Whats Your Prefered Length Of Rod For Smallmouth 2024
ashmen94 reply :
I usually bring 2 rods with me on a float, both being 6.0'. I was thinking of getting a 5'6" rod just because short rods/ action makes the fight better(in my opinion) , I wanted to see your guys take on rod size.
st041986 reply :
I'm a fan of longer rods, even if I am floating. Everything I use is 6'6" to 7'2".
Snakehead Whisperer reply :
x2
My most used rods for smallmouth fishing are between 6'9"-7'6", and most are ML or M.
Smokinal reply :
On 2/4/2014 at 5:12 AM, st041986 said:I'm a fan of longer rods, even if I am floating. Everything I use is 6'6" to 7'2".
yup, 6-8 to 7-2 here
Darren. reply :
Heh. I've not fished smallies many times, but when I have, I've caught plenty on shorter rods in the 5'9" - 6'3" length without problem.
It really comes down to what you like. Longer rods are popular these days, but not absolutely necessary. I always try out the longer rods in-store, but I just prefer the shorter variety. Say what you will, it is just what I prefer in my hands.
If you can get your hands on rods in your local sporting goods store(s), ask them to put a reel on them (or bring your own) and see how they feel in YOUR hands. You may love a 7'6" rod, or you may hate it. You've got to make the choice for yourself.
Hi Salenity reply :
7' casting and spinning
6'8" jerkbait
Scott F reply :
7 foot medium light spinning rods for smallies for me. I don't believe bronzebacks are spooked by line, but I know they get spooked by seeing me or the boat I'm in. Most of the water where I fish smallmouth is pretty clear. I want to be able to make the longest casts I can so I can stay as far back as I can get. I'd use even longer rods but 7 feet is the longest that will fit in my truck.
tomustang reply :
No difference than other bass rods I use.
Longer rods provide better fights no doubt, more rod means more load/flex.
Snakehead Whisperer reply :
On 2/4/2014 at 9:09 AM, DarrenM said:If you can get your hands on rods in your local sporting goods store(s), ask them to put a reel on them (or bring your own) and see how they feel in YOUR hands. You may love a 7'6" rod, or you may hate it. You've got to make the choice for yourself.
I can't agree more. It's also a good idea to see what the rod feels like with the reel you decide to pair it with.
RandySBreth reply :
The shortest I use is 6' - it's a light casting rod for topwaters. Longest spinning rod is a 8' medium/light for dropshot or float and fly in winter. Of course, there's a coupl of 9' and 9'6" fly rods I use, too.
Most of the time it's around 7' for casting and spinning.
roadwarrior reply :
On 2/4/2014 at 9:19 AM, Hi Salenity said:7' casting and spinning
6'8" jerkbait
Pretty much the same, but my dedicated jerkbait rod is an Avid AVC66MF.
flyfisher reply :
I usually go with two rods on smallmouth excursions. One is 9' and the other is 7'11"....of course they are fly rods 
Felix77 reply :
No difference for me. Same I use for any bass. Technique specific ... not species specific.
ashmen94 reply :
thanks for the answers, really appreciate it. this info will help thanks. !!!!! lines tight !!!!
ww2farmer reply :
Same as for largemouth. My shortest rod is 6'6", and my longest is 7'6", I have caught them on both lengths and everything in between.
Siebert Outdoors reply :
7'-7'6" is what I use for lake smallie fishing. Same rods I use for largemouth.
tubedude reply :
I'm prefer using the 6'6" rod for all types of bass. I like having a bit of length to reach out farther when casting from a boat/float tube...but to be honest I've never tried the 7' rods. The 6'6" just seems more versatile. And I use a medium power rod almost always unless I'm throwing spinnerbaits or heavy jigs. I just can't afford 5 different rods for every situation but I still get by alright. Good luck!
jkroosz reply :
7 foot, usually no heavier than medium action.
sullyb reply :
6ft.6in to 7ft.3 in. spinning and baitcasters for large and small mouth.I'm still trying to catch my first smallie though.lol
Pumba1239 reply :
My main spinning rod is 6'6" my baitcast is 7" and I also use a 5" ultra light with 4lb flurocarbon for wacky rigs.
Dwight Hottle reply :
On 2/6/2014 at 10:19 PM, ww2farmer said:Same as for largemouth. My shortest rod is 6'6", and my longest is 7'6", I have caught them on both lengths and everything in between.
X2
Steveo-1969 reply :
As others have said, the most important thing is the length you are comfortable with. I prefer longer rods myself, my spinning rods are 6'10" and 7'. My main consideration for length was based on wade fishing. I get longer casts and IMO better hooksets with the longer rods.
Siebert Outdoors reply :
I use from 7'-7'6" rods for smallies.
michael68w reply :
i wade more often then not and my choice of rod is normally no shorter then 6'8 with most of my setups being 6'10-7'0 all spinning with 6-10lb line.
roadwarrior reply :
On 2/5/2014 at 12:48 AM, Felix77 said:No difference for me. Same I use for any bass. Technique specific ... not species specific.
Best answer.
ragetail1061 reply :
I think its a matter of what you are comfortable with. Being comfortable translates to confidence and confidence is the most important thing you need whether its in your rod or the bait you are using. Confidence translates to success!
Crestliner2008 reply :
I like a longer 7' rod in ML or Med. action spinning, depending on what technique I'm doing. For some reason, drop shotting for smallies has this "stigma" about 6'6" rods being "ideal". I go longer, to 7' ML. Gives me better control with the presentation. Hard to find rods like that though.
Larry C. reply :
Seems like a very personal question to me. But at the risk of being labeled a prude I'll say 7'.
SirSnookalot reply :
On 4/26/2014 at 3:06 AM, Larry C. said:Seems like a very personal question to me. But at the risk of being labeled a prude I'll say 7'.
We have no small mouth here but we have peacock bass, I'd say for the most part the water we catch them in is shallower. I use a 6'6 ml or 6'6 light.
Larry C. reply :
On 4/26/2014 at 3:43 AM, SirSnookalot said:We have no small mouth here but we have peacock bass, I'd say for the most part the water we catch them in is shallower. I use a 6'6 ml or 6'6 light.
I had a 6'.6 M and went up to a 7' MH and couldn't be happier. On a side note the new rod is a much higher quality.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
Felix77, on 04 Feb 2014 - 09:48, said:
On 2/5/2014 at 12:48 AM, Felix77 said:No difference for me. Same I use for any bass. Technique specific ... not species specific.
Best answer.
Exactly. I'll go one step further and take the reference to bass out completely. Rod length should match the presentation & comfort regardless of the species that might bite.
jtharris3 reply :
I use mainly spinning rods for my smallie fishing, 7' Med action. My casting rods that I use when targeting them are 6' 6" Med action. Most of my smallie fishing is in rivers so I mainly use the spinning rods.
hamiltonangler94 reply :
Since I do a lot of my smallie fishingin rivers and tighter spaces I usually go with 6 ft or 6.5 ft
bassboy33 reply :
I like rods ranging from 6'6 to 6'9
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
I use a 6'8'' Light rod for smallmouth.
dosam reply :
Rod length is usually tech specific but even then its personal preference. For me I can go either a 6'6'' or a 7'. When I first started fishing I could not aim properly with my caster but as I learned to control my casts I could use any rod to give accurate casts. If you want max cast distance then longer rod is ideal but for nice and easy accurate casts id say 6'6'' is geat.
SirSnookalot reply :
On 6/10/2014 at 8:09 PM, OntarioFishingGuy said:I use a 6'8'' Light rod for smallmouth.
No smallies here I'm using 6'6 light for peacocks. For me there is not definitive rod size, factors I look at are the water conditions such as current and vegetation, target species too.
Catch 22 reply :
6"6" for spinner baits,7' for jigs and all others
C22
FunkJishing reply :
between 6 and 7.5
no more no less.
HoosierHawgs reply :
6'6" for longer cast. This is very important when it comes to smallmouth in clear water IMO. I go to a shorter 6'0" when I'm hiking into the creek I wade because I don't need to make such long cast, and I don't want to bust the tip.
Jeff H reply :
6'-7'...covers every rod I own. 
uh, not quite true, I own a 7'10" also but never use that one for smallies
*Hank reply :
I prefer a 6'6".
fisherrw reply :
7 foot
A-Jay reply :
Doesn't matter what it starts out at as long as it's bent over more often than not . . . .
A-Jay
jitterbug127 reply :
6 6 or 7.
Bluebasser86 reply :
6' 2" to 7' 10", which would cover every bass rod I own I don't care which one I'm catching them on, as long as I'm catching them.
cyclops2 reply :
I have NEVER caught any fish where there are NONE.
That said. I can catch them on anything. If they are in my casting or trolling distance.
I have a virgin untouched waterfall & pond. I can get 15 to 20 strikes in a 50 foot cast with some of my lures with no hooks on them.
It is the abilities of the person not his gear.
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