How do you choose a rod length??

[The Rooster]

If you can find a whole lot of similar rods in terms of line and lure weight ratings, but they're in lengths such as 6'6", 6'8", 6'9", 6'10", and 7'0", then how do you choose the one you need?? Is it based on technique you are wanting it for?? 

[BassThumb]

Casting distance vs. accuracy, for the most part. I generally try get away with using the longest rod that still allows me to cast accurately.  Longer rods offer some nice advantages aside from just increased casting distance, like helping steer fish away from snags and obstructions once hooked, and allowing for quicker hooksets.

I prefer rods in the range of 7' - 7' 3" for casting, and 7' 6" - 8' for pitching and flipping. The only time I prefer a shorter rod is for making short casts to cover and for presentations where making twitches with a downward tip is preferred, like with hard jerkbaits and some topwater.

[Bassn Blvd]

Casting distance vs. accuracy, for the most part. I generally try get away with using the longest rod that still allows me to cast accurately. Longer rods offer some nice advantages aside from just increased casting distance, like helping steer fish away from snags and obstructions once hooked, and allowing for quicker hooksets.

I prefer rods in the range of 7' - 7' 3" for casting, and 7' 6" - 8' for pitching and flipping. The only time I prefer a shorter rod is for making short casts to cover and for presentations where making twitches with a downward tip is preferred, like with hard jerkbaits and some topwater.

That pretty much sums it up..

[BASSclary]

Agreed with BassThumb, but when i'm getting Uuber finessey, I like a shorter rod. Reason being is its hard for me to make little movements when working a bait, so that little movement at the cork will make less movement near the tip, thus the twitch/hop/drag etc is not so big.

[David P]

I personally try to get the longest rod possible for many of my techniques. Many tournaments have an 8ft rod max so usually that's the longest. I really like 7'3-8ft rods for all of my techniques. Casting distance, amount of line being moved on a hook set, and casting accuracy for me are 3 big reasons I like the longer rods.

[Bassn Blvd]

How do you choose a rod length??

This could get nasty ;D ;D ;D ;D

[SoFlaBassAddict]

For most fishing, I like a longer rod.  Most of mine are 7'3 to 7'6.  My primary worm and jig rod is a 6'10 though.  I feel like I have a little more control over the bait with the shorter rod.  It forces me to slow down a little more when working a bait at long distance.

[SirSnookalot]

My freshwater rods are 6'6, I get more than enough distance and handle whatever I encounter.  For saltwater I mainly use 7'6  & 8' but when it's super windy I drop down to 7', easier to handle in the wind and I don't see all that much difference in casting distance.

[0119]

Instead of being guided by technique, I am guided by type of fishing condition.  I rarely fish large bodies of freshwater. If I do Im always target fishing the shoreline. But mostly Im fishing off a kayak or the bank with heavy growth tight in around me. I only fish with rods 6'8" to 6'3".  My two Cumaras are 7'2" and Ive only used them twice. Even better quality longer rods seem tip heavy to me no matter how well the reel balances it.

[Grey Wolf]

My rods range from 5 ' to 7'6" and I use them accordingly.

[SeanW]

   I kinda go back and forth on this topic. I typically like the longer rods. Like David I was throwing 7'3 to 8ft this past year. Ive kinda shortened it up just a tad this off season, with the exception of punch rods. Bottom line is the shorter rod is a tad lighter. In dealing with my injuries Ive adapted my hookset and casting techniques. For some reason that has lead to shorter rods, but not much. Back to using 7' casting rods, and 6'9 spinning rods, so 3 inch's shorter.

    That said Ill still have plenty of use for those longer rods when casting distance is important.

[Stasher1]

Personally, I'm more comfortable with rods in the 6'8" to 6'10" range regardless of the technique. They just feel "right" to me. 

[Raul]

Pretty simple, for me is not a matter of distance vs accuracy, it 's a matter of room space to swing the rod, where I live if I go out on foot patrol the brush & trees added to the slope tell me that 6' 6 " is 6 inches too long so most of my rods are 6 ft or 5 '6". If I 'm not on the foot patrol then the boat is too small, 6 ft is the right size so I don 't hang up the biggest animal in the lake ( my compadre  ) by accident.

[gotarheelz14]

Pretty simple, for me is not a matter of distance vs accuracy, it 's a matter of room space to swing the rod, where I live if I go out on foot patrol the brush & trees added to the slope tell me that 6' 6 " is 6 inches too long so most of my rods are 6 ft or 5 '6". If I 'm not on the foot patrol then the boat is too small, 6 ft is the right size so I don 't hang up the biggest animal in the lake ( my compadre ) by accident.

haha right on. Pretty funny.

Carlos