Opinion on shorter rods

[JaseOne]

I am considering getting a St. Croix 5'6 medium/fast rod as I mostly fish in a creek by my house that isn't too wide.  I also hit some small ponds around the city.  However, I was wondering if 5'6 is too small for taking it out into the river or lake.  I see that most people on the site use 6' and above.  Should I just get a 6 foot rod?  But I like the compact feel and look of the 5'6, and it would make transport in my small car better.  What are the disadvantages/advantages of having a rod that size versus going with something larger? Am I going to sacrifice that much casting distance and feel with a 5'6?

Jase

[LakeAnnaBasser]

i actually like 5  foot 6 rods because most of them have a pistol grip which makes a roll cast easier to get your bait under docks or over hanging trees. I wouldnt use a 5 6 for any thing like a jig or T-rig. But if you like it better than a 6 than go for it.

[Jig Man]

If you can get one locally, why not buy it and try it.  If you don't get it dirty and don't like it you should be able to exchange it.  I use a lot of short spinning rods but my shortest casting rod that I use is 6.5'.

[cart7t]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with fishing a rod shorter than 6'.  General purpose rods longer than 6' weren't the norm for anything other than flippin or C-riggin in the 80's and into the early 90's.  

[roadwarrior]

I don't think it makes that much difference, it's really a matter of personal preference. I happen to prefer longer rods, really 7', but I have a couple of 6 1/2' and a 6' ultralight, too.

[JaseOne]

Thanks for the input guys.

But do you guys think I'm going to lose much as far as casting distance? And leverage? I'm upgrading from a 6'0 shimano m/f and an ugly stick light action.

[Taliesin]

I've actually been in situations where I was glad to have a rod between 4.5 and 5.5 feet.

When shore fishing and forging your way through bruch to get back to shore, with limbs all around you while you cast, limited storage space in a car...

Short rods have their place, but my personal preference (when I have the storage space and casting room) is 6.5 to 7.

Even from a boat I still use a 5.5 foot rod for skipping baits under trees. I get much better control with that rod vs. the 6.5 foot.

[Chris at Tech]

Thanks for the input guys.

But do you guys think I'm going to lose much as far as casting distance?  And leverage? I'm upgrading from a 6'0 shimano m/f and an ugly stick light action.

There's likely very little difference in usable length of the rod between a 5'6" pistol grip rod and a 6' casting rod.  The difference in length between those rods is mostly handle length, which really doesn't effect casting that much.

Put the 2 rods side by side, and line them up by the reel seat.  Then see how much longer one rod is over the other.

[skillet]

 Most of my fishing is done from the bank, always used 5'6" (probably 30+ yrs.) pistol grips for baitcasting until last yearand got a 6'. Have a 6' for spinning. Real happy with shorter rods IMHO...

                                        As Ever,

                                         skillet

[Jeff H]

If you are talking spinning rod, I have one of those and I LOVE the thing for wading shorelines and finessing dinks etc.  

[cart7t]

Thanks for the input guys.

But do you guys think I'm going to lose much as far as casting distance?  And leverage? I'm upgrading from a 6'0 shimano m/f and an ugly stick light action.

There's likely very little difference in usable length of the rod between a 5'6" pistol grip rod and a 6' casting rod.  The difference in length between those rods is mostly handle length, which really doesn't effect casting that much.

Put the 2 rods side by side, and line them up by the reel seat.  Then see how much longer one rod is over the other.

This is true.  Line up a typical 6'6" trigger rod, doesn't matter which one, with a 6' pistol grip rod and the actual length of the rod shaft is nearly the same.

[volpster31]

i cut my teeth with a 5'6 quantum baitcasting rod...i loved it for fishing tight areas...it broke a few years back & havent owned one since.the shortest rod i have now is 6'  but ive been thinking about another 5'6 for the hell of it

[aggiebassin]

my dad used to use 5'6" pistol gripped rods for everything.  it was the most common size rod in the late 70's and 80's

i however do not like them....not b/c of fuctionality, but more because i just never got used to them and prefer longer rods w/ longer handles.  

if you like the way it handles/feels/fishes get it

[kbkindle]

kbkindle    i have about 6      5'6"  st croix  rods all but two are premier

reeds outfiters had a sale on st croix  5'-6"  AVID  pistol grip rods   and i bought 2 rods  after having premier rods and going to avid series.   you would have to fight  me for them  to me there is a great difference.   yes they are more expensive   but they have a better cork pistol grip easer to hold   with a med action  and a fast tip.   you sure can tell the difference   kb

[Guest the_muddy_man]

ARE WE TALKIN FISHING OR WOMEN??????