Which Rod to Buy?

[Grumpy]

OK, I have seen many posts on here wanting opinions about what rod or reel to buy (I have even answered a few of them)--NOW ITS MY TURN!!

I have a new reel and am wanting to get a new CRANKBAIT rod to use it on. I am looking at two rods from the same manufacturer (which one is immaterial) and everything is the same except the length of the rods, i.e. both are listed as CRANKBAIT RODS; both are the same rod series; both are Medium Power; both are Medium Fast Action; both use line of 8 to 14# test; and both handle lures of 1/4 to 5/8th oz. The only listed difference is one is 6'6" and the other is 7'.

Just for information I am 5'5'' tall and do most of my fishing sitting down ( I have used rods up 7'6" without a problem). I intend to use 10# Florocarbon line on the reel. I throw a crankbait anywhere from on the shore to deeper water and I do tend to throw my crankbaits into and near "junk" (stick-ups, lay downs, bushes, sunken brush piles, ets) so accruacy is a must. And, I guess that is really the question: is the longer or short rod better for accuracy and/or accuracy at different distances from the boat. Also I am interested in any other commets about which may be the better rod to buy.

Thanks for you opinion,

Grumpy

[mhall]

Grumpy, go with a 6 footer for accuracy, and it's still plenty long enough to play them ole bigguns. 6' 6'' is alright to but I'm betting you'll like the 6 footer better.

[elnutsmalljaws]

I too do the majority of my fishing sitting down and even have a high gunnel on my Deep V boat that makes sidearm casting a bit more harder than from my buddy's Triton. I use 7' rods on all 4 of my baitcasters and have no problem with accuracy or distance. I am 6' tall and keep my seat pedestal pretty high and I rest my left foot on the gunnel and right foot on the trolling motor (not recessed). You will get better accuracy from the 6'6" over the 7' but better distance with the longer rod. Just depends on what you do most. For me, except for spring, I am chunking into the wide open spaces out deeper. I would take the distance over the accuracy to get deeper crankbaits down deeper and longer. Just me.

[DJD]

I own a 7' Loomis crankbait rod and I like it alot but don't see the need in getting another. I have been using a 6' 6" rod medium heavy (3 power for loomis) fast action, for the majority of my cranking and have learned to like it more. I'm more accurate with it around wood and casting to the bank. I mainly throw the 100 and 200 bandits with it. JMO

[Wormin]

Grumpy with all your money you should buy both and give me the one you don't like.LOL

[bkehl]

For the money, Bass Pro Shoppes "Crankin" Stick for $59.99 Comes in 6foot to 7.6 feet. I use the Med. Lite 7 foot rod and love it. you can feel every woble that your crankbait makes.

[PROANGLER746]

As I have found so very often its not what you buy but what you are comfortable with. You can spend $3000 on the most greatest thing and it not work for you. Then find out that the $50 item is perfect.
Trial and error is where I found it works best for me. I love my 7 ft rod with plastics and my 6'6" on cranks.

[LarryG]

I like the 7 ft rods, when I'm cranken, sometimes a long fast sweep will pull the trigger on some fish. I like the 7 ft rods for distance, accuracy comes with using them.

[Col Forbin]

I would go with the 7' - just for the extra casting distance. I have gone to all 7 and up.

[Dave Stewart]

Personally I would prefer the shorter rod for accuracy and the longer rod for distance casting to cover water or deeper fishing. I too sit down most of time anymore when fishing and for me an accurate roll cast is much easier on the shorter rod. Like was said before....use what feels comfortable to you...you will catch more fish. In your situation of not being sure I would probably borrow both sizes from a friend and try them out if I did not have both sizes already in my boat.

[zx150]

I have both a 6'6" and a 7' and I like them both. Unless I am crankin' a deep diver and I use the 6'6" and love them. I would recomend the 6'6" all the way. Ryan.