Is there any advantage to a 7’+ Ned/finesse rod over a 6’10”?

[Ohioguy25]

If so, why does St Croix make their finesse rod only 6’10”?  It would seem that the extra length would afford added leverage/sensitivity when both lifting the rod to feel for a bite and setting the hook. 

I love the Legend Tournament Bass spinning Ned/Dropshot rod, but now that I’m used to the 7’1” MF I got along with it I can’t help but wonder if that setup couldn’t benefit from being a bit longer as well.  What rod do you use for this application?

[Wprich]

I use a 6'10" MLXF legend elite. Pretty sure St. Croix has a 7'6" in several models that are MLXF as well which would lend themselves to finesse and Loomis makes the 901 & 902(7'6") NRX and Conquest models.  I just went with the 6'10" for fear the longer rods would be too soft and wippy for me but they would likely give you longer casts in turn.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

LTB now has a 7'10" ml/xf rod

Victory line too the crosshair 7'10" ml/xf I have this rod its seems very nice so far.

One thing though a longer rod has less leverage not more.

[TNBankFishing]

I have a Steez ML and Legend X MLXF, the XF is great for senkos, shakyheads, and Ned’s. It’s also slightly more stout than the Steez so I tend to use it when there is more cover like grass or wood. 
 

Extra length won’t make too much difference unless you’re casting aerodynamic baits on super light line. 

[Ohioguy25]

8 hours ago, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

 

One thing though a longer rod has less leverage not more.

Does this mean less easy to feel a bite when lifting tip?

[TNBankFishing]

Counterintuitively you'll have less control over the fish during the fight, and won't be able to wrench them out of cover if it comes too it. 

 

Often you think a much longer rod means you're getting better hooksets and more power, but its not the case. The power of the blank and action determine that power much more. 

[Bankc]

In my opinion, anything less than 6" in rod length is pretty much equal.  Sure there will be tiny differences, but they won't fish dramatically different.  At least not to me.  And even 6" isn't a huge difference.  I have a 6'6" rod and a nearly identical 7' rod, and I doubt one has enabled me to catch more fish than the other due to length.  I notice the difference, but it's not effecting the way I fish.  I have a few old 5'5" rods, and those are pretty different from my 7' rods.  

 

I have to Ned rig rods, one is a 6'10" and the other is a 7'.  I can't even tell you which is which right now without looking at them.  They're different brands, so I notice the power and speed, which are rated the same on both rods, much more than the difference in length.  

[NHBull]

For me, the only benefit to a longer Ned rod is casting and truth be told I don’t like really long cast for that bait in my fishery unless I am going weedless.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

4 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Does this mean less easy to feel a bite when lifting tip?

I think blank, balance, overall weight and power/action play more of a roll than the length for feeling the bite.

 

My longer rods 7'6"-8' the fish feels heavier & more fight in the fish than with shorter rods if that makes sense.

[Ohioguy25]

1 hour ago, NHBull said:

For me, the only benefit to a longer Ned rod is casting and truth be told I don’t like really long cast for that bait in my fishery unless I am going weedless.

Right, past a certain distance you can’t work your bait.

[LCG]

To me finesse fishing is targeting areas where fish are most likely to be. It's not a cover a lot of water technique. So a shorter rod makes more sense to me for accurate casting. I fish from the bank or kayak mainly, so a shorter rod is ideal. 6'8-6'10" with a shorter handle length (13"-14 ") is the sweet spot for me. I think it's personal preference along with where and how you fish.

[ATA]

If I pitch and underhand cast, I love the 6'10", But if normal cast I want to use my 7'.

[thunderblack]

Mostly casting. I just fished in SW last week and the distance you can get with a 7-6 / 8'-0" rod is nuts compared to 7' rod. 6'-10 - 7'-0 won't be a big deal though. Both work.

[Ohioguy25]

6 hours ago, ATA said:

If I pitch and underhand cast, I love the 6'10", But if normal cast I want to use my 7'.

How far can you really cast a Ned and work it successfully?

[ATA]

1 minute ago, Ohioguy25 said:

How far can you really cast and Ned and work it successfully?

Depending on ned head weight and line I am using. but lets say 15 yards?