Rod Length vs. Your height? 2025
Bassfisherman94 reply :
How does your height and rod length put a factor in ur fishing? I'm looking at buying a Flipping stick and I'm trying to figure out the right rod length.
central.PA.bass reply :
I dont think it really matters..
L a r r y reply :
I'm barely 5'9" and I use rods in the 7' range. It doesn't matter, you will get used to a long rod in about 10-15 minutes
Fish more.....stress less
Carrington reply :
im 5'8" and have a 7'11" rod, height doesnt matter for rods.
Fat-G reply :
I think it does. I'm 6'2 and will probably never own a rod under 7' again, unless it's a crappie rod. I prefer 7'+, and am considering moving to 7'2+.
uicdent11 reply :
I don't think it matters either. Fish with a rod you feel the most comfortable fishing. Things to take into consideration are handle style, handle length, reel seat, taper of blank, and length of rod. No one is more important than the other.
I will say that a 7ft. rod in my hands (6'4) probably feels more like a 6'8 rod in someone around the average height. I fish 6'6-7'6 rods and each has their place. I've even tossed around the idea of getting a 6'3 rod.
Hammer 4 reply :
6'1", all of my rods are at least 7', I do have a 6'6" mf spinning rod that I have only as a stand by.
I prefer a 7'6" flippin stick, I have used my light swimbait rig which is 8' for heavy flippin, and liked it allot.. 8-)
baluga reply :
fishing rods are not like golf club that has to match the user's height. Rod length are determine by the type of lure presentation you are using. For topwater walk the dog the ideal rod length is short around 6'3" - 6'6", using longer rod will create more fatigue in the wrist.
Casting swimbait, many would favor longer rods like 7' - 8'. Longer rods will help you toss it out there.
jmho..
i doubt if someone would use a 6' rod for ice fishing hole just because he's 7 footer.. 
Fishohio reply :
It's personal preferance. I'm 6'3 and I pitch with a 6'11.
My finesse rod is 6'7 and is my favorite stick!!
Senkoman12 reply :
if you pitch a lot you wnat a shorter rod. if you are tall, than you want a longer rod. if you are short than you want a shorter rod. im on the shorter side at 5' 7". i cant pitch with anything over 7' because i dont have the height
deep reply :
Don't pitch a lot. But I'm 5'7" and all my rods except my UL is 7' or longer, the longest being a 7'11".
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
A taller person can comfortably fish a longer rod in tip-down presentations like jerk-baits and top waters and maybe pitching. Beyond that, it's personal preference with longer generally providing longer casts and shorter being more accurate.
J Francho reply :
Quoteif you pitch a lot you wnat a shorter rod. if you are tall, than you want a longer rod. if you are short than you want a shorter rod. im on the shorter side at 5' 7". i cant pitch with anything over 7' because i dont have the height
Huh? I pitch with an 8 footer, and I'm 5'7". What would height have to do with it, please explain.
senile1 reply :
QuoteQuoteif you pitch a lot you wnat a shorter rod. if you are tall, than you want a longer rod. if you are short than you want a shorter rod. im on the shorter side at 5' 7". i cant pitch with anything over 7' because i dont have the heightHuh? I pitch with an 8 footer, and I'm 5'7". What would height have to do with it, please explain.
I think it depends on how you pitch and what type of boat your are pitching from. If one pitches from a jon boat a shorter person might have issues with hitting the side of the boat with the rod when they dip the tip to make the pitch. I have ran into this but I have always been able to adjust my pitching technique and my position in the boat to work around it. I'm 5'11" but I use a friend's jon boat with really high gunwales at his pond.
J Francho reply :
Seems like a longer rod would help you in a boat with high gunwales. Too high though, and a roll cast would be better - so you'd want a shorter rod.
senile1 reply :
QuoteSeems like a longer rod would help you in a boat with high gunwales. Too high though, and a roll cast would be better - so you'd want a shorter rod.
Actually, I didn't describe that properly. When using the standard pitching technique one holds the lure in one hand while pitching with the other. With a longer rod there is more line beyond the tip of the rod which can result in the lure hitting the side of the boat, not the rod. With a shorter rod there is less line out and it won't hang as far down when the lure is released from the hand. This is easily resolved by standing closer to the side of the boat or by using a roll cast as John suggested.
J Francho reply :
Actually the more I think about it, the geometry is the same, regardless of rod length. If the gunwales are too high, they're too high.
Raul reply :
I still don 't get it, I 'm slighty taller than Francho don 't see it much difference of what he 's saying, I pitch from a jonboat and my rods are longer than I am tall. The reason why I don 't purchase 7 ' rods has more to do with the possibilty of hanging up my compadre than with a theoretical rod length vs angler height ratio.
fishinfewl reply :
It's whatever you're comfortable with. I like all my rods to be 6'8'' to 7'. Nothing longer, nothing shorter.
Senkoman12 reply :
QuoteQuoteif you pitch a lot you wnat a shorter rod. if you are tall, than you want a longer rod. if you are short than you want a shorter rod. im on the shorter side at 5' 7". i cant pitch with anything over 7' because i dont have the heightHuh? I pitch with an 8 footer, and I'm 5'7". What would height have to do with it, please explain.
the problem i get with longer rods is i cant get the clearance to get a long pitch. the lure hits the water short of my target. think of it this way. a longer rod has more line out. if you have more line out you need more clearance. whatever floats your boat. if long rods work for you than go for it 8-)
Punkinseedfyretailz reply :
your height doesnt matter but rod length does. you're not getting the same casting distance or sensitivity out of a 6ft rod as you will a 7ft rod. go with at least a 6'6 or 7ft everytime you go out.
Jaheff reply :
I think it makes a difference in Butt length. I hate when the end of the butt gets in the way on my longer rods. I cut 3 inches off one of my 8 footers. Question is am I missing out on anything now that I did this? ( guess i should of asked before i did it).
Hot Rod reply :
QuoteA taller person can comfortably fish a longer rod in tip-down presentations like jerk-baits and top waters and maybe pitching. Beyond that, it's personal preference with longer generally providing longer casts and shorter being more accurate.
X2
I like a 6'6" or a 6'8" for top water baits and jerkbaits or for "skipping" baits under branches/docks because it works best for me with my height and the height of my boat's deck from the water.
A light 6' rod is also good for roll casting in close quarters where accuracy not distance is important, For example if are in standing timber and there are a lot of branches in the way of your casting motion.
Otherwise I like a 7 to 7.5' rod for pitchin',flipin, casting. I'd go 8' but my rod lockers wouldn't.
islandbass reply :
Quoteif you pitch a lot you wnat a shorter rod. if you are tall, than you want a longer rod. if you are short than you want a shorter rod. im on the shorter side at 5' 7". i cant pitch with anything over 7' because i dont have the height
Technique easily resolves this. I am definitely shorter than you at 5'5" and when river fishing (which means fishing for salmonids), I pitch with an 8'6" rod when necessary. Also, done from the shore and not from a boat and no problems or issues. You can tell the non-bass anglers as they get their stuff tangled up in the bushes with overhead and sidearm casts. Then they see lil' ol' me underhand casting nonchalantly. The looks on their faces are like, "Dude, how'd you do that?" ;D
The Rooster reply :
I use 6', 6'6", and am just starting to get into 7' but they depend on whether or not they are comfortable to me. I could completely care less about technique or casting distance. Accuracy however, I do care about and I can hit pretty well with a 6' or 6'6" so I stick with them. Mostly I just fish what feels comfortable to me and that's it.
bitsandbass reply :
What about for kids? My boys is 5, average height I guess (which I looked up, ~42 inches). I assume rod length matters more for kids no?
He was practice casting a 6' rod (I think) in the back yard and it seemed a little big. Perhaps a 5' rod would be better but I dont want him to outgrow his rod next year!
What rod length would you get for a little guy? Thanks.
WRB reply :
This thread was dug out of the archives of 2011.
We have a few current threads on rods/reels for kids and 5 year olds, take a look at those.
5' tall 5 year old is a tall kid! His strength, hand eye cordination etc determines on how fast he will develop casting skills. The fishing outfit needs to be comfortable, balanced and easy to cast.
Tom
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