what rod length for pier fishing?

[funboi]

I currently have a 6'6" rod. Mainly going panfish, bass and some catfish. I'd like to try salmon or carp too.

People are telling me to get a longer rod for pier fishing. Are they correct? Is 6'6" too short?

 

[staffman]

6'6" is not great , a rod in the 8'-10' range that is designed for 8 to 15lb. test would definitely be better.

 

[AaronKrick]

I have a 9 ft shimano clarus for salmon from the pier and that length is plenty for a crowded pier. Definitely no more than 10 ft. If the rod is fairly stiff it can rip a spoon as far as my rod.

 

[IR4Jflyfishing]

I use a 7'6 for pier spoon fishing, and that seems to be idle. For bottom bouncing and carp fishing I would suggest a longer rod however if you are primarily throwing hardware a 7'6 medium fast action rod 6-20lb with the capability to throw 3/4 ounce spoons is more then enough.

 

[hamiltonangler94]

I have a 9' medium action rod and I find it's perfect for piers

 

[funboi]

Can 9' be used for panfish too?

 

[Christopheraaron]

it can, but it won't be much fun lol. There are guys who use long rods for panfish but they are very light action, for salmon you need something much heavier. I have a 8'6" clarus with a 4000 series sahara reel loaded with as much 15lb PP as I can fit, casts farther than you could ever hope to reach with a 6'6".

 

[usernamehere]

You dont ahve to go out of your way to buy a 10ft rod if you dont want to.

A longer rod allows you to cast much further, and have a better control of the fish (you can move the tip of the rod in a wider arc than a shorter rod).

That being said, I use my 7ft rod for pier fishing all the time.

For carp, unless you are throwing heavy rigs (bolt rig, some kind of feeder rig, etc), then any rod would do. For normal hair rig or just corn on a hook, ANY rod can be used.

And yes, any rod can be used for panfish, as long as you have a small, sensitive float.

 

[Christopheraaron]

I actually use my ultralight all the time for carp under 10 lbs lol

 

[openfire]

Over the years, I've used a 9', 10'6" and an 11'6" for the piers. If I had to choose one of those three that I would recommend for strictly pier fishing, it would be the 10'6", hands down.

 

[jc53]

9 1/2 ft St Croix Avid

I have fished the 10 1/2 ft I thought is was a bit too long.

 

[rayray519]

9'6" Shimano Clarus has worked well for me.