My fishing partner keeps telling me that 7' the best rod length and a recent *** video on the subject got me thinking. If you could only have one rod length to do everything, what would it be?

6'8"

  Manufacturers end up concentrating on what the public buys. For the average bass fisherman, that looks to be right around 7'. Yes, there are specialist actions and lengths. But the average Joe seems to like that 7' category.

   And I must admit, I'm not averse to it myself. I have rods from 6' up to 8', but most are 7'. They seem satisfactory.     jj

3 hours ago, garroyo130 said:

6'8"

A 6'8-10" rod is best if you can only have 1 or 2 rods.

i prefer 7'5 or 7'6. 

I like a 7 as long as it's light enough; if I could only have 1 length

i think it actually depends on your height. If you're 6'2", then yes. if you're 5'4", then no.

I'm 6'1", and every one of my rods, both spinning and baitcasting, are between 6'10" & 7'4".

Anything over 7' is going to be extremely hard to walk a lure, and anything too much shorter is going to sacrifice casting distance and maybe some hookset power when that comes into play. I'm 6'3" and I could argue that 6'10" is the best rod for any scenario because walking a lure is still easier on 6'10" and is easier to cast around brush, but then again I might prefer a 7' rod the majority of the time as well.

I have favorite casting rods from 6'6" to 7'6".  One of my favorite spinning rods is 6'.

Depends where I'm fishing, but the broadest brush I can use to paint this picture is: 

7' from a boat or open shoreline.

6' from a kayak or tree filled shoreline.

7' seems to be the new 6'

Only one rod for whatever I'm doing?  Yup, 7 foot.

6-8 to 7-3 is the new 6-8 to 7-3.

 

Back in 90s, we had 6, 6-6, 7, and 7-6.  For those times one didn't quite fit, we now have choices of all sorts of sizes.  Not sure what "7 is best means."  Use what works for you.  If I was limited to one size, I'd go 6-8, and then eventually quit fishing.

It is for me except for jerk baits, then it is 6'6".

7' is the most popular Rod length the past decade, 7'3" to 7'4" seems to be gaining in popularity the past few years for MH /fast baitcasting rods.

My personal favorite baitcasting rods are 6'10" the past 2 decades.

Tom

7'3 for me. 

I do not limit myself to 1 length rod. I have rods from 5'6" to 7'6".  It depends on what I am doing on what rod I am using. My boat has 3 rod lockers so I carry plenty of choices.

I want my 6' pistol grip back.  That rod was cool, like a 7', but with a short handle.

I've always preferred longer rods, even since the later 70's.  I like the 7-3 overall but would agree, if there was one length only available it would be a seven footer.  

Only one rod? Easy gimmie a 6'6 all day

My 6' 10" Legend Bass feels just about right for me. I've got shorter and longer and those feel good too. I guess it's what I use most that feels the best.

I would choose a 7'3". Shorter than my longest and longer than my shortest. I've done alot of things with a 7ft. Rod so I know I don't like punching and frogging with one that short.

I would also have to go with a 6'6" rod. I also use several 6' rods. 6'6" are the longest rods I own. 

@Log Catcher- I treasure accuracy over distance ?

Many of my rods are Duckett Micro Magic, 6'6" to 7'11";  I wish I could get the same rod in a 6' pistol grip.