Why are there limits on rod lengths in tournaments? I've been wondering about this for a while, never understood it. I was going to buy a 9'6" float n fly rod, but I guess I'll have to go with an 8'.

. check the tournament rules before you enter. some allow up to 8 ft. some allow over 8ft bit a little some are under 8ft only.

. check the tournament rules before you enter. some allow up to 8 ft. some allow over 8ft bit a little some are under 8ft only.

No offense but that didn't answer my question at al...

No offense but that didn't answer my question at al...

Ha i'm sorry i misread the question. I thought you asked "what" not "why". my apologizes. 

I have heard it was to eliminate 10' flippin rods that some people were using. Other than flipping distance and tip speed on hook sets I'm not really sure what the great advantage was though or why it needed to be banned.

Gary Klein explained it once at a Bassmaster University presentation. There apparently was a tactic used down south that involved very long poles and short line baited with pork rind. If I remember correctly; he refered to it as "dabbling". Guys were using this presentation and doing quite well with it. The question arose among tournament competitors, " how long a rod are we allowed" ? The ruling body was forced to make a decision. They came up with an 8' limit. This is the only explanation I've ever heard. I hope this helps.

Blame Dee Thomas.

Look up jigger poling also.

 

The longer rods essentially allowed guys to reach back into whatever fish holding cover they wanted to and just quietly drop a bait on a fish. I've heard they were straight wearing the fish out with this technique, so the rule was implemented.

Livewell, has Hartwell bounced back from those years of protracted drought?  I've wanted to make a trip down that way and give it a try. Thanks.

Look up jigger poling also.

 

The longer rods essentially allowed guys to reach back into whatever fish holding cover they wanted to and just quietly drop a bait on a fish. I've heard they were straight wearing the fish out with this technique, so the rule was implemented.

If they work on cute brunettes I'm buying a few

Livewell, has Hartwell bounced back from those years of protracted drought?  I've wanted to make a trip down that way and give it a try. Thanks.

The lake is up to full depth. I think the fishing has gotten tougher now, personally. I miss the days of wade fishing all along the Chauga river and catching tons of 3+ pound spots. But yes, last I was there (October) it was still up.

This sounds like the same principle for the A-rig ban argument....

I thought the original ruling was 7'6" and years later was increased to 8'.

 

And as Speedbead said, Dee Thomas had a hand in it as I recall.

“Tule Dipping" which became the basis for flipping from Dee Thomas and then expanded by Denny Brauer as a technique along with pitching.

 

I think the original rod length was 7'6". I have no recollection of an 8' length rod.

Bass Fishing Archives .com explains the true story!

Guys in the old days were using long crappie rods to reach way back in the brush and flip with em. Kinda silly to outlaw that sort of stuff if you ask me. There is no length limit on rods in either of the clubs I fish so my square bill rod is a cabelas 9' medium action steelhead casting rod. I can sling a 1.5 about 3.5 miles. haha

As stated, it all goes back to Dee Thomas' 1975 Bull Shoals dominant victory using the technique with a long rod. Ray and Harold got a lot of complaints and evaluated everything, then implemented the 8' rule the following year (1976) in the interest of "equity" among competitors. Most smaller circuits tend to set their rules based on what the national circuits do, especially affiliated clubs and organizations.

 

-T9

My bets bet would be check the tournament rules, each tournament could be different

In Dee's own words it started when he was fishing the Western Bass Fishing Association on Lake Don pedro.

See Bass Fishing Archives: Birth of the Flippen` Stik-Part I.

It was a 7' 6" Fenwick Stripper Rod

In Dee's own words it started when he was fishing the Western Bass Fishing Association on Lake Don pedro.

See Bass Fishing Archives: Birth of the Flippen` Stik-Part I.

It was a 7' 6" Fenwick Stripper Rod