the 80’s because my Skeeter bass boat deck accommodated 6’10” rods. The fact my average cast is somewhere between 40-50:yards why does anyone thing a longer rod cast further?

Tom

The short answer is leverage

[WRB]

The longer the rod is the more “leverage” the fish has!

Tom

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I suppose your right about that in a sense, given the rod is stiff.  

Which rod would provide more leverage from the point of the fish? A 7ft MH F or a 9ft 4wt.

 

Length is relative, to many people assume that a longer rod will cast farther.  When comparing a 6'10 to a 7' of the same rod, the gain in casting distance will be minimal.  Sometimes the slightly longer rod may have a longer rear grip section by 1 or 2" then the 6'10, which means the amount of blank aft the reel seat is nearly the same on both rods.

[MickD]

If longer rods don't cast farther then why are surf rods so long?  I really don't think there is any doubt about it.  My 8 1/2 foot salmon casting rod casts a mile while my 6' 8" pike rod only casts 3/4 mile.  :-)

 

Surely in many cases we don't need longer casts than a shorter rod will give, but when you want max distance you will get it with length.  

[Junk Fisherman]

I hardly use anything under 7' anymore and haven't bought any 7'ers in several years.  The longer rods cast farther and give you move leverage when fighting fish.  This is particularly important with spinning rods.  I prefer to use a lighter spinning rod with a longer length.  The longer rod gives more control when fighting a bigger fish and the lighter action improves sensitivity with lighter lures.  For example a 7' light Dobyns was too light for my 1/16th oz Ned rigs but the lighter action is perfect with a 7'4" light Dobyns.  I use a 7'9" medium light action Dobyns rods for 3"-4" thin swimbaits.  The longer length helps with long casts yet I have no problems with 5 lb smallmouth.  I have successfully handled big carp and trout with the rod.  That extra length really helps.  

[r83srock]

12 hours ago, Michigander said:

I find that rods in the 7'2"-7"5" range are the most comfortable for me to fish while standing on a boat. I don't notice much if any accuracy difference between shorter rods. Nor do I notice a casting distance difference.

 

I think the angler's height and rod preference will determine which length is best for that angler.

I know many won’t agree but I also think height plays into this. 
 

I use rods from 6’-7’4”. Some lengths just have the right action and power do I compromise. I prefer 7’ for most things, + or - 2 inches.

[Boomstick]

12 hours ago, WRB said:

I stared using 6’10” rods in the 80’s because my Skeeter bass boat deck accommodated 6’10” rods. The fact my average cast is somewhere between 40-50:yards why does anyone thing a longer rod cast further?

Tom

My take on this is that if the rods bend is relatively scaled with the rod length it will add casting distance, but you have to add close to a foot to the total length to the rod to really be able to get a really noticeable result and be just as comfortable casting the longer rod - and sometimes I'm not thus I wouldn't throw it as far as I could.

 

The one scenario I notice it in terms of distance is flipping or pitching. It may not even increase my total distance all that much but on a longer rod I find it easier to get it to a longer distance thus helping with accuracy.

[CountryboyinDC]

12 hours ago, WRB said:

why does anyone thing a longer rod cast further?

Not to be smart, but physics/mathematics.  All other things being equal, when you loose the bait from a longer lever, it will be starting at a higher rate of speed, and therefore will travel farther before gravitational force returns the bait to the surface.  I know not all other things will always be equal, but as @MickDpointed out, anglers that need to cast very far in order to be successful relative to bass anglers use longer rods.  We may never notice this in our own experience, because the lever increase is pretty small (we don't use 12' surf rods) and our technique change may offset any potential increase rod length offers when we move to the longer rod.

 

9 hours ago, WRB said:

The longer the rod is the more “leverage” the fish has!

This is very true!  

[12poundbass]

All I know is I got an 8’ flipping stick last year and that thing is gigantic! I’m not sure if I can get used to it. 
 

Most of my rods are between 6’-8” and 7’-2”. I have one or two that are 6’-6” but those feel kinda small. 

[Captain Phil]

14 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

All I know is I got an 8’ flipping stick last year and that thing is gigantic! I’m not sure if I can get used to it. 
 

Most of my rods are between 6’-8” and 7’-2”. I have one or two that are 6’-6” but those feel kinda small. 

When flipping first became popular, we used 8 1/2 foot rods as this was the longest rod allowed in a tournament.   If it was good enough for Dee Thomas, it was good enough for me.  In time, we learned that heavy rods are tough on your hands, arms, elbows and back.  I have been flipping with a collapsible 7 1/2 foot rod for about 20 years.  When flipping, you rarely have over 6 feet of line off the end of your rod.  You can pitch with a six foot rod if you like. Leverage is not that important when flipping and pitching.  I can remember many times when a small bass went flying by my head on the hook set.  ?

[12poundbass]

10 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

When flipping first became popular, we used 8 1/2 foot rods as this was the longest rod allowed in a tournament.   If it was good enough for Dee Thomas, it was good enough for me.  In time, we learned that heavy rods are tough on your hands, arms, elbows and back.  I have been flipping with a collapsible 7 1/2 foot rod for about 20 years.  When flipping, you rarely have over 6 feet of line off the end of your rod.  You can pitch with a six foot rod if you like. Leverage is not that important when flipping and pitching.  I can remember many times when a small bass went flying by my head on the hook set.  ?

I have another rod that I also use for pitching that I believe is 7’ and that feels a ton better for me. I’ll give the 8’ rod another shot next year but I’m thinking it’s not going to make the cut. 

[Paul Roberts]

Great thread!

[JeffD]

I'm loving all the responses. This is precisely what I was hoping. Lots of different theories and personal experiences. Keep em coming! I haven't seriously fished in 30 years. I had and still have, three (exactly the same) 5 1/2' rods that I would rig with different lures. Boy, how things have changed!

[Team9nine]

Personally, 6’8” - 6’11” is my favorite balance of all traits (length, weight, balance, casting accuracy, distance, line movement, etc.) - my happy medium, but I have longer and shorter rods to optimize for specific presentations.

 

...and as @WRB pointed out,  “leverage” is the wrong term to be using with longer rods. They have less leverage.

[Bankbeater]

For moving baits I like a 7' rod for the extra distance.  All of the rods I use for bottom contact baits are 6-1/2' long.