I've debated this with others and I believe it all boils down to personal prefference. What do you think?

In regards to fresh water bass fishing I've tried the shorter sticks and Although it's not popular among freshwater bass anglers I have a strong prefference towards fishing longer sticks. Since there's a very limited amount of bait casting blanks designed for freshwater bass which are over 7ft in length I came to the conclusion that I was just was not satisfied with the selection avaible. This season I wrapped an 8ft steelhead/salmon rod for fishing plastics in freshwater. Although the season is just about to begin I'm really happy with it so far and to me it feels much better than my 7ft worming rods.

The benifits are many for starters I can cast farther giving me the range I need to reach a spot or make that long cast to a breaking fish. It also allows me to fish spots with lighter weights or even weightless that would not have been possible with shorter stick with out adding weight. I've noticed that I have more hook set power, and definitely more control over manuevering a hooked fish around rocks or brush. I have a perfect example of this. The other day I a hooked a fish while fishing a small break in the reeds. The fish made a run for it and I was able to stick my rod over and out past the reeds. I position rod directly over the fish keeping the tip out in front of it I was able to steer the fish over to the clearing for a landing and release. I know if I was fishing one of my shorter sticks that fish would have been long gone. I use this rod mostly from shore where I realize that many of the benifits come in to play. It would not make as big of a difference if I was in a boat but I believe that the benifits are still worth while weather it be from shore or boat. I would like to see longer bait casting rods get some recognition from the manufacturers in terms of availability of models designed for freshwater bass fishing .

Some say longer rods are too heavy. In the rods defense I can say that in saltwater there are many days we will throw jigs all day with 9-10' jig sticks. Many of which are glass rods (heavy) with reels (penn 500 series or Newell 300 series) clamped on that tower over any freshwater bait caster. What about those few who really enjoy a work out while they fish. These are the anglers who use Accu's and Progears on 540's or 100J's. Definitely not my first choices but hey to each his own.

I noticed that I get a lot of looks and head shakes from other bass fisherman since I started using my 8' rod but I have found many are just set in their ways. When I say that many are set in their ways I'm referring to myself. I'm used to fishing the longer sticks (it's the saltwater Angler in me) and I don't feel strained from using a longer rod after a full day of bass fishing. If I did it would time to trade in my fishing license in for a gym membership. Some of these guys need to give the longer rods a try before they knock it. They just might find that they have been missing out all these years. The trout fisherman have really begun utilizing longer sticks in recent years with the growing popularity and realized effectivness of the minijigs.

Oh well just some food for thought. Thanks for reading. I know I write some long ones but I do appreciate your comments on the subject even the negative ones. I do believe critizism can lead to enlightenment.

See you on the water!

Good post! I am a long rod fan too. I have 4 8 foot rods that I use in freshwater. Three rainshadows and an 800L. I have been using the rainshadows for c-rig and crankbaits lately as well as for swimbaits. I hate throwing fat free shad and manns 30+ on wimpy crankbait rods. I caught a few last year on fat free shad on the rainshadow and it whips them good. The only drawback is if you are fishing in a kickboat or fishing solo. It can be hard to net your own fish. But if you have a net man (or a net wife!) I think the 8 foot stuff is awesome. The only place I am considering getting some shorter rods is for flipping heavy cover. I do feel like I can get a faster hookset with a shorter rod. It is hard to whip an 8 footer back like a 6'6". I still haven't found any short rods I like for jigs yet, so I'm using my 7'6" Castaway, but at some point I may pick up a 6'6" x-heavy stick.

Oh and PS, in the ocean stick department, I have a 900L, a Sabre 190-9 (which is 9' 4") and a T100J. For private boater fishing they aren't a must, but on party boats, the 9 and 10 footers will get you out there past and over everyone else.

Long rods are great for casting and hook set, but since i'm a shore angler and don't have a boat, those long rods are hard to carry in my small car. Anyone knows the good rod rack that I can put on top of my car? I don't want them up there permanantly so detachable is good. Thanks.

naksiman

where can i find rainshadow rods?

Email me.

Excellent post. Simply put - in some situations, size does matter.

mak

Thought I'd put my 2-cents in.
I just had a Graphite USA 79F wrapped into a flippin stick.
I don't like telescopin rods, but I do like the length.
This rod is 7'9" and is lighter than most 7"6" flip stick.
I had it spiral wrapped w/ alconite Fuji's / short wraps.
Only 1 in. of cork in front of the reel seat.
3 1/2 in. behind the reel seat then bare blank till the 1 inch butt.
I put a Fuji weighted butt cap on for unreal balance.
The reel seat threads were cut alllowing only the reel to fit on.

I flip into some real thick junk were there are some real strong fish, and this rod allows me the lifting power to at least hold the fish in place to go in after it (if not extract it completely).

I really got this rod to cut down on the fatigue of hevier weighing flip sticks, the 3 extra inches gives me even more reach so I'm fully stoked.If you do alot of flippin and pitchin like I do look into those weighted butt caps you won't believe the difference. I also had the reel seat set way back on the rod for even more reach. I fish that new Castaic Super Free, what a set up. Hurt the wallet though.

Peace

E.B.

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