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In an attempt to simplify the discussion regarding long and short rods I will attempt to outline what I see as the advantages and disadvantages of long V short rods. This is not an attempt to prove one over the other but to open people's minds a bit and start a discussion.
Remember at the end of this there is NO right or wrong, just personal preference.
For the purpose of this I will assume readers will know what a rod is! For arguments sake, and I know some will follow, I am talking here about what we consider a lure rods. If we look at what are considered normal or recent boundaries in terms of lure rods then compare the pros and cons it might help newbies to think about what they want from a rod.
What do most people consider the boundaries of length in a lure rod? Personally my lower limit is 6ft and although I don't own anything that long I would consider 10ft to be the maximum I would consider using.
So looking at them in turn what are the pros and cons of each in general terms? Bear in mind that there will always be exceptions to every rule.
Short rods:
Pros -
lighter weight – if you are holding and working a rod, the lighter it is the less tiring it should be.
better balance – shorter rods should balance better with the weight of the reel and the overall weight not being so far in front of you.
casting accuracy – easier to make pinpoint casts with short rods
sensitivity (the longer the rod, the more distance down the blank any transmitted vibration has to travel before the angler feels it)
Cons-
Shorter casting range (subject to what is being cast and ability)
Less control at range – the shorter rod will move the line less when trying to move the lure in any direction.
Reach is reduced – if you need to clear any snags or obstacles in front of you.
Longer rods:
Pros-
Longer casting
Better control at distance
Longer reach
Cons-
Heavier
Less balanced
Less sensitive.
If we want the best of everything from one rod, then is simple terms you take your own personal upper and lower limits and find a rod that sits somewhere in between, you will find your own personal compromise. Not the best at anything but more likely to do most things.
For most lure anglers these days the majority of their fishing will likely use either plugs or soft plastics. Each of these styles of angling require different characteristics in a rod. Plug fishing usually requires more distance and not so much (as opposed to none at all) sensitivity in the rod. SP fishing is usually done at closer range and entails ‘working the bait’ in a different way, often requiring more sensitivity in the rod to feel what is happening to the lure.
The end result is if you choose a rod specific to each type they would likely be one from the shorter (not necessarily shortest) more sensitive end of the scale for SPs and one from the longer(not necessarily longest) end of the scale for plugs.
There has been lots of discussion about what is or isn’t the best rod for this or that type of fishing. The simple answer is that no such rod exists. For every argument for a particular rod there will be one against. I have learnt the hard (and expensive) way that what suits one person does not necessarily suit another. Listen to what people have to say about a rod, what it is good at, not so good at, take it all in. Then compare how you fish, where you fish, what you fish for. How similar is it to your fishing? If you can try one all the better. Just remember that no matter how honest and accurate somebody else opinion is, they are not you. Very profound but very true when it comes to choosing a rod.
I fish with somebody that uses the same rod for almost everything. Not only that but ‘on paper’ sometimes it looks all wrong but it works for him. It not only works but works very well. So there are always exceptions. No hard and fast rules. You pay your money you make your choice.
(Sorry for rambling on!!!!)
Remember at the end of this there is NO right or wrong, just personal preference.
For the purpose of this I will assume readers will know what a rod is! For arguments sake, and I know some will follow, I am talking here about what we consider a lure rods. If we look at what are considered normal or recent boundaries in terms of lure rods then compare the pros and cons it might help newbies to think about what they want from a rod.
What do most people consider the boundaries of length in a lure rod? Personally my lower limit is 6ft and although I don't own anything that long I would consider 10ft to be the maximum I would consider using.
So looking at them in turn what are the pros and cons of each in general terms? Bear in mind that there will always be exceptions to every rule.
Short rods:
Pros -
lighter weight – if you are holding and working a rod, the lighter it is the less tiring it should be.
better balance – shorter rods should balance better with the weight of the reel and the overall weight not being so far in front of you.
casting accuracy – easier to make pinpoint casts with short rods
sensitivity (the longer the rod, the more distance down the blank any transmitted vibration has to travel before the angler feels it)
Cons-
Shorter casting range (subject to what is being cast and ability)
Less control at range – the shorter rod will move the line less when trying to move the lure in any direction.
Reach is reduced – if you need to clear any snags or obstacles in front of you.
Longer rods:
Pros-
Longer casting
Better control at distance
Longer reach
Cons-
Heavier
Less balanced
Less sensitive.
If we want the best of everything from one rod, then is simple terms you take your own personal upper and lower limits and find a rod that sits somewhere in between, you will find your own personal compromise. Not the best at anything but more likely to do most things.
For most lure anglers these days the majority of their fishing will likely use either plugs or soft plastics. Each of these styles of angling require different characteristics in a rod. Plug fishing usually requires more distance and not so much (as opposed to none at all) sensitivity in the rod. SP fishing is usually done at closer range and entails ‘working the bait’ in a different way, often requiring more sensitivity in the rod to feel what is happening to the lure.
The end result is if you choose a rod specific to each type they would likely be one from the shorter (not necessarily shortest) more sensitive end of the scale for SPs and one from the longer(not necessarily longest) end of the scale for plugs.
There has been lots of discussion about what is or isn’t the best rod for this or that type of fishing. The simple answer is that no such rod exists. For every argument for a particular rod there will be one against. I have learnt the hard (and expensive) way that what suits one person does not necessarily suit another. Listen to what people have to say about a rod, what it is good at, not so good at, take it all in. Then compare how you fish, where you fish, what you fish for. How similar is it to your fishing? If you can try one all the better. Just remember that no matter how honest and accurate somebody else opinion is, they are not you. Very profound but very true when it comes to choosing a rod.
I fish with somebody that uses the same rod for almost everything. Not only that but ‘on paper’ sometimes it looks all wrong but it works for him. It not only works but works very well. So there are always exceptions. No hard and fast rules. You pay your money you make your choice.
(Sorry for rambling on!!!!)
