You most often hear people talking about action. How does rod length come into play? And is it the same for casting and spinning?

Rod length effects accuracy distance and leverage.

Short rods are more accurate and good in tight spots. Longer rods can get good leverage on a crankbait and wing it a mile. But it's harder to pinpoint your casts.

Longer rods are also good for pitching and flipping as you can reach further towards your target making less splash and being more accurate.

Short rods are good for techniques where you work slack like jerkbaits and topwater. Short rod won't slap the water surface.

Longer spinning rods can be used for dropshot as you can reach them further from boat when video game fishing.

Rod length effects accuracy distance and leverage.

Short rods are more accurate and good in tight spots. Longer rods can get good leverage on a crankbait and wing it a mile. But it's harder to pinpoint your casts.

Longer rods are also good for pitching and flipping as you can reach further towards your target making less splash and being more accurate.

Short rods are good for techniques where you work slack like jerkbaits and topwater. Short rod won't slap the water surface.

Longer spinning rods can be used for dropshot as you can reach them further from boat when video game fishing.

This sums it up nicely.

Longer spinning rods can be used for dropshot as you can reach them further from boat when video game fishing.

They also work better for fishin' floats to keep more line off the water for better control.

Longer rods 7'+....

Pros- longer casts, better hook sets, better for deep diving crankbaits, swimbaits, big jigs, flipping and pitching, and winching fish out of cover.

Cons- not as light or balanced, accuracy is not as good, can be a pain for fishing in close quarters (creek fishing in canoes, bank fishing in spots where space is limited), generally cost more.

Shorter rods <7'.....

Pros and cons - take all the pros and cons of the longer rods and reverse them.