This month's Bass Master Magazine has a good article on rod lengths and uses.

Anything noteworthy or just sort of what is to be expected for those of that don't have a copy of the article for reference?

The article describes the best rod length for varies techniques and why.

Cleared that right up for ya, Kickerf

I read it and got "depends on what you're doing". I understand the basics of geometry and what/why a longer rod can benefit (or not). Anyway, not a huge time sink reading it.

What I got out of this article was one word "balance".  Gary Dobyns has been preaching, use the rod length balanced for the presentation and adds weight to achieve that balance. Line type and lure weigh dramatically affect rod balance, Gary confirmed what we have been saying use rod makers nominal line/lure weight to achieve the sweet spot the rod is designed for avioding the extreme min/max. After reading this the title of the article about rod length got lost or comes down what we already know.

Tom 

The title could have been, The Factors Of Rod Design And Length Variation.  Tom, that was a great post. You were right on. It was also just the right length.

I found the article worth reading.  Agree that "balance" was a key concept, and not just how the weight is distributed...

 

I fly fish a bunch, for fish all the way up to musky, and balance between rod, reel, line and fly is critical...and the bigger the fly the more important it is.

 

Gear rods aren't really any different, but there are so many more combinations and we tend to push the limits more...which isn't a good thing.