I was sifting around the basement today and came across a few Shimano 5'6" casting rods which I've had for 20 years or more and probably haven't used for over 15. It got me thinking.....is anyone using the short rods anymore?

I have a cheap 5'6" spinning rod I use for dock skipping. Otherwise my shortest is 6'6".

I have some 5'6" pistol grip rods. The shortest rod that I use on a regular basis is a 6 footer.

I have some ultra light rods that are 5'-0" long.  The shortest rod I use while bass fishing is 6'-6".

I  use 2 5'6" pistol grip rods almost every day. But I walk the dog for at least 95% of my fishing.  Hate using any other kind of rod. Im getting ready for a trip to Lake O this week and am having a hard time putting together long rod outfits, I hate them so much!

Absolutely!  I use pistol grip 5'6 rods for tight work.  Casting docks and trees with precision is much easier with these than 7'6 rods.  The short rods aren't replacements by any means, just another tool in the box.  After 3-4 hours of casting at close range, the lighter gear helps with fatigue also.  I use the shortys for light spinnerbaits and bank-beating crankbaits.  I also have full sized rods for long casting the same baits.  The pistol grip rod made a slight comeback in the last couple years.

 

FL

I have four casting rods under 6' - two are pistol grip (5' and 5'6") that I don't use at all (they were really intended for use by my wife with spin-cast reels). Then, I have a 5'6" and a 5'9" straight-grip that see more use. The 5'9" is a Crucial MH and is a nifty close-quarters spinnerbait/chatterbait rod.

 

Still in the category of "short" (by todays standards), I have three 6' straight-grip casting rods that get used quite often (small water/close quarters/overhanging trees in the boat or bank).

I've got a few 6' rods that I use for close quarter stuff as well as top waters. I know they're short by today's standards but I still like them. They help with casting accuracy as well.

I think most of us that have been fishing for more than a decade or so either had or still has at least one 5'6" pistol grip rod.  I still have and use two of them, one for target casting (I can't pitch worth a you know what) the other is my Spook rod. 

I have 2   loomis 6' rods That I use for fishing out of my inflatable pontoon much easier for me to hit under trees and along the bank...   

I like using the 5'6 rod for spooks. Other than that, its at least 6'9 for me.

I used mine in the past for tight target casting and they worked great. For some reason I got away from using them for years. Great thought of using the 5'6" as a spook rod. I will definitely give that a try this season.

I have an older 6' Lew's Speed Stick that I use for throwing chatter baits, buzz baits and spooks around docks.