What do you think is the ideal rod length for creek/river smallmouth fishing?

[Ohioguy25]

I bounce between various size creeks (50-75 feet across) and a couple of normal sized rivers (100+ yards across.) 

As I have only recently branched out to larger bodies of water, up to this point I have only used a 6 ft St. Croix Premier spinning rod because the smaller creeks/streams have a lot of low hanging vegetation and branches.  I am also looking to get into lure fishing as well, up to this point I have almost exclusively used live bait.  
 

Would it benefit me to go a bit longer, and how much and for what sized water? Lastly, what length for lure fishing vs live? Thanks! 

[Smells like fish]

I’m a long time smallmouth creek angler. I think the perfect setup is a 5 foot or 5’6” ultralight rod, a small spinning reel such as a Mitchell 308 and 6 lb p line. 
My disclaimer to the above is that my average fish 14-15” or less, anything over 16” is a trophy and my biggest creek bass trophy list I can count on one hand is 4 fish 18 to 21inches. 
I think if you’ll begin your journey into lures you’ll prefer it to live bait. 
You are ready! 

[Ohioguy25]

8 hours ago, Smells like fish said:

I’m a long time smallmouth creek angler. I think the perfect setup is a 5 foot or 5’6” ultralight rod, a small spinning reel such as a Mitchell 308 and 6 lb p line. 
My disclaimer to the above is that my average fish 14-15” or less, anything over 16” is a trophy and my biggest creek bass trophy list I can count on one hand is 4 fish 18 to 21inches. 
I think if you’ll begin your journey into lures you’ll prefer it to live bait. 
You are ready! 

See I was thinking of going bigger to get further casting distance on bigger water. I’ve found 6 ft to be the perfect size for creek fishing.

[Deephaven]

When I fish rivers in my canoe I typically bring my 7'6" M BC.  I no longer own any rods under 6'8" as I don't see a purpose for them.  Longer rods were tougher when all I knew how to do was overhead cast.

[Ohioguy25]

2 minutes ago, Deephaven said:

When I fish rivers in my canoe I typically bring my 7'6" M BC.  I no longer own any rods under 6'8" as I don't see a purpose for them.  Longer rods were tougher when all I knew how to do was overhead cast.

Are baitcasters tough in creeks?

[Deephaven]

Much easier than spinning unless you are throwing super light things.

[Drew03cmc]

St. Croix Legend X 6'8" MF and an 07 Metanium MG with 20# Smackdown to either a 10lb CX or Invizx leader.

[Ohioguy25]

24 minutes ago, Drew03cmc said:

St. Croix Legend X 6'8" MF and an 07 Metanium MG with 20# Smackdown to either a 10lb CX or Invizx leader.

And you fish creeks with that?

[Drew03cmc]

36 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

And you fish creeks with that?

Absolutely. Small water does not mean small fish or small lures. Fish your strength. I often throw a 4" walking bait or "1/4oz" buzzbait, which is actually 1/2 or so after skirt, blade and trailer. Why would I not use braid that has the same diameter of 6lb mono? 

[Scott F]

If you are wading, you need to be stealthy at the same time which often means making longer casts. Lots of times, you just can’t get very close to your targets which might be on the other side of the river. On tiny creeks it’s not an issue, but on bigger streams having extra casting distance can mean the difference in getting bit or not. I like longer rods to give me that extra distance. 7’ rods are as long as will easily fit in my vehicle so that’s what I use.

[Bdnoble84]

My goto smallie rods are 6’6 fenwicks m/f.1 iscasting gt with lews lfs baitcaster, other is spinning hmx with a size 3000 spinning reel. I fish some really tight bank areas and i really dont feel hindered. Only thing this setup maybe lacks is being able to make low closequarter casts around branches along the bank. Im not afraid to bring my 7ft med heavy baitcasters in these pllaces.

[TnRiver46]

6’6” rod is good for anything 

[PigFarmer]

6’ or 6’ 6” M or ML for the creeks and river I fish. Ned rig, slider heads/worms, small cranks. 

[Bubba 460]

Small creeks, 6 to 6'6" ML and if your hitting rivers 100 yards wide, a 7 footer med fast wouldn't hurt. You hook into a 3 or 4 pound smallmouth in a river you're gonna wish you'd of brought a bigger rod. I've caught four and five pound smallmouth in a 20' wide creek, lots of them in fact in my wading days.

[Ohioguy25]

On 5/19/2021 at 12:17 PM, TnRiver46 said:

6’6” rod is good for anything 

Is there any disadvantage to a 7’ rod over a 6’6” in a kayak or otherwise?

[TnRiver46]

11 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Is there any disadvantage to a 7’ rod over a 6’6” in a kayak or otherwise?

Sometimes a shorter rod is more manageable and a shorter boat in respect to tree limbs and all that jazz but I’m sure you could get used to anything

[greentrout]

I only have access to LMB and Spotted Bass when I fish small creeks by foot ... I only use 5'6" and 6' rods spinning and casting ... lots of trees ... will sometimes use longer rods and UL in open areas ...

 

good fishing ...

[Ohioguy25]

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

Sometimes a shorter rod is more manageable and a shorter boat in respect to tree limbs and all that jazz but I’m sure you could get used to anything

So you think 6’6” M is prob going to be best for my needs?

[TnRiver46]

3 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

So you think 6’6” M is prob going to be best for my needs?

That’s up to you, some old timers fish tiny streams with 10’ rods for trout. 

[Ohioguy25]

2 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

That’s up to you, some old timers fish tiny streams with 10’ rods for trout. 

What’s your personal preference?

[TnRiver46]

Just now, Ohioguy25 said:

What’s your personal preference?

I’ve never thought about it much, I’ve got several rods between 6’ and 7’. Longer rod definitely helps cast further. If you go to the beach take the longest ones you’ve got! 

[Mbirdsley]

I use to catch a lot of smallies on 6ft6 spinning rods with Xl mono.  This was before I knew anything about rods.   Now I would prefer a 7ft spinning set up though with keeping the  8 lbs berkly xl mono 

[Ohioguy25]

6 minutes ago, Mbirdsley said:

I use to catch a lot of smallies on 6ft6 spinning rods with Xl mono.  This was before I knew anything about rods.   Now I would prefer a 7ft spinning set up though with keeping the  8 lbs berkly xl mono 

Even in a kayak? What is the big advantage of 7’ over 6’6”?

[Alex from GA]

All summer I fish small rivers for the GA bass slam and use a  5 1/2' or 6' rod with usually 6 lb mono.  I fish out of a kayak and have to get under bushes and trees.

[Mbirdsley]

9 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Even in a kayak? What is the big advantage of 7’ over 6’6”?

Only used my kayak or canoe to get from spot to spot on the river.  Than I would wade short sections than move onto the next promising spot.  I guess if you were going to stay in the kayak to fish shorter would be better