The Birth Of 10-Foot Bass Rods... 2024
fishballer06 reply :
Well, this should certainly shake things up a bit in the bass fishing world. BASS is allowing competitors to use rods in length of up to 10 feet next year. The rule has been 8 feet maximum since 1976. What are everyone's thoughts on this?
http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_123/bass-rod-length-92616.html
Penguino reply :
All i gotta say is that it sure as hell will be fun to watch
Jeff H reply :
I don't mind, will be interesting to see how they work with it.
00 mod reply :
This is just so rod manufacturers can make more money. Seriously, these pros represent rod companies, and they know that if they are allowed to use longer rods, then everyone else will want longer rods and that means higher sales for the rod companies!
Jeff
S. Sass reply :
On 9/27/2016 at 5:58 AM, 00 mod said:This is just so rod manufacturers can make more money.
Exactly all about that $
MassYak85 reply :
I guess the extra length would be nice for casting distance but storage is gonna be a major pain....that creates a new market for guys to "need" to start buying boats with 10' rod lockers though.
OCdockskipper reply :
I would hazard a guess that the longer a rod is, the better chance it has being inadvertently damaged or broken. Car doors, ceiling fans, doorways will all be drooling at a chance to munch on a 10 ft rod.
I don't fish tournaments and fish from a small boat, so I have actually been going to shorter rods while so many others go long. I get it for flippin but for most other methods, a longer rod is more difficult to use and less accurate for casting.
Goose52 reply :
Hmmmm - there could be times when a 9 to 9 1/2 foot, 8 or 9 weight fly rod might be a nifty tool to have in the arsenal...
EDIT: just read the linked article...looks like the rule might still limit the type of rods that may be used to "casting, spin-casting, or spinning".....
S. Sass reply :
I have a 7'11" Flippin rod and yeah its a pita in the house. Its great when on the boat or out on a bank but dang a 2 ft longer rod would most likely get damaged around here. Great point OCdockskipper
Goose52 reply :
On rod length vs. handling issues and potential damage...I have a feeling that many of these >8' rods will end up being two-piece.
KDW96 reply :
I have a real nice shimano spinning rod, and a shimano 4000 reel. It 10ft long 2pc. You sure can cover some yardage with it. An excellent rod really,especially when im shiner fishin in florida. 
adrenalizd reply :
With ten foot you don't have to cast, just drop the jig in the water.
webertime reply :
Float and Fly with a frog on a drop shot. Got the whole water column covered with one 9' spinning rod.
00 mod reply :
On 9/27/2016 at 7:17 AM, Goose52 said:On rod length vs. handling issues and potential damage...I have a feeling that many of these >8' rods will end up being two-piece.
Either 2 piece, or telescopic
Jeff
craww reply :
I'm all for it. I have used a 9' saltwater rod for bombing trap baits for years (ask me how to spool a curado 
). One of those rules I never understood anyway. Will be interesting to see how they implement. Perhaps reach normally hard to reach fish. Would be cool to get surgical and reach into a laydown or dock with a 10' broomstick.
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
There is nothing that keeps me from getting a longer rod now if I want one. Just cause pros cant use them doesnt mean I cant. Ive thrown senkos lipless cranks on 9'-10' rods already. People that limit their use to what pros use are just being lemmings. The fish though might like the little extra leverage advantage they will be getting.
Further North reply :
Couple of thoughts...I have a few rods that are >8 ft. now:
- 9 ft. heavy musky rod. Nuff said.
- 9 ft. heavy, med. action. It'll put a 1 ounce spoon, spinner, or whatever in Paris from Chippewa Falls WI. There is an advantage here...Accuracy, however, it not its strong suit.
- 8' 6" medium light spinning. It'll chuck a floating crank bait or a light jig a looong way. Again, accuracy suffers a bit...but when when you can present from that far away...does it matter?
Add in a buncha (you don't really want to know how many) fly rods...which really do give me the ability to show bass stuff things other guys are not showing them...and a 9 ft. rod on my boat is nothing new.
Bankbeater reply :
You would not be able to use a 10' rod from the bank in some of the places I fish. Too many bushes and trees.
Bluebasser86 reply :
Perfect! Soon I'll be able to use my 12' surf rod to reach those pesky schoolers that want to keep coming up on the opposite side of the cove every time!
I don't own a 10' bass rod and can't think of a reason why I would, but I don't care either way as far as them being allowed in the Elites.
fishballer06 reply :
I've been trying to think when and where a 9-10 foot rod would be practical. I can imagine for pitching and flipping it would be nice. You could basically just drop a bait in there. It might also be nice around docks because you could quickly pull the fish away from the dock. Other than that, it would be beneficial for throwing some of those huge swimbaits that are on the market and that are coming in over the 5-6oz. mark. Similar to what the musky guys use.
One point I brought up to my buddy whenever we saw this last night was "What boat out there will hold a 10 foot rod"? I'd imagine these long sticks will be left on the decks all day.
Another concern to thing about is can you imagine trying to boat flip a fish with a rod that long. You'll be on the front deck and flipping the fish onto the back deck.
Team9nine reply :
That's fine, bring on the longer rods again. As long as they keep that Alabama Rig banned the bassin' world will be fine. Actually, now that the Elites no longer have co-anglers to deal with and only marshals in the boat with them, they should also reconsider allowing trolling 
-T9
J Francho reply :
Oh boy, that trolling topic is a good one. I used to catch a TON of smallmouth trolling. It was the primary tool with nothing more than a flasher, and the giant desert that is Lake Ontario. Find some reasonable breaks, catch three or so in the same spot, and anchor up, start dropping tubes.
Oh yeah, the 10' rod thing.... bring it on. Dee just raised a fist through into the air from the grave! Jigger poling!
j bab reply :
Seems to me like most people don't want to go much over 7 foot, I can't imagine your average joe buying a rod over 8 feet long (regarding the rod companies). Sure some pros will probably come up with some reason you'd want a rod that long (maybe KVD will put out a 8.5' deep crankin rod 
) but I don't see it taking over the market by any means.
Maybe they'll make 10' doodlesockin bass rods to get to that inside edge of grass too
edit: also, in response to "10' would get damaged," these are pros we're talking about (we have always been able to use whatever rod we want as we are not B.A.S.S. pros), rod damage is not an issue
J Francho reply :
Float n' Fly
9' Fly rods (mayfly hatches have happened during tournaments)
Swimbaits
Cranking sticks
Jigger poles
Punching/flipping sticks
Big Bait Fishing reply :
for swimbait rods , 8'6'' is the minimum , i use a 9' rod and there are lots that use them as quite a few people build of the Phenix 909XH , mine is built off a St. Croix . 8' rods are good for smaller baits , but for big baits you want a longer handle , put a 18'' handle on a 8' rod and you only have 6 1/2' of rod in front of you , not the best situation for slinging big heavy baits and wanting to do it all day .
ec1 reply :
After catching my first salmon on the great lakes this year, I think that the 9.5' or 10' rods could do a lot of damage for cranking. Those extra long rods definitely get baits way further than anything else and it also opens the door up for people wanting to crank with spinning rods. Of course, this is lake and pattern dependent.
Good thing I have no interest in a longer flipping rod. My elbow was not happy when I owned a 7'9 punching stick.
Sight fishing bed fish could also be very interesting now.
Turkey sandwich reply :
There's definitely a money making side to this, and despite the added inconvenience of storage/damaging the rods, I can definitely see advantages in chucking lures a hell of a lot farther. I can't imagine they changed the legality of fly rods or trolling on the Elites, though. Trolling would change tournaments tremendously, and while opening up the Elites to fly anglers would be interesting, I just don't see B.A.S.S. pushing for guys to be waving around the whippy stick.
J Francho reply :
I have a three piece, 15' float rod, and the whole "ferrules make a rod less sensitive" is bologna. I can feel that egg sag grace every rock, ledge, log, root, and odd weed as it drifts weightlessly in the current - and I'm using regular old mono! There will certainly be two piece rods before there are 10' rod lockers.
OCdockskipper reply :
On 9/28/2016 at 2:53 AM, Turkey sandwich said:...while opening up the Elites to fly anglers would be interesting, I just don't see B.A.S.S. pushing for guys to be waving around the whippy stick.
I believe B.A.S.S. had a tournament in the 70's that either included or was exclusively flyfishing, but I couldn't find any history of it via google.
J Francho reply :
On 9/28/2016 at 3:29 AM, OCdockskipper said:I believe B.A.S.S. had a tournament in the 70's that either included or was exclusively flyfishing
They did.
I know quite a few kayak bassers that catch pigs on the fly. Generally, they're using at least an 8 wt (not a buggy whip!) fast taper rod to put a big popper frog right in the same spot in a field of slop or pads. Drop it on the spot, twitch it, false cast, drop it back. There's no other way as efficient. A conventional casting rig has to be reeled in, bait cleaned off, re-cast past the spot, and reeled into the target area, rinse, repeat.
Turkey sandwich reply :
On 9/28/2016 at 3:36 AM, J Francho said:They did.
I know quite a few kayak bassers that catch pigs on the fly. Generally, they're using at least an 8 wt (not a buggy whip!) fast taper rod to put a big popper frog right in the same spot in a field of slop or pads. Drop it on the spot, twitch it, false cast, drop it back. There's no other way as efficient. A conventional casting rig has to be reeled in, bait cleaned off, re-cast past the spot, and reeled into the target area, rinse, repeat.
Even with my 8wt, I see myself cursing A LOT trying to do this.
J Francho reply :
I've seen it with my own eyes. These are good sticks with the fly rod though. They will out fish you in the slop, lol.
I don't care though, I'd rather punch it. More fun to me.
Turkey sandwich reply :
On 9/28/2016 at 3:41 AM, J Francho said:I've seen it with my own eyes. These are good sticks with the fly rod though. They will out fish you in the slop, lol.
I don't care though, I'd rather punch it. More fun to me.
Punching is a lot of fun, but I would love to have that kind of confidence growing big flies. Big flies hate me. (Read: I suck at casting big poppers and giant streamers)
Team9nine reply :
On 9/28/2016 at 3:29 AM, OCdockskipper said:I believe B.A.S.S. had a tournament in the 70's that either included or was exclusively flyfishing, but I couldn't find any history of it via google.
In the March/April 1975 issue of Bassmaster Magazine, Ray Scott, in his Scott on the Line editorial, introduced the concept of fly-fishing tournaments into the fold of the Bassmaster Trail.
“You can count on a one-day ‘Flyrod Only Tournament’ before the regular pro national tournaments in April, May and June. This maybe the most fun we’ve ever had at a BASS tournament. We expect most of the BASS pros to give it a whirl, we’ll probably see a few previously timid flyrod ‘experts’ jump in the contest since we’ll be using weapons of their liking.”
The 1975 season added a new concept in bass tournament fishing – a one-day fly rod tournament that anglers could choose to participate in or not. The advantage that the fly rod event gave was an extra day of practice and also much needed points towards Classic qualification. Because of this, most anglers grudgingly fished the fly rod events. For the 1976 season, though, the fly rod competition was discontinued, probably due to complaints from the anglers.
On the Fly Rod Front
Bull Shoals also marked the first fly rod-only event of the season. The tournament was held the day prior to the regular tournament with 63 anglers participating. Eleven fish were caught and weighed with Ricky Green taking the top honors with two fish that totaled 3-04. His fish netted him an extra $1,400 dollars. Ron Deardoff and Austin James each took big fish honors with single fish weighing in at 3-03 along with second and third place honors.
Russell Breckenridge (brother of Rayo) collected a fourth-place check of $300 with one fish that went 2-05, while Roger Moore held on to the fifth spot with one fish that weighed in at 2-04. Other anglers who caught fish were Bill Dance, Billy Westmorland, Rick Clunn, Jim Nolen and Walt Sawicki. In all the 63 anglers caught 11 bass.
Kerr Fly-Rod Only Tournament
For the second straight event, B.A.S.S. hosted a fly-rod only tournament the day prior to the main event. This time Jon Hall took the winning honors, besting 65 other anglers, with five fish that weighed 11 pounds. He caught his fish on a 4-inch blue Mann’s Jelly Worm. Dick Busby placed second with two fish for 8-02. He too didn’t conform to traditional fly rod baits, catching his fish on 1/4-ounce spinnerbaits in the trees.
Although Don Shealy didn’t finish too well in the main event, he did bring in two fish for 6-07 and 3rd place. He was the only angler to utilize conventional fly gear, catching his fish on popping bugs. Ricky Green (5-03) and Tom Mann (5-00) placed 4th and 5th respectively.
Santee-Cooper Fly Rod Only Event
Although Don Shealy stunk it up pretty bad in the main event at Kerr, he came back at the fly rod only event held at Santee-Cooper. Shealy weighed an impressive 10-fish limit that went 17-10 and also created a new fly-rod only tournament record. He caught his fish His fish came on a combination of popping bugs and plastic worms.
Bo Dowden finished in 2nd place with 12-14 and Johnny Morris weighed in 12-03 for 3rd place. Jon Hall, who won the Kerr fly rod event, placed 4th with 9-04 and Bill Dance placed 5th with 8-05.
Source:
Bass Fishing Archives Part 1
Bass Fishing Archives Part 2
bigfruits reply :
On 9/27/2016 at 8:27 AM, adrenalizd said:With ten foot you don't have to cast, just drop the jig in the water.
dont need a reel either.
Turkey sandwich reply :
I had no idea this was done. I would love to see some for, of this happen again - with legit fly anglers.
blckshirt98 reply :
I fish with a couple of 8'6" and 9' salmon/steelhead rods mainly for the surf, and the extra length definitely comes in handy. Not sure what the new "bass specific" long rods will have that current salmon/steelhead models don't already have but I'm sure there's going to be plenty of people opening up their wallet for a shiny new rod. Punching/flipping? I also bet they go two piece with an offset ferrule point closer to the handle (like the St. Croix Mojo Surf or Shimano Expride) so that you have an 8 foot blank with a 2 foot base/handle it attaches to.
adrenalizd reply :
On 9/28/2016 at 4:12 AM, bigfruits said:dont need a reel either.
Lol, you are right! Cane poles in a bass tournament!
Robert Riley reply :
I didn't even know this limit existed, makes sense as to why there aren't many rods over 8'. I have a muskie rod that is 9' and a cranking rod that is 8', my buddy has a custom rod that's 10.5'.
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
On 9/28/2016 at 5:29 AM, blckshirt98 said:I fish with a couple of 8'6" and 9' salmon/steelhead rods mainly for the surf, and the extra length definitely comes in handy. Not sure what the new "bass specific" long rods will have that current salmon/steelhead models don't already have but I'm sure there's going to be plenty of people opening up their wallet for a shiny new rod. Punching/flipping? I also bet they go two piece with an offset ferrule point closer to the handle (like the St. Croix Mojo Surf or Shimano Expride) so that you have an 8 foot blank with a 2 foot base/handle it attaches to.
probably just change the sticker and charge $20 more for same rod.
WRB reply :
The 8' rod length limit was established to stop the use of 12' flipping rods from use in B.A.S.S. sanctioned tournaments back when Dee Thomas first fished B.A.S.S. events with 12'-14' rods. Dee's first 8' a Fenwick flipping rod had a telescoping handle so the long rod fit bass boat rod lockers.
Going from 8' to 10' is a surprise! The flipping, big deep crankbaits and swimbaits will benefit from longer rods and they will become popular.
Tom
hawgenvy reply :
Question: How long are the longest commercially available fishing poles?
Answer: 70 FEET (21 meters) (they are telescopic)
(http://www.allfishingbuy.com/Fishing-Pole/Pole-A1-JDS-152-HI-21016.htm
WRB reply :
Both Loomis bounce back and Lamiglas X11 make salmon rods in 9' to 10' lengths that work for bass fishing.
Tom
everythingthatswims reply :
I can't wait to watch someone try to boat flip a fish on a 9'8" rod without enough line out
Robert Riley reply :
On 9/28/2016 at 11:46 AM, hawgenvy said:Question: How long are the longest commercially available fishing poles?
Answer: 70 FEET (21 meters) (they are telescopic)
(http://www.allfishingbuy.com/Fishing-Pole/Pole-A1-JDS-152-HI-21016.htm
I hope this is asked on trivia night.
Grantman83 reply :
For cranks and huge swimbaits, I see it. I also see Marshall and co angler injuries lol.
Expect to see a bunch of detachable handled bass rods in the future ala the shimano expride until the boat lockers catch up.
as for me, no need as at most I'm gonna have a job boat lol
Catt reply :
On 9/28/2016 at 11:38 AM, WRB said:The 8' rod length limit was established to stop the use of 12' flipping rods from use in B.A.S.S. sanctioned tournaments back when Dee Thomas first fished B.A.S.S. events with 12'-14' rods. Dee's first 8' a Fenwick flipping rod had a telescoping handle so the long rod fit bass boat rod lockers.
Going from 8' to 10' is a surprise! The flipping, big deep crankbaits and swimbaits will benefit from longer rods and they will become popular.
Tom
The problem for Dee was not rod length but the fact he had no reel attached, he was in his own words a "Tule Dipper".
Thomas started out as what he refers to as a “tule dipper.”
“I started tule dipping in California in the 50s,” he said. “In that technique, you have a 12- to 18-foot rod. There’s no reel so you either attach a length of line to the tip or you run a length of line down through the rod tip and affix it at the butt-end of the rod. Either way, you have a length of line, about as long as the rod, and that’s what you use to present your lure.”
Reference: http://bassfishingarchives.com/features/the-birth-of-the-flippin-stik-part-one
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
It will be fleemzy unless its a heavy action then it will weigh 15oz .no way they can make a blank the size of a pencil it will look like a noodle also the reels will need to be heavier.then it will be about balannce
J Francho reply :
A 13' Avid centerpin rod (for salmon and steelhead) weighs 5.9 oz. and is rated for baits up to 4 oz. The 15' version (I've used this rod, and its extremely well balanced with the reel about 9" from the end of the butt) is 6.8 oz. I have no doubt rod builders and mass manufacturers will no problem applying what they know about these longer rods to bass fishing rods. I think as bass anglers, we live in a bubble. Our rods are short, even at 8' by many other standards.
hunterPRO1 reply :
I have never in my life even considered over 7'6" for a bass rod.
As has been said already about the money.
WRB reply :
Dee had to put a reel on his 12' rods to fish local tournaments and believe he just taped or hose clamped a reel on the handle to satisfy the TD. I remember fishing a tournament agianst Dee and he was friendly making no secret about how he was fishing, nobody cared until started winning!
Tom
J Francho reply :
What about the money? So every advancement or new technique that requires something different is "about the money?" I don't understand. When we made the switch from steel, cane, and fiberglass rods to graphite, it was money driven? Better hooks with wider gaps, and a z-bend was financially driven?
I mean in some respects, it's always about the money. The company that does not satisfy the demand for a product consumers want doesn't get that revenue. You can look at this in many ways. I'm sure there are people running companies that are all about the quick buck, but to characterize evolution in gear as some conspiracy motivated to get us to spend money is a little silly. You've always had to part with your wallet to try something new. Fishing tackle isn't like cell phones or other consumables with designed obsolescence. The new doesn't really cancel out the old. Besides, if you don't see a need, or don't want to try something new, then you aren't forced to buy it.But don't tell me that an industry made up of primarily small businesses (yes, this is true and you'd be surprised how small) is somehow all about the money, and conspiring to jip you.
Preytorien reply :
I don't think I could fit a one-piece 10ft rod in my little trusty Chevy Tracker - 7'6" is pushing it!
WRB reply :
I don't buy into the money as being the primary factor for innovation, it's about problem solving. If the problem solved satisfies a market, then money can be made. This is why manufacturing products creates innovation to solve problems and continue to be competitive.
Tule dipping using very long rods solved a problem fishing from delta dike roads, the long rod called a jigger pole that could reach over and into the tulies and allow a jig to be dropped down into pockets where bass were at.
Frog gigging and tulie dipping was often done from a pick up truck bed, not always from a boat.
How many bass anglers need a 10' rod is yet to be determined and will only become popular if tournament bass anglers find a competitive advantage using them.
Tom
J Francho reply :
On 9/28/2016 at 11:59 PM, Preytorien said:I don't think I could fit a one-piece 10ft rod in my little trusty Chevy Tracker - 7'6" is pushing it!
My 15' float rod is made up of three, five foot sections. The 13' is two 7-6 sections.
WRB reply :
On 9/29/2016 at 12:02 AM, J Francho said:My 15' float rod is made up of three, five foot sections. The 13' is two 7-6 sections.
I have 12' and 16' Kencore surf rods that 2 and 3 piece. Long surf rods help keep the line off of breaking big waves when casting and placed in rod holders. I can't think of a fresh water application where surf rods would work for bass fishing.
Tom
Catt reply :
On 9/29/2016 at 12:00 AM, WRB said:I don't buy into the money as being the primary factor for innovation, it's about problem solving. If the problem solved satisfies a market, then money can be made. This is why manufacturing products creates innovation to solve problems and continue to be competitive.
Tule dipping using very long rods solved a problem fishing from delta dike roads, the long rod called a jigger pole that could reach over and into the tulies and allow a jig to be dropped down into pockets where bass were at.
Frog gigging and tulie dipping was often done from a pick up truck bed, not always from a boat.
How many bass anglers need a 10' rod is yet to be determined and will only become popular if tournament bass anglers find a competitive advantage using them.
Tom
Dabbling, Doodle-Socking, Jigger Pole, & Tule-Dipping were solutions to a problem for "Meat Hunters" not tournament anglers. This technique was used all across America as a way to catch bass, perch, Crappy, & catfish without buying a boat or lots of tackle.
Dee took a backwoods frowned upon technique brought into the heart of bass fishing & acceptance!
Preytorien reply :
Why stop at 10ft?
Felix77 reply :
On 9/27/2016 at 10:22 PM, J Francho said:Oh boy, that trolling topic is a good one. I used to catch a TON of smallmouth trolling. It was the primary tool with nothing more than a flasher, and the giant desert that is Lake Ontario. Find some reasonable breaks, catch three or so in the same spot, and anchor up, start dropping tubes.
Oh yeah, the 10' rod thing.... bring it on. Dee just raised a fist through into the air from the grave! Jigger poling!
Might make trolling from a kayak more interesting ... Just wonder how I will store that sucker ... LMAO
J Francho reply :
On 9/29/2016 at 12:11 AM, WRB said:I have 12' and 16' Kencore surf rods that 2 and 3 piece. Long surf rods help keep the line off of breaking big waves when casting and placed in rod holders. I can't think of a fresh water application where surf rods would work for bass fishing.
Tom
My point was about how to handle the storage issue. I've stated several uses for a longer stick in bass fishing above. The long rods I was referring to are for presenting baits on a float rig. The terminal rig can be over 8' long, and the long rods help you place that rig in the proper flow for a long drift, while staying out of the fishes' view, since this is downstream presentation, unlike traditional upstream presentations. It also keeps the line off the water, which aids in picking up slack when the float drops from a pick up by a fish.
I also made the point that longer rods aren't necessarily heavier, and that multi piece rods don't lack sensitivity. I don't know of any need for a 15' rod for bass fishing, but I can certainly see 9-10' spinning rod for delicate finesse presentations, or a heavy powered, long rod for punching and flipping. Swimbaiters already know the benefits of a long stick.
There's always gonna be detractors, heck there's been a few threads demanding to know where to find sub 6' rods with pistol grips! Having options is a good thing. We'll see how this long rod deal shapes up.
On 9/29/2016 at 12:47 AM, Felix77 said:Might make trolling from a kayak more interesting ... Just wonder how I will store that sucker ... LMAO
You don't need a 10' rod for trolling. Any 7' rod will do. The hard part in a kayak is maintaining a slow, steady pace. Most bass baits work best at under a MPH. I generally only troll for pike in a kayak, where 3-5 MPH is the norm. I can paddle my boat to 3.5 MPH with little effort.
WRB reply :
The was a crappie fisherman Turner Jones who made custom 9' spinning rods for use with his 1/64 to 1/32 micro jigs. The technique was simple drop the micro jig in front crappie and let the fish hook itself by pulling the tip down a technique common with crappie anglers. Long technique specific rods aren't new as both you and Catt have noted.
Tom
Wind Knot reply :
12-foot tenkara rod anybody?
Aaaaaaaand the picture's gone.
Bass Turd reply :
J Francho reply :
On 9/29/2016 at 5:15 AM, WRB said:The was a crappie fisherman Turner Jones who made custom 9' spinning rods for use with his 1/64 to 1/32 micro jigs. The technique was simple drop the micro jig in front crappie and let the fish hook itself by pulling the tip down a technique common with crappie anglers. Long technique specific rods aren't new as both you and Catt have noted.
Tom
Was he the guy building crappie spinning rods out of fly rod blanks? I think I recall reading about this in In-Fisherman. The photos showed a tremendous, arching flex when he had a slab on the hook. Looked like a deadly presentation. I only express interest because back when there was a closed season for bass, I fished micro jigs for crappie, or "strawberry bass" as they're known around here.
Logan S reply :
FLW hasn't ever had a length restriction and 8'+ rods haven't really made news on their tour, at least that I can remember reading anyway. I'm sure we'll see some 8' to 10' rods now that they're allowed for B.A.S.S. but I'd be surprised if it was 'revolutionary'.
I think the extra length would be beneficial for the 10XD sized crankbaits...That's the biggest thing that jumped out to me. I bet the first places we see the longer rods show up in force is the offshore cranking events.
FWIW, I doubt boats would change much...I can fit 8' rods in my locker with significant space to spare, I bet I could fit up to a 9' rod in there if I owned one that long. My boat is just a 20 footer too. I don't think it's 'about the money' either, the market for 8' rods is already pretty small...Over 8' is going to be even smaller.
Mosster47 reply :
I would use a rod over 8' for deep cranks. For the guys that huck swim baits over 6oz I could see them wanting a longer rod.
WRB reply :
On 9/29/2016 at 8:47 PM, J Francho said:Was he the guy building crappie spinning rods out of fly rod blanks? I think I recall reading about this in In-Fisherman. The photos showed a tremendous, arching flex when he had a slab on the hook. Looked like a deadly presentation. I only express interest because back when there was a closed season for bass, I fished micro jigs for crappie, or "strawberry bass" as they're known around here.
Merlin Olsen, the Ram hall of fame d-tackle and actor, fished with Turner Jones rods and jigs at lake Sherwood, that is were I first watch him catching crappie and a few nice bass. I asked Merlin what he was using and he showed me the rod and tiny jigs. The rod looked like a 5 weight custom fly rod with spinning guides and size 1000 spinning reel, this was back in the late 70's when Olsen was still playing football and very easy friendly person to talk to, big man with big hands!
Tom
timsford reply :
On 9/29/2016 at 12:11 AM, WRB said:I have 12' and 16' Kencore surf rods that 2 and 3 piece. Long surf rods help keep the line off of breaking big waves when casting and placed in rod holders. I can't think of a fresh water application where surf rods would work for bass fishing.
Tom
How far do you guys think kvd can sling a crank bait with a 10ft rod? I've actually considered buying a surf rod to sling swimbaits and other baits way out there. I like fishing swimbait and big lip less cranks for whatever bites below the dams at tims ford, nickajack, and Chickamauga lakes. If you saw how wide the river is and how small a percentage of the water you could cover from shore, you might consider it too. There's lots of guys that use them for catfish on the Tennessee river. I may buy a 2 piece mojo surf rod so I can try the long rods out and get a Daiwa ss tournament 1600 or 2600 spinning reel. I know it can handle anything I hook in freshwater and I'll have a combo I can use on the beach if we go on vacation.
WRB reply :
Long rods require space behind the angler to load up the rod when making very long casts.
Even using 8' swimbait rods you need to watch behind you when fishing with a partner so you don't them with a big swimbait. Ideally you only need a 10 to 2 casting motion, but you also tend to have about 3' of line out between the rod tip and lure with long rods, something to consider.
Tom
J Francho reply :
I VERY rarely cast in a way that my back swing is directly toward the stern. I'm used to fishing a dual console, and it just doesn't work, even with the huge deck on my 22' Bullet.I am usual casting at a 60° off to port or starboard. I don't think I'm in the minority here, either. Otherwise, you're partner will not have much shot at targets either.
Maybe I'm wrong, and I AM the weird one
Wouldn't be the first time!
Turkey sandwich reply :
What I don't understand is the the idea that expanding a market for profit is a bad thing. Companies being profitable in this industry is a very good thing, but that's even short sighted. Obviously if companies will be making longer rods, the rest of the industry (if they become popular) will have to adapt. If this drives innovation in presentations and the equipment needed to make them, that's huge.
My biggest concerns would become transportation and storage, but I guess that means I either buy 4 piece rods like my fly rods, or finally get out of the city and buy an SUV with more space. Maybe this is another way the universe is telling me I don't belong in a big city. 
J Francho reply :
I've witnessed a lot of change over the years with this hobby, and at every increment there have been naysayers. Sometimes they're right - Boron blanks were a fad. Braid didn't make all other lines obsolete. However, catch and release tournaments, graphite blanks, and the Ned Rig (har-har) seem to be here to stay.
fishwizzard reply :
On 9/30/2016 at 12:51 AM, timsford said:How far do you guys think kvd can sling a crank bait with a 10ft rod? I've actually considered buying a surf rod to sling swimbaits and other baits way out there. I like fishing swimbait and big lip less cranks for whatever bites below the dams at tims ford, nickajack, and Chickamauga lakes. If you saw how wide the river is and how small a percentage of the water you could cover from shore, you might consider it too. There's lots of guys that use them for catfish on the Tennessee river. I may buy a 2 piece mojo surf rod so I can try the long rods out and get a Daiwa ss tournament 1600 or 2600 spinning reel. I know it can handle anything I hook in freshwater and I'll have a combo I can use on the beach if we go on vacation.
I have a 9' surf rod and have been thinking of buying an inexpensive swimbait and trying it out. I am not sure if I could cast such a beast from my kayak though, so I would need to find a good shore spot for it.
J Francho reply :
I know I can chuck a 3/4 oz. spoon pretty far on my 9-6 spinning rod for salmon....I mean silly far!
fishwizzard reply :
I forgot to open the bail on my surf rod once when I had a 2oz Kastmaster tied on. I believe it landed somewhere between Lisbon and Gibraltar, but I have yet to get anyone helpful on the phone when I try to call over there.
Further North reply :
On 9/27/2016 at 11:23 PM, J Francho said:9' Fly rods (mayfly hatches have happened during tournaments)
I'll bet...I was in Canada the last week in June one year...ran into the mayfly hatch...and the mayfly hatch up there leaves rafts of mayflies everywhere...
Id' brought along a 6 wt. fly rod for poppers...happened to have some decent sized mayflies in a fly box tucked into the bottom of a bag I had along...
I caught a lot of smallies...Most people didn't catch much of anything...
On 9/28/2016 at 3:36 AM, J Francho said:They did.
I know quite a few kayak bassers that catch pigs on the fly. Generally, they're using at least an 8 wt (not a buggy whip!) fast taper rod to put a big popper frog right in the same spot in a field of slop or pads. Drop it on the spot, twitch it, false cast, drop it back. There's no other way as efficient. A conventional casting rig has to be reeled in, bait cleaned off, re-cast past the spot, and reeled into the target area, rinse, repeat.
SSSSHHHH! Don't tell anyone...but you're dead on here. I can hip more spots faster with a surface fly on a fly rod than anyone with casting/spinning rig can.
Not having to crank it all the way back is huge...and with smallies in particular...after you move the fly about ft. without a hit...it's time to pick it up and put it back down.
To be fair, fishing a fly subsurface is a whole 'nother animal. You have to strip it most of the way in, false cat to get you line back out, then cast again...for toothy fish you need to be even closer....
...but you can do stuff with a sub-surface fly than you can do with any lure.
Further North reply :
On 9/28/2016 at 3:39 AM, Turkey sandwich said:Even with my 8wt, I see myself cursing A LOT trying to do this.
Practice, practice, practice...
For me the key was learning I didn't have to throw every cast a mile and a half....
On 9/28/2016 at 3:46 AM, Turkey sandwich said:Punching is a lot of fun, but I would love to have that kind of confidence growing big flies. Big flies hate me. (Read: I suck at casting big poppers and giant streamers)
Two things:
Use enough rod, and use the right line.
Your 8 wt. is just fine, but get a line designed for big flies. A short head, designed to turn over big poppers is killer...
...and for streamers in particular, dump the idea of a long tapered leader. Most of my bass/pike/musky leaders are 4 to 6 feet of level line (often heavy line - 20# - 50# fluoro leader) with a couple feet of lighter line or tieable wire. You don't want or need finesse with bass or pike, you want to make that fly look like it fell off a cliff...
I've been known to to use 6 ft. of 16# fluoro tied right to a fly...
On 9/28/2016 at 4:14 AM, Turkey sandwich said:I had no idea this was done. I would love to see some for, of this happen again - with legit fly anglers.
Are you implying there are illegitimate fly anglers?
Further North reply :
On 9/28/2016 at 5:29 AM, blckshirt98 said:I fish with a couple of 8'6" and 9' salmon/steelhead rods mainly for the surf, and the extra length definitely comes in handy. Not sure what the new "bass specific" long rods will have that current salmon/steelhead models don't already have but I'm sure there's going to be plenty of people opening up their wallet for a shiny new rod. Punching/flipping? I also bet they go two piece with an offset ferrule point closer to the handle (like the St. Croix Mojo Surf or Shimano Expride) so that you have an 8 foot blank with a 2 foot base/handle it attaches to.
Interesting sidebar: St. Croix just introduced a new fly rod (the SOLE) that is the inverse of that. Two piece with along butt section and short tip section. I am anxious to try one...
Further North reply :
On 9/28/2016 at 10:40 PM, J Francho said:A 13' Avid centerpin rod (for salmon and steelhead) weighs 5.9 oz. and is rated for baits up to 4 oz. The 15' version (I've used this rod, and its extremely well balanced with the reel about 9" from the end of the butt) is 6.8 oz. I have no doubt rod builders and mass manufacturers will no problem applying what they know about these longer rods to bass fishing rods. I think as bass anglers, we live in a bubble. Our rods are short, even at 8' by many other standards.
Yup...I've got a 9 ft. !0 wt. St. Croix Legend X fly rod that weighs 5.6 oz. The Legend Elite 10 wt. is only 4.7 oz.
I have a 9 ft. Scott 8 wt. that is under 4 oz.
The technology is there.
Turkey sandwich reply :
On 9/30/2016 at 10:03 AM, Further North said:Practice, practice, practice...
For me the key was learning I didn't have to throw every cast a mile and a half....
Two things:
Use enough rod, and use the right line.
Your 8 wt. is just fine, but get a line designed for big flies. A short head, designed to turn over big poppers is killer...
...and for streamers in particular, dump the idea of a long tapered leader. Most of my bass/pike/musky leaders are 4 to 6 feet of level line (often heavy line - 20# - 50# fluoro leader) with a couple feet of lighter line or tieable wire. You don't want or need finesse with bass or pike, you want to make that fly look like it fell off a cliff...
I've been known to to use 6 ft. of 16# fluoro tied right to a fly...
Are you implying there are illegitimate fly anglers?
Well, until I stop sucking at the streamer thing...
My 8 tweet is an Orvis Recon and I'm using Orvis's Bass floating line. Without the larger streamers and poppers, I'm able to shoot a solid 55-65' consistently. I should also be using a short leader for my poppers, right?
Further North reply :
On 9/30/2016 at 11:36 AM, Turkey sandwich said:Well, until I stop sucking at the streamer thing...
My 8 tweet is an Orvis Recon and I'm using Orvis's Bass floating line. Without the larger streamers and poppers, I'm able to shoot a solid 55-65' consistently. I should also be using a short leader for my poppers, right?
That's what I do...but it's a short, stiff leader.
...I almost hate giving specific advice because it's likely my casting style is different from yours.
I tend towards fast fly rods, and I tend to try to throw too hard.
55' - 65' is fine. Little need to throw any further than that in fresh water.
Turkey sandwich reply :
Off to practice casting tomorrow morning, then...
soflabasser reply :
On 9/28/2016 at 11:10 PM, hunterPRO1 said:I have never in my life even considered over 7'6" for a bass rod.
As has been said already about the money.
^^This^^
Further North reply :
On 9/30/2016 at 11:36 AM, Turkey sandwich said:My 8 tweet is an Orvis Recon and I'm using Orvis's Bass floating line. Without the larger streamers and poppers, I'm able to shoot a solid 55-65' consistently.
I just looked up that line (if you're using this one: http://www.orvis.com/p/hydros-bass/2ase )
I've never tried an Orvis Recon, so I can't speak to how the rod would feel to me.
Some rods are "finicky" and the right line will make all the difference in the world, others seem to be happy with about anything.
I look for a solid, positive load so that I'm less likely to start the forward cast to soon...but again, everyone is so different...it's hard to explain.
soflabasser reply :
On 9/29/2016 at 6:03 AM, Bass Turd said:
I have seen this video before,the main guy in the video is known for catching lots of big bass with this style of fishing.
Turkey sandwich reply :
On 9/30/2016 at 11:51 AM, Further North said:I just looked up that line (if you're using this one: http://www.orvis.com/p/hydros-bass/2ase )
I've never tried an Orvis Recon, so I can't speak to how the rod would feel to me.
Some rods are "finicky" and the right line will make all the difference in the world, others seem to be happy with about anything.
I look for a solid, positive load so that I'm less likely to start the forward cast to soon...but again, everyone is so different...it's hard to explain.
That's it! The Recon feels to definitely be on the faster side. Teaching yourself to fly cast is a trip, lol.
Further North reply :
On 9/30/2016 at 12:32 PM, Turkey sandwich said:That's it! The Recon feels to definitely be on the faster side. Teaching yourself to fly cast is a trip, lol.
Then I'd consider going to a heavier line.
The Rio Outbound intermediate I have on my TFO Axiom is a 330 grain, I think.
EDIT: Just confirmed: The line on my 8 wt. Axiom is a 330 grain intermediate sink line.
Again, not being familiar with Recon, I can't comment, but the Axiom I throw that I would not care for with a 250 grain line.
I have a Scott 8 wt. that would probably be fine with the 250 gr. line, and I have a Cabela's L-Tech that likes a lighter line as well.
Robert Riley reply :
We've got quite the rod at F&S haha. It's a whopping 15'
.ghoti. reply :
A ten foot rod is going to have to sport a four foot handle to keep everybody from whining about it being tip-heavy.
andywbass reply :
On 9/27/2016 at 10:22 PM, J Francho said:Oh boy, that trolling topic is a good one. I used to catch a TON of smallmouth trolling. It was the primary tool with nothing more than a flasher, and the giant desert that is Lake Ontario. Find some reasonable breaks, catch three or so in the same spot, and anchor up, start dropping tubes.
Oh yeah, the 10' rod thing.... bring it on. Dee just raised a fist through into the air from the grave! Jigger poling!
Wow, I am so sorry, I did not even know Dee passed away. Where can I read an obit? Thanks.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
On 10/2/2016 at 1:36 AM, .ghoti. said:A ten foot rod is going to have to sport a four foot handle to keep everybody from whining about it being tip-heavy.
No, they can hang a down rigger weight off the back end. Then it will be "light in hand"
Hot Rod Johnson reply :
BASS The birth of 10-foot bass rods what are your opinions for or against and why?
They unanimously decided to increase the length to 10 feet. I didn’t suggest a length but asked the question. After the discussions, they all voted unanimously to adopt longer rods, and they settled on 10 foot as the length. Here’s why I’ve thought about this for so many years.
http://www.bassmaster.com/skeet-reese/birth-10-foot-bass
roadwarrior reply :
Hmm...
long island basser reply :
I say let them use any size rod they want. As for me, no Thankyou, I'm not interested.
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