Rod length: Will you get more distance with a longer length rod ?

[Tappit]

Good Morning

I was wondering, How big a role does your height plays to choose the correct length rod for the best casting distance.
Lets take this example: (forget about technique, as you have your own - (correct or not)
1_ You are (lets say) 1,76 m in height
2_ Use the exact same reel on both rods (lets say a Slammer 8000 with 30lbs braid and a 5oz sinker)
3_ You have a Evo Affinity 14ft and a Affinity 1ft = (both are 4 - 6 oz)

Does your height and strength determine your "max" you can get ... or is it more the Rod Length ?

 

[Tappit]

sorted. txs

 

[DJP]

Still a good question and the short answer is the rod length doesn't necessarily increase distance.

In fact a shorter more manageable rod might suit some anglers better and i.e. have them cast further and more accurate. Casting has so many variables and in practical fishing applications the extra length between 13ft6 and 15ft6 is probably more personal preference than anything else.
When I started out competitive freshwater fishing I had 15ft connoflex rods, at 11-12 years old I wasn't strong enough to cast them, my technique was lacking and my bait presentation was awful. But all the big kids and adults were using them so I persisted and probably only after a season I could get cast with them where I needed. I would have been much better off fishing with a 12ft rod, because at my skill level it would have been much easier to handle. Here, the extra length helped boggerall because I couldn't use it.
Similarly when we started targeting sharks everything went bigger, longer and heavier. Guys where fishing Trini and Torium 50's with Purglass 420/7 or 8+1 (basically long broom sticks) casting a 8-10oz sinker and yellow tail / mackerel head. Then along came the Cape Shark Special an 11ft rod built in Namibia by Jeri Dreake. You could basically cast whatever you want with the rod from 5oz and bait up and literally pull as hard as you could... and at 11ft it looked like a spinning stick. Either way, you required enough skill and strength to cast these baits, rod length really didn't make that much of a difference in casting, but pulling a shark with a short rod is way more forgiving.

The advantage of longer rod comes in when wading, you can cast with a longer drop and as such will get a bit more distance given that all other factors are equal. The longer rod also helps when fishing over obstacles, rocks, kelp...and seems to do a bit better in the surf when in a stand as the flex helps absorb the wave action, also why you see some people fish with ridiculously long sand spikes.

 

[dewalds]

DJP is spot on the money...

My advice would be to cast both rods and get a feel for which length you feel comfortable with. One thing I would add is that a shorter rod is often lighter and therefore does not tire you as easily - ultimately it comes down to what you feel most comfortable with!

 

[Tappit]

Thanks DJP and Dewald, I read a lot of articles about this and yes, on what I read, you are spot on. For me, the only advantage is that the rod length helps getting the fish over obstacles. thanks for the article and advice. much appreciated

 

[Marthin]

Balance is key if distance is your main objective... this is reel and rod, sinker weight etc, and then the rod and action itself. I have 2 11 ft rods, nothing expensive, both blue marlins but different models but same cast weights. Both have the same eyes and both are grinder rods. With the same reel the one always outcasts the other on a 4 ounce weight with 40lb braid. However i find i put more power in if I put a 3 ounce weight on the one, and then it goes about the same if not further.

If i do cast heavier baits its almost always on open reels, so generally I am scratching on the grinders. I will however take a 14ft rod if i'm going onto strand reefs purely for the obstacles mentioned above.