Longer rods make it easier for me to retrieve my hung down spinnerz...

Other than that you make a good point.

False.

Unless you're playing fish more often then you're casting.

Last I checked, longer rods still weigh more than shorter rods.

It might be true to say that longer rods which absorb more stress are more forgiving for novices when playing a fish though.

False. The fulcrum is farther from the center of gravity on a long rod. Plus, long rods are heavier. The result is more fatigue.

They absorb impact better when Mr. Big is putting the moves on you (ie. headshaking) and they are more forgiving for anyone, not just novices.

longer rod makes better hook sets because of the line pick up. they cast lighter lures better. fights fish better

If the rod and reel are weight-matched the fulcrum is very close to the reel. When trying to make long casts the shorter rod will work you more than a longer rod.
The longer rod will will load and release energy more efficiently.
The short rod requires more "arm" to make the long cast.

Since the longer rod weighs more this could be a wash, although in my experience the longer rod wins.
This is 7'-9" vs. 9'-6".

I think that they do. Monofilament absorbs shock and a long rod is just an extension or supplement to that.


Well yeah, if you're talkin' a noodle rod with super-light line.


They actually are....bankies have been using surf rods since forever for the beasts.
From the boat with with 2# - 3# cannonballs, yes, it's easier to build a short blank for that task.

The fulcrum is the pivot point where you hold the reel. It doesn't change with the size of the reel. The center of gravity does change, but that only changes significantly if you old the rod in front of the reel, as on a fly rod. (ie adding weight with a heavier reel to counterweight the rod only works with fly rods)

I'm talking river coho from a BOAT here, not nursing mealy-mouthed humpies, dogging bull dog chum, coaxing sulking kings or running down riffle-running jehosaphat-jumping steelhead from shore. The only moves coho are making that I'm concerned about from the boat are them getting into cover and doing their death twirl at the net. Other than that, no quarter and nothing a good "billy bass" hookset on 15-20# test leader, butt muscle and a good drag won't fix. Milking coho creates more opportunity for them to get off than an unforgiving rod ever has IME.



I like fighting fish with a longer rod too, but a longer softer rod does NOT necessarily give better hook sets than a bass rod, IMO. A rod's speed (action) in combination with length makes the hook setting difference, not length alone. Most bass rods are a whole lot faster than most of the long steelhead rods being used out there.

Call it balance point, if it's close to the reel, it's a good thing.
I'm thinking in terms of baitcaster.

Agree, a "tip-heavy" rig is a turd and a extremely taxing when repetitive casting is the order of the day.
9'-6" is about max for me, maybe someday I'll find a 10' or 10'-6" that doesn't feel tip-heavy.

I think I've only caught about 3 coho in my life, my reference point is steelhead.

I gotta go with the short fast BPS rod crowd on this....when I've fished for silvers, steel, whatever with spinning tackle and jigs, spinners or thin-blade spoons from a boat in a river, the shorter rod helped me detect the strikes better, slam the point home faster and land the fish just as quick. That is some fun schitt.......I like a TFO 8-17 lb, 7 foot 3 pc rod, 30 lb braid and 15 lb fluoro leader for this application........

For the short rod fans, these just became available today.
http://www.tforods.com/garys-tactical-series.html

Agree 100%. I have yet to find a rod over 9' that doesn't feel tip-heavy.

NorCal...Check out the new Lamiglas Mag taper XMG EXC 94 MT, it's 9'4" rated 8-17...such a great rod I got two.

You can counter balance a tip-heavy feel of a longer rod by adding weight to the butt.

True but then the whole setup becomes heavier. Wish rod manufacturers would move their reel seats accordingly so the rod balances with today's light weight reels.

If you're of the spinning persuasion, the Fuji CAM lock is a great product to allow the user to locate the reel anywhere along the handle.
It's the updated version of the simple ring.
I have a custom spinning rig w/CAM locks that is built on an original USA Fenwick HMG 9' - 8 wt.
Sweet stick that bends to your hand and can protect 6# test.
(graphite tubular handle)

For baitcasters (me) it's a custom build or shear luck with a factory.

Scroll to CAM lock:
http://www.fujitackle.com.au/fujireel.htm

I just picked up a Cabelas "Fish Eagle" casting 8 - 15#, 10 '...... $59.00...sale priced but sale is now off. It'll work for me!!!!!!

That's one of the best deals out there, and it happens every year...heck, buy it online during the deal and they send it to you in a locking rod tube that's worth more than half the price of the rod!

Fish on...

Todd