Rod Length

The third thing to consider when selecting a fishing rod is length.  

 

Selecting a good rod length is part science, part art, and part personal preference. Some anglers will swear by specific rod lengths for specific fish species, and there are certainly benefits to using specific rod lengths for specific fishing techniques and conditions, but at the end of the day it really comes down to what you prefer and a applying a little common sense.

 

Fishing with a longer rod is beneficial—almost necessary—for distance casting from the shore when you need to get your presentation out beyond the surf. A typical surf casting rod is going to be in the 10′-12′ range. One of the most popular rod lengths for bass fishing is 6’6″ to 7′ and shorter rods under 6’6″ are perfect trout, panfish and beginners.

 

When selecting rod length you also need to consider a few other factors. If you’re a bit on the short side, trying to cast and retrieve with a long rod can get a bit unwieldy. If you know you’re going to be doing a lot of fishing in the thicket where space is limited, a shorter rod is going to be a lot easier to cast without snagging on branches. Find a reasonable rod length for the type of fishing you plan on doing, then adjust the length up or down accordingly.