I am a fan of shorter rods myself. I feel most comfortable fishing spinnerbaits with a 6' mh/f baitcast combo since most of my spinnerbait fishing is at specific targets/ locations in 5 ft of water or less. Just feels right. I also like it for close quarters like slinging a tube or something way back in too a boathouse. Only thing i use 7 ft or longer for is jigs, topwaters and treble hook baits.

Just my $.02 the reason the industry is going to longer and longer rods is because that is where the demand is. Just ask any retailer in the industry how many short rods the have tossed because even when priced below cost they wouldn't sell and you'll discover why they don't carry them. Even the big retailers ran into this and the rod industry responded.

A good custom rod maker can make you a two piece 7 or 8 ft. rod as well as a one piece 6ft., but if the industry produced them, they'd end up getting tossed out by retailers too.

i love my pistol grip rods 5.6 to 6 ft would not trade or sell um for anything.matter of fact im going to a local fishing place when i get more money and buyin up the last 2 of there fenwick hooksetters .i bought 2 from him already and at 35 bucks its a steal deal for me .i do belive they sold them brand new yrs ago for 75 to 100 bucks

i love my pistol grip rods 5.6 to 6 ft would not trade or sell um for anything.matter of fact im going to a local fishing place when i get more money and buyin up the last 2 of there fenwick hooksetters .i bought 2 from him already and at 35 bucks its a steal deal for me .i do belive they sold them brand new yrs ago for 75 to 100 bucks

and they still have a lifetime warrenty on them lol wonder how that works as they are discontinued ???

and they still have a lifetime warrenty on them lol wonder how that works as they are discontinued ???

Upgrade maybe? Don't know for sure.

Hootie

Make your own, thats what I do now. New rods look like they come off a old cadillacs hood or hanging on a chain around someones neck. Technique specific in all these odd ball length made just to catch fishermen. You can make your own they way you want them without a huge expenditure in tools.

If I were to buy a 6'4"-6'6" rod today, is that' basically the same length above the reel if you compare with 6" pistol grip?