How do you choose the correct rod length?

[Erie660]

I'm curious on how everyone chooses the length of the baitcasting rods they use. Is it personal preference or does your lure choice decide on what length rod you use. I currently have a 7' MH Kistler extra fast ( Helium LTA ) and I'm looking to add one more maybe two. I fish mainly St Clair and Erie. Kistler is running a special on the 6'6 magnesium rod until the end of March and I was thinking about one of these rods. Thanks

[Cy]

I choose my rod length based on what I am using it for and what I am comfortable with.  For example, I like a 7' rod for crankbaits, pitchin', punchin' or casting jigs and plastics.  I like a long rod because of the casting distance, because I can pick up a lot of slack with the hook set or a sweep of the rod and because I am relatively tall and don't mind a 7' rod.  I use a 6' 6" rod for throwing topwater, slop frogs and working docks.  I like the shorter rod for casting accuracy, I feel I can hit a target better with 6' 6", I like the broom handle feel of the shorter rod.  I throw spinner baits on a 6' 10", I think it is a good balance of both rods.  I don't use one of the most common lengths going, that being a 7' 6", for some reason it just feels too long to me and I don't like it.  I would say find lengths that you are comfortable with, that feel right to you.

Cy

[Waterfoul]

Slow presentation finesse tactics... I prefer a longer rod.  You can pick up the slack line quicker with a long rod.  My d.s. rod is 7'2"  My shakey head is 7'6"

My cranking and spinner bait rods are 7 footers.  The only short rod I use is for top water spooks, poppers, and similar stuff.   I fish these with the rod tip down and being only 5'8" tall the shorter rod allows me to work these baits without slapping the water with the rod tip.

[motocross269]

I am trying to keep it simple...I use long rods for open water casting, jigging and drifting, And also for pitching/Flipping into cover...I like shorter rods for target casting and skipping..
I use 5'6 inch rods for vertical jigging in heavy current..It is easier for me to see the line and stay vertical with the TM...I am usually Walleye fishing with these rods..Not much of a fight..

[thedude]

i prefer a 7' rod for just about everything, only time i really like anything in th 6 or 6'6" range is for hard baits/spinner baits so i can hold the rod tip near the water on the retrieve.

[fiker]

I've never held a Kistler rod in my hand.  My opinion is based on rods that are much less expensive, and therefore probably heavier.
To me, there are several things that dictate what rod length to use. But, no matter what, rod selection is a very personal issue.  You take all the info you can gather, and make your selection, but until you've fished with that rod for a day or so, you never really know.
Factors that I see affecting rod selection are:
1. Height of the angler. Being taller makes longer rods easier to handle.
2. Technique.   Deeper water, Carolina rigging, techniques that require a long sweeping hook set, require longer rods.  Flipping and pitching, equal longer rods as well.
Jerkbaits and techniques that require me moving the rod to impart action call for shorter rods. I have a 6/6"MH Fish Eagle II, and it just doesn't work for me on jerk baits.
3. Age of the angler  As one gets a little older, it gets harder
to do certain applications all day long.  For me, it's tough on my elbow to use a bait caster all day long.
4.  Are you a boater, or a non-boater, and what type of boat.  I often fish out of the back of my friends IB/OB Bayliner.  It has high sides.  I'm often throwing a different kind of cast from his boat.  I don't even take my longer bait casters on his boat anymore.
5.  Line type- This is in part a technique specific factor, but not always.  Sometimes it's just preference as to the application at hand.  Some guides seem to do better with some fishing lines than others as well. 

But in the end, after you take all the factors into account, it's your personal preference that will be the biggest thing of all. 

[BrianB]

For me it is what i am comfortable with. It also depend on what Presentation I am using. Check out the Grandt Rods Forum and ask the same question the is a couple more Pro staff that can give you so more ideas. I do use Grandt rods it is about the senstivity and the cofendence in the rod. For me when I am throwing crank bait or spinner bait I use both 7' and 6'6'' Medium or Medium Heavy. Check out the XLH70 Series or the All American Pro Series. All these rods come with a Life Time Unconditional Warrenty.

[Revtro]

If you fish a lot of clear water like St. Clair, a longer rod will help get the cast further out there, which is important in real clear water.  I also found that for myself, throwing a weightless Senko is easier on a long rod too.  But for jerkbaits and topwaters, I have to agree that it's easier to impart action and it's a bit less exhausting using a shorter rod.  I use a 5 1/2' rod for that stuff.

I seem to get better hookups too when fishing plastics where the hook's buried using a long rod because of the leverage.  With a longer rod, I'm able to use a slightly lighter action without having to jerk the hook so hard I break the line.  But I think that has a lot to do with your hookset style. 

I wish I could afford those Kistlers, I hear they are sweet. 

[TritonTR20]

Basic rules of thumb...
The longer the rod the farther you can throw it.
The shorter the rod the more acurate you can throw it.
Fast action tips (top 1/3 of the rod) are better for single hook lures. Medium/slow (half the rod) action tips are better for treble hook lures.

[bigjc]

The Mag TS rods are sweet, and the 6' 6" is a nice all purpose lengh.  My favorite lengh of rod is 6'9" or 6'10" for all purpose use, but if I am fishing deep or caroline rigging, I use 7' or 7'6", I also prefer the 5'6' and 6' for topwater.

JC

[Got Fish??]

Looks like each angler has thier choice To be honnest what ever feels right too you is what you should use. I have know problem using a 5'5 or a7' for what ever I'm going for. I can throw just as far with my short rods as I can with my longer ones. Maybe matching the right reel to the rod? I do have more aim with my shorter rods.It's all about confidence. Forceing your self to fish the way someone else fish. just may be to much to ask of your self. Relaxe enjoy the moment and CATCH FISH

[bigjc]

I agree, I can throw just about as far with my 5'6" Pistol grip as I can with a 7 footer.  Its all about what works for you.

JC

[cr]

I use Kistlers ds6'3 for pitching pontoons and docks , but like the    6'9 s to 7's for just about everything else , mostly for the leverage .   Plus they just "feel" right .