MOVING DOWN TO SHORTER ROD!

[topwater buzz]

I have always liked 6"6'' or even 6'3" rod. I do not have a chance to fish from boat much anymore. Mostly from bank at a few nice ponds and such! Looking at Powell Max spinning rod in 6'. 6'8" is just to long to drag around and through the bush. M EX FAST action for plastics use only. Am I going to notice a decrease in in overall rod preformance in shorter length? I realize longer cast and such will be decreased but this is not a big deal in my situation. Just never used a shorter rod and need some advice. I assume sensitivity and such is not affected? The only other rod I am looking at is Shimano Crucial in say 6'3" to 6"6" length.

[Speed Worm]

A 6' rod is generally considered a specialty rod and it should not be used as an all-purpose rod IMHO. It might  just be a tad short for plastics. I would only use a rod this short for pitching and rollcasting a spinnerbait at short distances (10-15 yds). In real murky water you can get real close to structure and make short accurate casts with smooth presentation. If I was you I would consider a 6'6"-7' range.

Just my 2 cents!

[Ballpark Frank]

A short rod will be fine. Some of the guys on the forum can remember when a long rod was 6'. I used 7' rods for awhile, but they were too cumbersome for the waters I fish. As for casting, yeah you lose a little distance, but gain in accuracy. I now use three 6' rods and they work just fine. My ALL-PURPOSE is a G.Loomis 6' MH fast casting that I use for cranks, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, t-rigs, and lighter jigs. My other 2 are a 6' H casting(frogs and heavy jigs) and a 6' M spinning. The spinning handles almost all of my plastics work and performs this very well. There are a few guys here that are very happy with their short rods and are never disappointed with them ;D.

[David P]

I'd really suggest re thinking getting a shorter rod... I lug around 5 rods , all over which are over 7'3, and up to 8fters. It's really not that tough...

Casting distance is more of an issue from shore, a longer rod helps me get the bait out there, and also gives me leverage fighting a fish back to shore.

[firefightn15]

I first went to longer rods the last couple of years.  But I still keep my 6 and 6.5 ft rod handy.  Fishing from shore or river bank is o.k. for longer rods when there's no bushes or low hanging trees, but it makes it  alot easier for some of these tight spots when you have shorter fishing rods.

[Marc711]

The trend is longer rods, but 6' rod will do just fine.  I too can remember when a 6' rod was considered long, and 5'-5'6" was the norm.

I like shorter rods too, and rarely feel handicaped.  They are so easy to handle too, I just love em'.  If we are talking spinning rods, you can really pick up casting distance by dropping a line size, or going to a small diameter braid.

I wouldn't hesitate to try one.

[family guy]

your only dropping two inchs,so you probly wont notice any differance at all,in casting distance.how much shorter or longer is the handle of the shimano?cause handle length was the only reason i dropped from a 7ft to a 6'6.i really didnt see that much of a differance in casting distance at all.but handle length made all the differance in my case.the handle of the 7ftr kept hitting me when working plastics.no problem now with the 6'6.

[Muddy]

I thought this thread was gonna be about circumcision my mistake

[Loudy]

i use a 5'6 medium ugly stick with worms and swim baits and have landed two bass over 7lbs in the last week.

[Bassaholic84]

I understand what your saying and 6' would be fine especially if its tight but i wouldnt go under 6'6 for an all purpose rod

[Sam]

I see Muddy continues to post his funny comments which are great. Keep 'em coming, Muddy.

I fish a lot of ponds and have found that a 6' 6" Bass Pro Shop Extreme 60 Million Modulus Medium Heavy rod works great for all applications.

I also have a 6' 6" Ugly Stick spinning rod that I use when pond fishing and it is fun to use.

I have caught a number of ladies over 7 pounds with both rods.

So don't go overboard with the high end rods.  The lower end rods, between $50 to $100 will work great on ponds.  

[adclem]

I see Muddy continues to post his funny comments which are great. Keep 'em coming, Muddy.

I fish a lot of ponds and have found that a 6' 6" Bass Pro Shop Extreme 60 Million Modulus Medium Heavy rod works great for all applications.

I also have a 6' 6" Ugly Stick spinning rod that I use when pond fishing and it is fun to use.

I have caught a number of ladies over 7 pounds with both rods.

So don't go overboard with the high end rods.  The lower end rods, between $50 to $100 will work great on ponds.  

Good info, answered some of the questions I had.

Thanks,

[LAO162]

I've found that my 7 ft rod limits my ability to position myself around structure when fishing from shore.  Also, the shorter rods are easier to handle when casting off balance.

[moby bass]

I bought a Gander Mountain 6' MH spinning rod for the express purpose of

walking the river bank where trees, bushes and narrow pathways are common.  I'm usually throwing in between laydowns where no great distances are involved. It has greatly reduced my hangups in trees and bushes above and behind me.  I still carry longer rods for more open areas or different baits and applications.

[skillet]

Also one of those that have always used the "short" rods. The only thing you might lose is a little distance. Depending on where you are fishing (how grown-up with weeds, trees and vegetation or size of pond or lake) you will be mighty glad to have shorter rods. As far as landing larger fish, I think there are some deep sea fishermen that might argue the point of longer rods. Bought a 6'6" Crucial lately and LOVE it but don't think it changed my mind on going longer. Like most things having to do with fishing, this is just one opinion ...

                           As ever,

                            skillet

[T-Bone]

I have a 6' rod that I use when I am fishing from shore with limited casting space, because of limbs and bushes along the shore, and the only thing that I lose is a little distance.  But usually I can't get a good cast anyway when the shore is cluttered with limbs and bushes.