When did fishing rods start getting so Iong? I've been seeing many old fishing rods that are below 6 feet, with short stubby grips on them. Now a majority of rods I see are above six...

FS Digest

I've been seeing many old fishing rods that are below 6 feet, with short stubby grips on them. Now a majority of rods I see are above six feet, normally in my area (east Sac, Ca) they're within the 7 foot range. What happened? I know trends and everything dictate that stuff sometimes but they've been long growing up and they've stayed long.

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by jiey_beddit

Sinker Rig Loc: Tampa area

Because we demanded they be longer. I have two 9 footers and four 8 footers. Custom rod builders started it and the manufacturers followed

Pixiedog456005 Loc: Maryland

The change over from all steel rods to glass rods brought about longer casting while drop lines faded out for general fishing.

DozerDave Loc: Port Orchard Wa.

Sensitivity…🐟on

Chuck56 Loc: Texas

FS Digest wrote:

I've been seeing many old fishing rods that are below 6 feet, with short stubby grips on them. Now a majority of rods I see are above six feet, normally in my area (east Sac, Ca) they're within the 7 foot range. What happened? I know trends and everything dictate that stuff sometimes but they've been long growing up and they've stayed long.

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by jiey_beddit

The old rods were a joke. Not very sensitive, couldnt cast lures very far. So with newer materials being used, fishing rods evolved, just like the reeels.

Jeff k Loc: Reading,Pa.

The simple truth engineering and materials made it to the fishing industriy. I’m guilty,just bought a G Loomis 831s NRR 6’ 11” medium light extra fast tip for Ned rigs expensive but I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another one.cast far and accurate with the flip of your wrist.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Alot more people have boats now making it easier to use long rods. As for casting n sensitivity most of that was due to the reels n the line. The 7' Berkeley rod I found is 2pc fiberglass 70's era. With modern reel n new line it will cast with the best of then. I have rods up to 9'. Mostly use 6'8" to 7'6". 👍👍

harleypiker Loc: WA

Grizzly 17 wrote:

Alot more people have boats now making it easier to use long rods. As for casting n sensitivity most of that was due to the reels n the line. The 7' Berkeley rod I found is 2pc fiberglass 70's era. With modern reel n new line it will cast with the best of then. I have rods up to 9'. Mostly use 6'8" to 7'6". 👍👍

Long rods enable you to (1) longer arc provides cast further and hookset better (2)better move the lure up or around obstructions/weeds (3) wider separation trolling (4) wider sweeps changing hook direction on retrieve (5) better and easier wider and deeper figure 8s at boatside (6)deep diving lures can be brought up over shallow sections and then drop the tip to the water to go deep again (7) Did I miss any? Just be sure to buy 2 piece poles. Packing around a
9 foot pole is the pits.

Captain Lahti Loc: Kennewick, WA

Of course you all are talking about casting rods but historically when cane or bamboo were the materials available, rods were quit long. Hey were for fishing a fly for most anything from carp to trout to salmon and length was often dictated by the size of the water/river. And length could be adjusted by adding butt sections at tapper cut joints. They were even used for plugs and bait. They are still being used as Tenkara rods where the line is just attached to the tip, a technique popular in Japan for likely thousands of years and European and Colonial countries certainly for Centuries. . 14’ is not uncommon.