What are your deciding factors in choosing rod length?

[fishbear]

Does 6 in. make that big of a difference in a rod?  Why  6'6" or 7'????

I understand tight cover requires a shorter rod, but for just general fishing, why do you choose one length over the other.  Or does it not matter???

[ww2farmer]

Personal choice has a lot to do with it, but for some techniques a shorter or longer rod is a must IMHO.

I have multiple rods in 6', 6'6",6'10", 7' and 7'6".

Personal I would not want to flip with any thing shorter than 7'6", nor would I want to skip docks, or under trees with any thing longer than 6'. I prefer to work a jerkbait with a 6'6".

[roadwarrior]

I'm pretty much in agreement with ww2farmer, it's mostly personal preference. I have two 6 1/2' rods, the rest are 7'. I was thinking about replacing my "all-around" Avid AC66MF with a longer rod, but I have grown to appreciate the ease of working jerkbaits and topwater with this shorter stick.

8-)

[Jeff H]

I prefer shorter rods as compared to most guys.  The only 7' rods I own are my crankin' sticks and Flippin' Sticks, neither of which get a lot of use.  At the moment my rod locker will only hold up to 6'6" rods but that is not why I choose shorter.  Shorter rods exert less leverage on my wrists, which are not in the greatest shape these days.

[David P]

I like long rods even in tight cover. No matter what, I prefer longer rods.

Senkos and T-Rig - 7ft3inch

Jigs - 7ft6inch

Frogs - 7ft6inch

Swimbaits - 8ft

 I like 7'3 and above for anything. I own one rod that's a 7fter and nothing under that. The 7fter is my finesse rod.

This is just my preference, and I know some other guys as well that are like this. Some  guys like 6ft and 6'6 rods only.

I can cast further, feel like I have better hook ups, more leverage over the fish, and I cast more accurately with longer rods.

[fishfordollars]

I guess I am different on this subject. My height is the determining factor when choosing a rod. I am 6' tall and have problems using anything over 7' and most of my rods fall between 6'6" and 7'.

I just cannot flip or pitch effectly with anything over 7. I also take into consideration the distance from the water I am standing in my boat. I run a Skeeter, but if I was forced to fish some other and it changed the overall height I am use to it might make me change rod lengths to compensate.

[MALTESE FALCON]

I fish open water 95% of the time, so I want the longest cast possible. All my rods are 7' except for one at 8'-3". (I can almost hit Canadian water with this one)LOL

Falcon

[Aaron]

All the rods I fish regualrly are 6'6" rods or shorter.  I fish from the bank and find the shorter rods are easier to maneuver.  When I get a boat I will begin switching over to 7' rods to get the extra casting distacne.

[Joe Boss]

I am just the opposite Aaron. I fish from shore with spinning reels. I like a long rod, 6'6" to 7'. I find the longest possible rod combined with the lightest possible line (6 or 8#) equals the farthest casting distance for me.

[Raul]

Does 6 in. make that big of a difference in a rod?

Of course it does, 6 inches in rod length is the difference between me being able to swing the rod to cast comfortably or snagging my lure on a friggin huizache brush  > when I 'm on foot patrol or hooking my compadre with the lure when we are on the boat.

[CookieMonst3r]

I prefer a shorter rod 6' or 6'6, I can still cast the distance I need get better hook ups and I'm usually shore fishing around bushes and the like.

[Hot n Tot]

I grew up fishing shorter rods. I prefer 6' or 6'-6". I have some 7'ers, but unless I'm C-rigging or want extra casting distance for some reason, I rarely use them.  My 7' crankbait rod sure can toss a lipless crank a long distance though!

[Grey Wolf]

I use differant length rods. 5'6" , 6', 6'6".

The short ones for over -hanging branches and tight spots and the longer ones when i'm fishing open water.

[fishbear]

Does 6 in. make that big of a difference in a rod?  

Of course it does, 6 inches in rod length is the difference between me being able to swing the rod to cast comfortably or snagging my lure on a friggin huizache brush  > when I 'm on foot patrol or hooking my compadre with the lure when we are on the boat.

;D ;D wont be a compadre to long if you put a set of trebles in his ear!!!!  

[TournyFish001]

Back in the day when I was getting started a guy at the local shop said it was all depending on your height- if you are short then you need a shorter rod and vice versa.  Since then I have realized he has a point but I don't really agree with it unless you are a youth or little old lady.  What I recomend is, longer rods for open water 6'6" to 7'6" unless its top water or jerk bait then I'd say <or= to 6'6".  I prefer a 7'er unless I am jerk'n or pop'n- I almost always fish out of a boat in open water.  To sum it up... personal preference

[Bassaholic84]

The deciding factor for me is if I can fit it in my car  ;D

[David P]

I'm shocked to see that everyone lucks such short rods.

I'm only 5'11". I don't think height makes much of a difference, especially when there are so many advantages of longer rods!

Oh well, guess I'm the outcast.

[Alpster]

I love my short rods for bank fishing and high accuracy casting. I also love my long rods for casting distance and deep water bottom fishing. My rods run the gambit from 5' 6" to 8 feet. They all have their application.

Ronnie

[TournyFish001]

I'm shocked to see that everyone lucks such short rods.

I'm only 5'11". I don't think height makes much of a difference, especially when there are so many advantages of longer rods!

Oh well, guess I'm the outcast.

I don't think height makes a difference in selecting a rod length and 5'11" aint short, I am pretty sure around 5'10" is the average height for a guy.

[David P]

I'm shocked to see that everyone lucks such short rods.

I'm only 5'11". I don't think height makes much of a difference, especially when there are so many advantages of longer rods!

Oh well, guess I'm the outcast.

I don't think height makes a difference in selecting a rod length and 5'11" aint short, I am pretty sure around 5'10" is the average height for a guy.

I agree, the height comment was based on comments several others left. If I was 5ft I'd still be wanting 7'3 + rods.

I still feel short!

[Chad.]

I'm 14 5'9'' i perfer a longer rod infact i flip and pitch with a 7' 9'' carrot stick