Bank fishing - 7' or 7'6 rod length?

[West Coast Angler]

I'm fairly new to fishing.

I have no boat access and strictly fish off banks and shores.

One day I may be at a pond with lots of trees and brushes, another day I'll be at the lake with sandy beach shores.

 

My tackle mostly consists of 1/2 - 3/4 oz. lures (jigs, punch rigs, plastics, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jerkbaits).

Right now I am fishing jigs, punch rigs and chatterbaits. I have come to identify these as my confidence baits and will primarily fish these lures, but will transition to the others eventually.

 

A close buddy of mine is moving out of state early next year. He is the man responsible for getting me into fishing, and has given me a parting gift: one of his G.Loomis Conquest rods. He has both the 844C and 904C of this model. I am free to pick whichever one I want.

 

So for you experienced anglers out there: which length rod would best cover most (if not all) of the lures I use (and plan to use)? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MN Fisher]

Both rods have the same ratings for lures. Given that you have some trees and such to deal with I'd suggest going with the shorter rod - the 844.

 

Though I'd be careful with those 3/4 oz jigs/punch rigs as once you add in the weight of the hook, skirt and trailer - you'll probably be over the 1oz upper rating of the rod...so cast carefully and don't try to bomb it out there.

[jimmyjoe]

  

18 minutes ago, West Coast Angler said:

a pond with lots of trees and brushes

 

   All it takes is one hit on a branch to ruin a rod. I'd take the 7', and actually I'd take a 6'-06" in trees and brush if I could.  But ........ it's your decision.

   Naturally, I'd take the longer rod in the wide open.        jj

[WRB]

The 844C is the versatile rod for nearly everything, the longer rod is limited. You may want a swimbait rod in the future that can fill the longer needs.

Tom

[Michigander]

My favorite bank rod was a 5'6" to get around trees and bushes, may it rest in pieces. Personally, I don't think I would go longer than 6'6" for a dedicated bank rod.

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, Michigander said:

My favorite bank rod was a 5'6" to get around trees and bushes, may it rest in pieces. I don't think I would go longer than 6'6" for a dedicated bank rod.

Ya - my three bank rods are all 6'6".

[Hammer 4]

Between the 2 rods, the 7 footer is a no brainer. You can always  grab a shorter rod down the road if need be.

[West Coast Angler]

It seems to me a decision has been made. I see many rods in my foreseeable future.

Thanks guys!

[jimmyjoe]

2 minutes ago, West Coast Angler said:

I see many rods in my foreseeable future.

 

Join ......

the ......

club! 

???    jj

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, West Coast Angler said:

 I see many rods in my foreseeable future.

It's the way it goes - four years ago I had 3 rigs that were decades old. Now I have 10 rigs for the canoe and 3 more for bank fishing - all purchased in the last four years.

[Teal]

My little 6'3 tatula is my new favorite bank rod.

[new2BC4bass]

45 minutes ago, Teal said:

My little 6'3 tatula is my new favorite bank rod.

I try to avoid places needing such a rod, but now that you mention it I do have a 6'3" Elite Tech Smallmouth.

[Michigander]

1 hour ago, West Coast Angler said:

It seems to me a decision has been made. I see many rods in my foreseeable future.

Thanks guys!

Join us.... It's bliss....

[MN Fisher]

4 minutes ago, Michigander said:

Join us.... It's bliss....

Just ignore the agonizing screams from your bank account.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Take the 7, far more versatile. 

You could take the 7'6 but the odds are higher that it wont stay 7'6 for very long if your bank fishing.

If you have ever split wood with an axe, its a good idea to use the same method for a safe swinging space with a rod.

[West Coast Angler]

1 hour ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

Join ......

the ......

club! 

???    jj

 

2 minutes ago, Michigander said:

Join us.... It's bliss....

 

I am late, but I have arrived. 

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, West Coast Angler said:

I am late, but I have arrived. 

And the Bait Monkey has a new vict...errr...supplicant.

[FishTank]

I would go with the 844C.  I have the GLX and the IMX.  The Conquest is on my hit list for next year.  

 

The only problem with getting a rod like that is that you will want more. 

[jimmyjoe]

   In all seriousness, a good rod for close quarters is not easy to find. If you have a retailer near you who stocks St. Croix, look at the Premier 6' MH/F casting rod. Many people look askance at a six foot rod, but that particular one is the gnat's patootie in brush and under trees.

   Just a thought.       jj

[TimTheGearNerd]

Dude your friend is awesome. That’s a serious gift. 
 

I think the 7ft is a clear choice between the two. The only other consideration is what rods do you currently own? 

the pro 

Longer rods get longer casts in wide open areas. If you’re on a kayak you get better hooksets but if you’re on bank you don’t need the length for hooksets. High end rods are generally lighter so the longer the rod, the more it benefits from the weight savings. You’ll likely use a 7’ rod most often in general so if you already have a really nice 7’ rod you like then go with the 7’6. 

the con

longer rods are a pain to store and move around. You’ll likely hit something on the cast and can’t effectively fish in close quarters. 

 

I assume there aren’t many 7’ better than a conquest. You have to post when you get it! Let us know what you decide and how you like it!!

[Bankbeater]

When I fish from the bank I usually use 6'6" rods.  Anything longer and I have to watch out walking through brush, and when I cast so I don't damage the rod.

[ATA]

On 12/11/2020 at 3:51 PM, West Coast Angler said:

He has both the 844C and 904C of this model. I am free to pick whichever one I want.

Pick the 844 for sure, it is my all the time rod that I use 85% of the times.

 

[Teal]

22 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

I try to avoid places needing such a rod, but now that you mention it I do have a 6'3" Elite Tech Smallmouth.

I got the rod with intentions of finding the perfect skipping rod, however it just does alot of things well.  I like it bank fishing because I ha e more control when i am standing under trees and brush that requires me to cast from a weird angle.

[Boomstick]

You answered your own question imo when you said you fish at one lake with trees around the shore (the 844 will be easier to cast)