Should your height determine length of your rod?

[GITBIT]

My wife says size doesn't matter, but I am having some doubts.

Thinking about moving up from 6'6" baitcasters. Should being 5'9" tall make a difference? Is a 6'8" or 6'10" a good middle ground? Is a shorter rod better for rippin and top water? Does a longer jig rod contribute to fishing too fast (physics question)? Does the technique your targeting make a difference or should all your rods be the same length like Clunn preaches?

Look forward to your opinions,

Mike

[MrSkeeter]

Well, it depends ... I'm a couple of inches shorter than you and am using 7' rods for jigs and cranks/blades. For ripping & topwater, I use 6'6" rods ... dartheads and others I use 6'6" ~ 7' rods.

I think the bottom line is, you get used to and comfortable with what you're using. If it doesn't feel right in the beginning, fish with it for a few trips and see if you can get accustom to it. If not then go back or change to something else.

Rod & reel weight and balance has a lot to do with how the rod feels in your hands as well. So if a rod doesn't feel right, try changing to reel (bigger or smaller reel will add or deduct weight from your setup) may make it feel better.

For ripping, I use a Chronarch MG ... initially, I thought ... "it's only a couple of ounces, it SHOULDN'T make that much difference" ... but you know what ... IT DOES after a day of ripping!!!

[L.Hackney]

Gitbit,
my best friend is a shrimp. I mean, he's alot shorter than you and is one of the best angler's I know around here. He uses 7 footers and has no problem's..

[big_gorilla]

There was a post just a few days ago that talked about balance which to me is more important then the length of the rod.

I designed a line of rods for a company that were mainly 6'10" it seems to be a good length for alot of applications.

One thing that holds true is the longer the rod the less sensitivity. What I mean is it takes more time to transmit a bite.

For my shakin and jigs I use a 6'10 rod. I go to a 7' or 7'3" for in close pitchin.

Pick a quality rod and you won't have to worry so much about the length of the rod.

Good luck!

[Sacto John]

I'm 5'4 and most of my rods are 7 foot or longer. I do not have any rods over 7'6 only because I have never seen the need to buy a rod that size. I prefer the feel, lure control and casting distance I get form the longer rods.

[Mark Hiser]

GitBit-

Boy I hope not, cause I already here way too many things like I'm wider than I am tall Here are some things to consider,
a longer rod will help with some applications such as pitchin, and flippin, both in power and in control of your bait.
A longer rod for rippin, crankin, and topwater will allow longer casts, and be more forgiving with a played fish.
For Carolina riggin most folks use a longer rod to take up line on the hookset.

For me the bigger obstacle is the length of the handle, most of the swimbait rods out have alot of handle length and it's awkward for me to position the rod and be comfortable all day.

All of these thoughts are assuming that the action of the rod is designed for the specific application it's being used for

Just the thoughts of someone who's been told he's vertically challenged!!!

Mark Hiser

[Phil]

MY THEORY HAS ALWAYS BEEN, THE LIGHTER THE BAIT THE LONGER THE ROD, THE LONGER THE CAST IS NEEDED THE LONGER THE ROD.
RIPBAITS SEEM TO BE THE ONLY HINDRANCE USING A LONGER ROD , IF YOU ARE A SHORT GUY YOU MAY NEED A PLATFORM, IF YOU ARE A DOBYNS, YOU NEED A LONGER ROD !!!!!!

JIGS

[Mike]

I think the size of your feet determin the size of you rod!


Sorry

[Mark Hiser]

Oh Crap

[Mark Hiser]

And I don't think your REALLy sorry
Mark