Shore based spinning - rod length vs ease of use

[Seaman]

I am hoping to get a few educated opinions on rod length - or build - for use when shore-spinning. Moving from predominantly drop-shot to spinning with spoons and plugs I have realized that although the tackle may be marketed as interchangeable there are some significant differences. I am also kind of bemused that when I line up my top-of-the-range dropshot rod (11ft xh kob special) with my old spinning outfit (9ft exceller)they basically throw a 1.5-2oz plug the same distance.
A lot of the advise on spinning starts with 11ft rods. Is there that much advantage in the extra length?
What about the weight and fatigue over a 2 hour session?
I tend to take 2 rods when I go spinning and I end up using the short (light) one almost always. It's easier to cast accurately, has a better lure action and I can do it all day without my arms falling off.
The problem is that it is lighter tackle so you can find yourself undergunned when the boss comes calling.
Having experienced this I am looking to upgrade but in the 9ft range. There's not a lot available in this segment but I'm quite happy to build my own if I can find a suitable blank. Thing is the costs are pretty scary and I'd like to hear that what I'm planning is practical or not.

 

[Limpopoking]

If a build is an option, then have a look at the Black Hole Suzuki Special 9'6. Jigstar was selling the blanks. Then get your favourite builder to put some decent guides on it. It's an absolute beaut. Mark Norval built the one that I have.

https://www.jigstarafrica.co.za/index.php/en/component/virtuemart/rods/popping/poppingrodblanks/black-hole-suzuki-special-9-6-surf-blank-detail?Itemid=0

Alternatively, the Berkley Air, Major Craft N-One, Triple cross or Crosstage series... They are all super light weight with great backbone for when "the boss comes calling". All the above are good with a 5k (Shimi size)

I also have a Turbulance 11' Shoregame and it's a fantastic rod. Enigma built mine. I pair it with a Gosa 6k. I get good distance with this setup.

 

[Dr halibut hoffman]

My magic spinning length for the shore game is 10', light and heavy..But I mostly fish rocks, for the boat I the same gear, from the boat sometimes for small 2-5kg leeries a sensation tiger tamer with 3000 spinner.

0.55 or there abouts in high abrasion mono and with winch for the heavy stuff and 1 and 1.2mm mono leader. 20lb or so HMP for the light stuff on a 5000 stradic and .6 to .7mm mono leader. I have long arms and skinny frame so a shorter rod suits me in casting and fish fighting. A short stocky torquey guy might suit a longer rod? If I fished surf exclusively I'd spin with a 11ft for sure.

Both outfits cast their respective cast weights about the same distance. The light throwing 1-2oz mainly 1.5 and the heavy one 2-3 oz and sometimes a 4 in windy conditions..Heavy stick a composite blue marlin custom, 2 parts of a three part 30/50/430 grinder blank, built for a winch but the parabolic action of the last two parts of the composite grinder blank makes for a really smooth cast (can't tell how much of a pleasure it is to cast this rod all day) and makes the rod fight like a short stick with all the power in the backbone for big fish..I've caught numerous seriolas in the 20-30lb range from the side with it. Rod made into a superslim 30/50 270 3-4 oz 2 piece by Theo @ TJ's in Jbay. Best heavy spinning stick I have used by far. Nothing fancy but made to do the job it does from the ground up, everything was Theo's choice and he had free reign to build it, from blank to fuji components. Was not too expensive, just over 2k, prices would have gone up by double now though..that was over 3 years ago.

My light is an exceller 9'6" xxxh made into a 10' by theo, eyes have been redone twice..Love that rod. Can't fault it for its application and it is still my go to light stick. I have a 10ft loomis as backup that is also a pleasure to fish, but the exceller is my baby. I've had that rod for many years and its caught so much and so many things. From even a large cob bottom fishing, to small tunas on the spoon..small tail, hundreds of leeries and katonkel..Hundreds of shad..Few bek in between LOL..Gallies..It is the same one in my profile pic from years back, still going strong.
For heavy gear I also have both spinning and winch, 11ft exages but they dont really get used..10ft mono gear gets the use unless I am fishing bait or live bait on some cliffs for heavy fish like cracker or gulley sharks then I like the exage, or the grinder setup is really just a loan setup for mates when they come fish with..I dont really fish the heavy braid anymore unless its a popping rod for tuna.

 

[willem wikkel spies]

I would also advise a 10 ft rod.
11ft is just too long at times and 9ft just to short.

and then again, at times you fall short with distance wise on a 9ft and 11 ft gets you there.

it all depends on your target specie.

shad eat close by, but incoming tides one has to cast a bit further

my 9,6 exceller is great.....but does fall short at times

 

[Seaman]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Its given me a bit to think about and assess my priorities.

I was hesitant about the Suzuki blanks because I hadn't heard anything about them in use locally.
It's tricky trying to assess what is actually available with what is physically available to get the 'feel' of. The only suitable rods I have found that had the right feel to them were a Shimano sustain ax 9'xh and a shimano blue romance which felt too light but may have been a hasty call.

I have heard good reviews on the Major Craft rods, but couldn't find them until you posted the link in the other thread. I couldn't figure out if the prices were as shown but some of the translations are hilarious. How did you find total cost compared to the tabled prices?

I am sort of leaning towards a complete rod rather than a build simply from a convenience point of view. There was also once a time when it cost less to build your own....
I'm also going to be busy rebuilding my heavy multiplier rod as Dr Halibut Hoffman recommends. Having read a couple of your guys YT threads that was probably inevitable.
I was using a Shimano calcutta 10000 but I'm not too sure that the levelwind will enjoy plugging.
The other option is a Daiwa sl20 which will probably be used. Is magging better done by someone who knows how or does the diy version actually work?

it all depends on your target specie.

I think it's as Willem says. I had a mishap with my light set-up and used my 10'6" backup. I definitely caught less fish for what felt like a lot more work, but it was average size shad. Targeting leeries and YT looks like taking a bit more effort.

 

[Limpopoking]

Seaman wrote:

II couldn't figure out if the prices were as shown but some of the translations are hilarious. How did you find total cost compared to the tabled prices?

I have only bought through Shimreels on eBay who quote you delivered price. Their stuff comes in with Fedex, super fast and very efficient. My eBay quotes me in ZAR and I add a bit on for the credit card company (about 2% or so)... Then you will pay a documentation fee and VAT with Fedex. The doc fee was usually about R100.

See also, my post on Leerie's 7' spinning setup advice.

And yeah... the translations can be quite a giggle.