Difference in Rod length

[Scott Paananen]

Hello everyone,
My wife picked up a new rod for me when she was out of town, we live in a small town, so she had to get me one while she was out of town. She picked me up a 8 foot rod, The other rods i've used were about 7 feet long. What is the difference? Will this have a great affect on how i cast? I noticed that most the length seems to be in the handle, under the reel.

Thanks,


looking into it, it looks like it's a saltwarter rod, i don't think it will make any difference if i use it in fresh water, or will it?

 

[usernamehere]

All other things equal, the longer the rod:

- harder to transport
- cast further
- less accurate
- more control
- more leverage
- allows the rod take slightly more pressure
- can cast slightly heavier lure (1/8oz or so more, depending on how much longer)

using a saltwater rod in freshwater is perfectly fine. using a freshwater rod in saltwater, however, may not be fine. I use a saltwater rod in freshwater as well.

 

[dusty122]

yea said above you got more to help you bring in that fish. i like smaller rods myself cuz of the accuracy and fighting action with it. but with longer rods you can fight alot bigger fish with it. put on a decent reel and ur good to go. i have a 6'6 and its only good for perch-channel cats but im missing out on muskie and big pike.

for bigger fish you need a longer rod.

oh if its a saltwater then there mostlikely made better to fight the salt corrosion so it will last longer in the long run same for the saltwater reels.

 

[Shawarma]

You don't "need" a longer rod for bigger fish, it just makes controlling them a bit easier.

My first 22lb salmon was caught on a 6'6 Shakespeare rod and 12lb test.

 

[Scott Paananen]

Thanks for all the great info. I can't wait to get out this weekend and break in the new rod.

 

[dusty122]

You don't "need" a longer rod for bigger fish, it just makes controlling them a bit easier.

My first 22lb salmon was caught on a 6'6 Shakespeare rod and 12lb test.

ok need isnt the right word. "you would like"

 

[Christopheraaron]

ok need isnt the right word. "you would like"

Actually that's not completely true either, it completely depends on the intended application. If I'm tossing jerkbaits for pike or muskie I always prefer a shorter rod. The biggest advantage of a long rod is the control you have over fish and casting distance, but if you're casting short range and need accuracy a 6'6" rod would be my first choice.

 

[Shawarma]

So long story short, you'll catch fish (hopefully) with whatever you're using. the experience might be different but only if you really know what you're looking for in those differences.

Enjoy the rod!

 

[yush_gta]

agree that the shorter the rod the more accurate. and also makes a difference if you're shore fishing or fishing from small boat or big boat and whether you're casting or just trolling.

i prefer 5.5 to 6 feet with no more than medium action medium power. that's because i fish from an inflatable boat and fish for bass with the occasional small pike. like the accuracy when i'm trying to throw that bait into very particular spots.

but i'm on a river for instance and i'm going to be trolling a lot then i use my 7 foot rods which happen to be stiffer and help me reel in bigger fish quicker. though due to the length i really have to choke up on the rod when i'm trying to net the fish by myself.

 

[Kleiner]

Hello everyone,
My wife picked up a new rod for me when she was out of town, we live in a small town, so she had to get me one while she was out of town. She picked me up a 8 foot rod, The other rods i've used were about 7 feet long. What is the difference?

About 12 inches

(sorry couldn't resist) :lol:

 

[MuskieBait]

Are you shore fishing or boat fishing most of the time?

In a smaller boat, I prefer a slightly shorter rod unless you have a casting deck. Usually nothing over 7'6" for me personally.

From shore, if you have enough room to cast, a longer rod will allow you a bit more casting distance...but casting distance is also about a mix of line diameter, line material, weight of lure or sinker, the rig you are using, and of course the action of your rod. Thinner line, limper line, heavier weight within the casting range of your rod and a slightly softer action and punch out longer casts...if you load the rod properly.

If you have limited clearance fishing from shore, then a shorter rod is preferred.

Doesn't matter if it is a saltwater rod or freshwater rod...as long as the rod action is good...and the material is good. At the end, it is just graphite (or I guess fiberglass or graphite composite), a reel seat, line guides and rod grips. Saltwater rods are built (or should be) to be more corrosion resistant as mentioned previously...so the longevitiy of the rod should be much greater.

 

[dusty122]

Actually that's not completely true either, it completely depends on the intended application. If I'm tossing jerkbaits for pike or muskie I always prefer a shorter rod. The biggest advantage of a long rod is the control you have over fish and casting distance, but if you're casting short range and need accuracy a 6'6" rod would be my first choice.

yea 6'6 is wat i use. but longer rod gives u some good leverage over the fish. lol i was trolling with a 10' rod and i when u get a fish on you can even feel the fish. cuz of the crazy bending but u bring it in fast.