Hi JerryG,

Just thought I would throw my 2 cents into the pot. Well...I am a big fan of the long rod as well, but I think the reasoning behind the short rod use in freshwater is first of all the long stuff doesn't fit in bass boat rod lockers very well...at least before the 20' boat came about. Secondly, I think there was a rod length restriction in tournament bass fishing that said you couldn't use rods over 7'6". That is why you see all flippin sticks made at the maximum 7'6" length. I know that the length was limited because the Godfather of flippin, Dee Thomas, used to use a long surf rod for flippin way back in the brush. Basically he was more dippin than flippin! If I'm not mistaken, the rods he used were like 13' or 15' in length? I don't know? Just some old bass fishing folklore?

Regardless, I'm with you...the longer the better. Give me an 8' or 9' rod anyday! Take care!

Darin