Longer rods for shore fishing

[jwo1124]

I posted pretty much the same idea in another post but it's long and I'm afraid people are not reading it because they don't want to read the whole thing. Anyway, has anyone or does anyone use longer than usual rods for shore fishing for bass? I'm talking about 9-11' rods. I know its not umcommon for cat fishermen or salmon fishers to use rods longer than the usual 6'6"-7'6" rods mainly used, but does anyone use these longer 10' rods for shore fishing to reach fish holding further off shore in deeper water when the usual rods and casts just aren't reaching? I am thinking about buying a Medium power 10' rod which casts 1/2 oz - 2 oz. lures in hopes to reach Bass holding off shore in deeper water.

The only thing I'm worried about is that the rods will be too big to correctly work lures. Plus the lure weights are kind of heavy for bass fishing, but I'll only use these longer rods when targeting fish when they are holding off shore.

[Marty]

I certainly can't tell you whether that's a good idea or not, only you can find out by actually doing it to see if it makes a difference. In most of my shore fishing waters, most fish are caught within a fairly close distance from shore. As far as what fish are way out there, I just block it out of my mind because I can't do much about it anyways. Maybe some knowledgeable people can tell you how much extra casting distance you are likely to attain with the longer rod and you can decide if that extra distance will reach to where you think the fish are.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

[shtuka]

Absolutely,

My standard rod length is 9' or 10' (and have some up to 14' and down to 7'2). You will definitely cast farther, have more options to work your lure or fish on the end of your line etc. ½ to 2oz sounds a little bit heavy for bass what rod are you talking about and what lures are you planning to use?

[Diablos]

When I was primary a shore fisherman, I had a  8.5ft Steelhead blank (St. Croix 2C86MF2 ) custom made into a long casting shore rod for fishing larger lakes and reservoirs. It works great!!

[islandbass]

I posted pretty much the same idea in another post but it's long and I'm afraid people are not reading it because they don't want to read the whole thing. Anyway, has anyone or does anyone use longer than usual rods for shore fishing for bass? I'm talking about 9-11' rods. I know its not umcommon for cat fishermen or salmon fishers to use rods longer than the usual 6'6"-7'6" rods mainly used, but does anyone use these longer 10' rods for shore fishing to reach fish holding further off shore in deeper water when the usual rods and casts just aren't reaching? I am thinking about buying a Medium power 10' rod which casts 1/2 oz - 2 oz. lures in hopes to reach Bass holding off shore in deeper water.

The only thing I'm worried about is that the rods will be too big to correctly work lures. Plus the lure weights are kind of heavy for bass fishing, but I'll only use these longer rods when targeting fish when they are holding off shore.

I am shorebound myself and I have rods at 8'6 and 8'6" for salmon and steelhead.  Yes, they will cast farther than my bass rods but their longer lengths make it awkward for working baits as we are accustomed to do for bass fishing.  You will fatigue a lot faster too when doing presentations that require a lot of working from the angler.  You might also have to make some adjustments to working the baits too.  Their added length moves more line.

So I stay with my regular bass rods and go to places where I have a better chance of catching fish from the shore. All of the 20 + plus smallies that I have caught (and this is my season targetting them) have come from no more than 30' from the bank.  My largemouth have also been caught in that range too.  

Other than that, perhaps the use some kind of floating apparatus might serve you better in the long run.  

[jwo1124]

Thanks for the thoughts guys. Islandbass makes a point that I was worried about and that was working lures with such a long and heavier rod. About the floating apparatus I was thinking about buying one of those inflatable single man pontoons or float tubes. It would sure be a little bit more expensive buying one of those and a good pair of waders and possibly flippers (I'd feel like a big duck out there) but it could be fun. I guess its all about trial and error...

[nycgrip]

i got this for $60 at walmart, stable, comfy and efficient. the cooler $15, the rod holder $15, and anchor $20, aren't necessary but nice additions. great for small to medium bodies of water.