Increased Spinning Rod Lengths ?

[ChrisD46]

Starting to see more 7’3” and 7’6” spinning rod lengths for bass fishing being mentioned in pro angler coverage - I believe mostly in Medium Fast / Extra Fast actions  …. *When or what applications are these longer spinning rods being used for now with bass ? My longest spinning rod is a 7’0” Medium Fast (shaky head , wacky rig , finesse swim bait) , etc. , then a 6’11” Medium Length (Ned Rig) , a 6’9” M F , 6’ M XF (popper) and finally the more classic 6’6” Medium Fast do it all length spinning rods and actions . Thanks in advance for opinions and experiences . 

[PaulVE64]

I cant speak as an authority but I've been looking at a longer MLF for the river.

I want to hold more line off the water and to handle fish better.

[Mobasser]

7 ft is my longest and I don't care to go much longer. If your just casting and reeling moving baits of any kind these longer rods are probably ok. If your fishing slow bottom hopping plastics, you can easily pull your bait out of the zone because these rods take up more line with every movement.

[JackstrawIII]

My longest spinning rod is also 7'0 and I don't really see any need for extra length. The place I see added rod length being a benefit is on hooksets farther from the boat, where the extra length can help overcome the added stretch and resistance from having more line between you and the lure. Since I don't really make long casts with a spinning rod ever... this is a non factor. 

[ChrisD46]

Still being curious - I read that spinning rods longer than 7’ are mainly for finesse soft plastics  where extra casting distance is required in clear water - more likely finesse swim baits where you need “stand off distance” and want to cover more water . 

[MN Fisher]

Only spinning rods I have that are longer than 7':

 

St Croix Mojo - 7'1" M/F - one inch doesn't make all that much difference.

St Croix Panfish - 7'3" ML/XF - used in my bass arsenal for light hair jigs, and super finesse (1/32 Neds, etc). The extra length lets me cast that light stuff a fair distance as the rod loads better than a shorter rod

Okuma Celilo - 7'6" UL/F - This is for those ultra-light crappie jigs of 1/64-1/32oz...again, UL rod and the length lets me put those out further than a shorter rod.

[ChrisD46]

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

Only spinning rods I have that are longer than 7':

 

St Croix Mojo - 7'1" M/F - one inch doesn't make all that much difference.

St Croix Panfish - 7'3" ML/XF - used in my bass arsenal for light hair jigs, and super finesse (1/32 Neds, etc). The extra length lets me cast that light stuff a fair distance as the rod loads better than a shorter rod

Okuma Celilo - 7'6" UL/F - This is for those ultra-light crappie jigs of 1/64-1/32oz...again, UL rod and the length lets me put those out further than a shorter rod.

So , in your case a ML long spinning rod for light lure weight / extra casting distance .

[MN Fisher]

37 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said:

So , in your case a ML long spinning rod for light lure weight / extra casting distance .

Yep - and it's not like the total lure weight isn't way under the rating

Panfish rod is rated 1/8-1/2oz

1/32 Ned + Z-Man TRD stick = .03125+.1380=.16975 - which is just shy of 3/16 total...well over the 1/8oz minimum of the rod.

[FellowAnglers1]

I like my daiwa steez the one 7-6mml and edge silver widow 7-3 light x fast more than my legend elite 7 medium fast and nrx+843s 7 medium heavy fast spinning rod.

[Craig P]

In tournaments, guys are using the 7’-3” + while livescoping with small-ish minnow style baits like a crush city freeloader.  The tip is fast and the bend is light to medium light and it helps with the presentation.

 

If you’re fishing suspended fish with a light swim bait, especially if scoping, it’s something you may want in your arsenal.  I have my fair share of experience with scoping suspended fish and while I have found some success, it’s just not something I enjoy over other methods so I pass on these longer variants.

[Dye99]

11 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

Still being curious - I read that spinning rods longer than 7’ are mainly for finesse soft plastics  where extra casting distance is required in clear water - more likely finesse swim baits where you need “stand off distance” and want to cover more water . 

Thats my belief as well...

I use a Megabass Flyssa for hair jigs and light swimbaits for this main reason.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Its for distance and line control using light baits with FFS.  There are other uses, but in the pro fishing context (which heavily influences products for recreational anglers) that what I would guess.  

[thunderblack]

If I could run with 7-3 - 7-6 spinning rods for every technique I would. The casting distance is greatly increased and most high end sticks still feel like a 7' model and balance well. 

[Hulkster]

so over the last few years I have slowly upgraded all my gear to longer rods. 

 

my main baitcasting rig is a 7'6 imx pro MBR 903

and my main spinning rig is a 7'6 imx pro SJR 901

 

the casting distance of 7'6 rods over the old standard 6'6 rod is significant. 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

2008 bought an Avid 8' ml mod spinning it's been a great rod. I did get the 7'10" Victory but still like the Avid more. During StCroix sale bough a 7'6" Legend Elite MF($125) just don't use it much.

[DaubsNU1]

Manufactures are pretty good at drumming up business...want to sell more rods...put longer rods in pro anglers hands...social media...etc.

 

Uncle told me years ago -- the world is all about separating you from your hard earned $$.

 

My boat's rod storage holds 7' max...and is much better with 6'-6" rods. And remember, most of my rods are 1990's era Cabela's branded (I think they were made with Loomis blanks).

[Spankey]

The longest I’m fishing are 7’ / 7’1”. How and where I fish (not a pro) I don’t think I would gain anything. Would like to try one. 
I love fishing my soft plastics on 6’3”, 6’8” and 6’9” fast and Xfast Avids and it looks like they stopped making them. 
An all time favorite river rod of mine is a 5’9” Avid Medium X-Fast. A tube and grub rod that works great around dock and overhanging limbs and branches. Another rod discontinued. 

I’m convinced that the game is being changed by the manufacturers. Not in a bad way. But a different way. Rods, baits, reels are all changing. I’m older and a creature of habit so I’m not all that receptive of some changes. 

[WRB]

Casting 40-50 yards has been normal distance where I bass because do pressured the bass shut if you get too close during daylight.

Longer spinning rods makes it easier to make longer cast with light weight lures.

FFS is new but targeting suspended isn’t.

Tom

[Brian11719]

I ended up with a couple extras and one that is 7'2 and another that is 7'3. Not much of a difference for me but if I had to do it again these would be my 4 spinning rods:

• 6'10 ML XF (drop shot)
• 7'1 ML F (worms and 'light' swimbaits)
• 7'1 M F (shakey / wacky)
• 7'2 MH F (fluke / 'medium' swimbaits / bubba shot)

 

The lengths are more related to the rod line / warranty and what's available and if they were all 7' I'd probably be ok with it but I actually really like these lengths for the lures I throw on them. Haven't noticed much of a difference w/ the MH F 7'3 rod that I own but probably wouldn't want to go much longer than that for a spinning setup. Having said that IMO a little extra length is nice if you are fishing around grass and / or want a little extra distance on your cast. Flukes, 3.8" keitechs and a bubba shot are 3 of my main go to lures when there's grass around but not so much that the only thing you can do is frog or flip...