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Posts: 127
Location: Brookfield | I am looking for another rod. Right now I have 2 6' 6" rods in extra heavy and a 7' 6" for a bucktail rod. At first I liked the shorter rods but I hate them for figure eighting. Now I find myself throwing alot of my baits with my bucktail rod that I shouldnt be throwing with it. I want to get an extra heavy 8 footer but I am wondering if that is just to long and maybe I should just get the 7' 6". My goal with this rod is to use it for Jakes and Grandma type baits, I would like to get a longer sweep and I feel I shouldnt get as tired so quickly. The only thing I have decided on is Im definetly putting a Calcutta on it.
What are you guys throwing with? Any opinions are appreciated. 
Nut |
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Posts: 186
Location: West Chicago, IL | The more that I use longer rods, the longer the rods I use. I just ordered an 8'6" rod and hardly ever throw anything on my 7'6" rods anymore. Longer is just easier. |
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Posts: 742
Location: Grand Rapids MN | I had a 7' and a 6'3" and just recently jumped to an 8'er. I will never go back! If you're used to a 7'6" then that jump to an 8' won't be a big deal at all. Now I don't even touch my other rods and I'm in the same situation as you, I tend to throw everything with it. Good luck with the decision. |
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| The longer the better, go with 8 foot or even 8 foot 6 inches for casting |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I use a 7' rod alot, especially working surface baits and Wabulls. I can make the lure 'dance' better with the tighter control the shorter rod offers. I also have a couple 8.5' rods, and like them fine for tossing the big soft plastics and spinnerbaits, etc.
Each presentation shines for me with the proper rod, both length and action. Some folks find one size fits all, I don't. |
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Posts: 315
| i use a 7' heavy st croix premier for my top water stuff i seem to have more control with top waters with a shorter rod but i just got myself a 7'6 compre for bucktails smaller dawgs and spinnerbaits its the x heavy and i cant wait......i was gonna go for the 8' but i fish out of a small boat....dont need to be hooking anything that shouldnt get hooked i.e. my dad
bfunk |
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Posts: 462
Location: Madison Wi. Chain | It might depend on how tall you are. I am 5'10" and like rods either 8 or 7.5 feet long. I just bought an 8ft premere and love it. Has MH action which is great for bucktails and topwater and smaller plastic. Either way just get you lure in the water and do a good figure 8. BG |
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| I don't buy the "how tall you are thing" for rod length...Lee Tauchen who is can barely get on rides at Great America (kidding Lee!) use to throw a 9' All Star before some schmucks stole it out of his boat...
go with as long of a rod as you can....I use 8' for side to side jerkbaits, or topwaters and 8'6" and 9's for everything else....when Keith can make me a 9'6" I will be one of the first to order....go big or go home!  |
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Posts: 468
Location: Not where I wanna be! | adding a longer rod to your arsenal will prove to be a good investment. i own an 8' heavy. i use it especially for working baits that dont need lots of additional action. i.e. bucktails, straight running cranks, and it works well with bulldawgs as well....
it is easier to cast and you definately get more distance....
id recommend getting one!! |
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Posts: 127
Location: Brookfield | I pretty much had my mind made up on the 8 footer, I just needed someone to tell me I will like it. Thanks For your help, I will be picking it up tonight becuase I cant wait until tomorrow.
NUT |
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Posts: 56
| I know everyone is now pushing longer and heavier rods, and I own an 8'6" myself. I think it's great for some uses, like retrieving bucktails, strait-retrieve topwaters, lures you can sweep or pull, like Bulldawgs,etc.
However, I don't think those rods are as effective if you are into twitching crankbaits, or work side-to-side topwaters, or use a lot of gliders. I find them too slow and hard to manipulate. If you really like to put a lot of hard, quick twitches to a lure like a Crane, or you are really trying to make a Jackpot dance, I prefer shorter 7'6" or 7'8" rods. Same thing goes for some gliders, like a 6" Reef Hawg, or even an 8". I just don't feel like I have enough control with a much longer rod.
Just a personal thing, maybe, but I'm not sure a longer rod is automatically always the answer. Many times I've put down my 8'6" and gone to a shorter rod and been able to fish longer and more effectively.
Edited by seabass 7/17/2007 12:53 PM
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Posts: 556
| a 7'6 fits me and im 6'2 |
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Posts: 1237
Location: South Portsmouth, KY | Go with the 8 footer. I made the switch this year from 7 footers to 8 footers and i felt a big difference. Longer casts, bigger figure eights. I just now ordered an 8'6 rod. Was going to get a 9 footer but it wouldent fit in the locker or rod case. You will love the 8 footer! |
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Posts: 39
| I just bought an 8ft Premier that I love to use......go longer - you will be glad you did. |
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Posts: 786
Location: Minnesota | I am getting a new 8 foot heavy tomorrow. I was using a 6'6" on Mil Lacs a few weeks ago and got 4 follow (3 bigger than 40" and one close to 50). On each follow I was unable to perfom a good fig 8 from where I was in the boat and in the short amount of time I had to prep when I saw the muskies. If I had an 8 foot or bigger rod I coudl have done a MUCH better job aand might have boated one of those fish. JMO but, I plan on going with longer rods in the future. (Hope my wife does not have the same idea! LOL)
James |
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | I like longer rods for everything but jerkbaits and walk the dog topwater. 7' is nice for them. I just got my first 8'6" this year (legend tournament) and love it for mag dawgs, kickin minnows, dunwright pike, ect. I hope to replace my 2 7'6" rods w/ 8'-9' rods. |
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