I was at the store yesterday and I noticed something about the length of the rods. When I compared 6' and 7' rods of the same model, the majority of the extra length is in the butt (behind the grip). The extra length in the tip is only about 3-6 inches. Does that small increase in length really make a big difference in the casting distance?

to me.. i feel no difference between 7ft and below.  Im 5'7 and i perfer 7 or shorter rods only. But i do have a 7'5 length and thats when you'll notice a difference in a longer shaft rod.

I don't always notice/feel a difference when its only 6".  When I compare say a 7' to 6' though, casting distance is noticebly longer.  As a taller guy though (6'2") using a shorter rod feels like I'm short changing myself on potential distance.  I rarely look at rods under 7' for that reason.

Casting distance is a complex set of factors, rod length is one. How a rod bends under lure load, rod giudes type and placement are also very important. The rod length from the reel seat to the rod tip is a consideration and so is the rod handle length from the reel seat back to the butt end of the rod. A well balanced rod that combines all the elements to maximize casting distance may be less than 7' long for the average lure weight of 3/8-3/4 oz. the more parabolic the rod bends to luanch the lure, the more distance you can cast, with rods length being equal. for this reason crankbait rods tend to be slower action longer length to achieve ease in casting with greater distance. The faster the action the rod is with shorter rod handle, the more difficult it is to cast.

Tom

Casting distance is a complex set of factors, rod length is one. How a rod bends under lure load, rod giudes type and placement are also very important. The rod length from the reel seat to the rod tip is a consideration and so is the rod handle length from the reel seat back to the butt end of the rod. A well balanced rod that combines all the elements to maximize casting distance may be less than 7' long for the average lure weight of 3/8-3/4 oz. the more parabolic the rod bends to luanch the lure, the more distance you can cast, with rods length being equal. for this reason crankbait rods tend to be slower action longer length to achieve ease in casting with greater distance. The faster the action the rod is with shorter rod handle, the more difficult it is to cast.

Tom

 

 

I was testing 3 combos the other day.  My Tec Spec 6'8" Medium Med-Fast outcast the other two 7' rods I had with me.  One was a Medium Fast and the other a MH Fast.

Factors other than casting distance are taken into account when a rod is manufactured. Some are designed for power and some just for the exra reach as when flipping. The rod you described, with the longer handle is likely not intended for increased casting distance over the other model, but for the extra control it offers the angler while fighting a fish, or perhaps so that he can lay the handle along his arm to reduce stress on the wrist when cranking.

I guess what I'm attempting to show you is that just because a rod is longer than another of the same model, that increased casting distance may not be the reason.

Typically, 6.5' rods have 8" handles and 7' rods have 10" handles, so the difference in operating length is about 4 inches.  In my experience, those 4 inches makes a couple of yards difference in casting distance, all other things being equal (they rarely are).  On the other hand, shorter rods tend to be more accurate casters.  So you have to judge for yourself where the sweet spot is.  Looking over the rods I own, my favorites tend to be 6'8" long.  Don't really know why, they just feel right and have the combination of distance and accuracy I like for fishing plastics and shallow crankbaits.  But I go with longer rods for distance, casting or flipping and shorter rods when accuracy is paramount, like fishing docks.

Fishing from shore I can out cast everyone with the longer length rods. I use the 5'6", 6',  6'6" and 7' rods.

The 7' & 6'6" rods handle my topwater and crankbaits. My only problem is if I'm out that far and get a 

Strike and hookup a big bass as I set the hook she goes down in the weeds faster than I can hold her head up. I lost a lure and a very large bass this way. My shorter 5'6" rods are for smaller inline spinners and crankbaits. My 6' rod is for my carolina rigs.

 

Overall my success in shore fishing maybe casting farther out too. My first cast is with the topwater lure soaked with bass scent. I figure I can motivate them.

Thanks for all of your responses. They provided a lot of insight into the topic!

I have identical rods, same brand and model, with the only difference being length.  The 7 footer casts just about the same distance as the 7'6.  The difference I see in the 2 is a longer rear grip which I much prefer and the blank is a little bit thicker. Catching the same kind of fish the 7'6 is the superior rod in terms of it handles fish, it isn't that apparent until the fish get over 10# or so.  I really only use the 7' when it's real windy and the fish are running smaller. I've been fishing this species on these rods nearly everyday for the last 10 years.

 As for the OP, the "effective rod length" is from the middle of the reel seat to the tip. In general longer rods cast further and shorter are more accurate up close. Over all length and grip length need to be experimented with to get the right mix and desired result. There is a point of diminishing returns in both grip length and overall length. As stated above there are considerations besides casting distance that affect what rod is chosen for a particular situation.