I'm 5'7" I use mostly 7'3" to 7'6" rods

Primary advantage of the longer rod was to launch big heavy lures (crankbaits) or long leader Carolina rigs and be able to get a hook set after a long cast. With the advancement in fishing lines like flourocarbon and braid and higher speed reels there is nothing wrong with using shorter rods. It just becomes a personal preference. When I first started fishing most bass rods were 5'6, then 6' and 6'6" pitching rods came along and 7'6" was a flipping rod. So whatever you feel comfortable with is good. It's just an advancement in technology and marketing by the tackle industry, probably not many big fishing rod manufacturers even offer 6' baitcasting rods anymore. So if they can convince everyone bigger is better then everyone has to go out and buy some new rods.

Don't matter I know plenty of short dudes and gals who use longer sticks.

At 6' 0" I generally fish 7' and 7'3" rods for most applications. However, I was fishing Yellow Magics this spring at Lake Comedero and accidentally used a 6'6" rod and loved it. The rest of the week I stuck with the shorter rod and won't go back to 7'+ rods when fishing twitch type baits.

I am about 6'5" and use mostly 7' rods. I wear a 37 sleeve length so I think with arms that long I don't necessarily need a longer rod. I like a 6'6" rod for popping topwaters, too. I use a 6'8" for pitching around docks.

I think it's more about what's comfortable to you Steve. For me it's all about the length of the handle below the reel. I'm really picky about that.

If you are throwing overhand, there is no doubt there is an advantage to the longer 7+ foot rods. For underhanded pitching, I could see where a longer 7+ rod may be a little cumbersome for guys that are vertically-challenged.

I not a tall person , top water and skipping with longer rods can be different than short ones , also storage of the long rods sometimes can be an issue , also the length behind the reel is critical for me .

Rod size really doesn't come into play unless I am flipping or walking a bait.

+1

Topwater, jerkbaits, and �dock rods� I prefer 7� - 6�10� , every others rod I own is over 7�

At 5'8" I have no trouble flipping, pitching, or skipping with 7' and 7'3" rods. Haven't tried a shorter rod for skipping though. Maybe it would work better. Will try tomorrow.









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It only effects you if you are flipping.

It's a lot easier to skip docks with a shorter rod. I have a buddy that uses a 6ft for it...

spiderman pole

Thanks for all the advice. Main problem I have is I drop the rod tip when cranking, walking the dog, working a jerk bait and banging the bait off the boat with the skip casting .

Thanks for the comments.