I am considering purchasing a rod for lighter stuff, mostly light crankbaits. I am considering a Medium Light Crankin' Stick from Bass Pro Shops.

 

This rod is available in 6'0, 6'6", and 7'0". I will of course, go to Bass Pro and check them out, but I don't expect to be able to feel a difference when inspecting them.

What difference will length make on the way they cast light lures? Will the longer rods handle light lures better?

They are rated down to 1/16oz. So, lets say I am throwing right at that weight or slightly above (considering they will actually cast that light, I am actually wanting to be in the 1/8oz - 3/16oz range for shad raps and such), will the longer rod load more and thus, cast better at the light end?

 

My guess would be that they use the same blank for all the rods and just cut off the butt section accordingly. Is the standard way rods are made in a line where they offer the same rod with different lengths, or do they actually use different blanks for each length?

They ALL work. Its all about what you like first and foremost. Do you like shorter or longer rods? Do you need a shorter rod for kayak fishing? Maybe skipping under docks? Or, do you need long distance bombing casting and maybe a longer rod?

 

Rod length selection is really up to you and what you like and what fits you best and your particular fishing needs or wants.

Go to the store with the reel you intend to use - I'm sure BPS will let you put your reel on for testing. Then get a feel for it...try all three rods with that reel and figure the one that feels the best to you.

6'6" is all-around useful length.  I'd go 7' for reservoir fishing, and 6' for river kayak.  

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

I can't see how putting a reel on the rod would allow me to determine the action or how soft the tip is.

 

Yeah, I do like a 6'6" rod. I am primarily a bank fisherman at present, but I am not always going to be so. Eventually, I'll be half bank and half boat. And realistically this will be more of a boat rod.

 

Considering I have almost 0 experience on a bass boat, I don't know which rod length is best suited for fishing from a boat.

 

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

Go to the store with the reel you intend to use - I'm sure BPS will let you put your reel on for testing. Then get a feel for it...try all three rods with that reel and figure the one that feels the best to you.

Putting the reel on the rods will let you feel the balance of the combo and therefore hopefully help you decide. As you pointed out the length maybe and probably is taken from the butt end.

8 minutes ago, Bazoo said:

I can't see how putting a reel on the rod would allow me to determine the action or how soft the tip is.

It's more about the balance than anything.

 

Action and tip softness will be noted in the 'Action' of the rod - X-Fast/Fast/Mod-Fast/Moderate/etc

Glenn's video will be a good one to watch.

Deep divers a longer long,

Tom

For casting light baits, a longer rod is going to be an asset for you.  A shad rap is a bugger to cast distance because they are so light for their size.  A longer rod rod is going to help you get more distance out of it. 

 

To your other question, no, they don’t just cut 6” off the rod. Can you?  Sure.  Most makers don’t though. When you cut a length off a blank, you slow the action.  If you cut 6” off the butt of a blank you will notice a big difference.  

Thanks all. Thanks @casts_by_fly.

I personally like a longer rod in the lighter actions, but the most important thing is how it feels to you.

A lot of details in this video:

 

 

Longer will cast farther.  Shorter most likely will balance better.

 

One way to see how the rods will feel with a casting weight on them is to cobble up a small weight with a plastic clip or pipe cleaner and fasten it to the tiptop of the rods and simulate casts with the reel you plan to use on it.  I would not use a metal snap; the retailer might object to metal contacting the tiptop guide.   I have used a 1/4 oz practice plug, but you can use any weight you want to simulate.

 

I don't know if the same patterns are used for different lengths, but I doubt it.  

23 hours ago, FloridaFishinFool said:

They ALL work. Its all about what you like first and foremost. Do you like shorter or longer rods? Do you need a shorter rod for kayak fishing? Maybe skipping under docks? Or, do you need long distance bombing casting and maybe a longer rod?

 

Rod length selection is really up to you and what you like and what fits you best and your particular fishing needs or wants.

Why do you need a shorter rod for kayak fishing?.. I use nothing shorter than 7'2 on mine... It's all personal preference whether you fishing from boat, shore or kayak.... I prefer longer rods except for my jerkbait setup which is a 6'10...everything else is 7'2 to 7'5..

@MRQturbo answering out of turn, 

here you want 7+'

here, you'll do better with 6-1/2' - yes, that's redfish back

6' is still cozy here

probably do better with 5' here, skipping the overhang.  

Well a couple of reasons. For one is how close my casting arm is to the water surface, and if I am using a baitcast reel, I am a side arm caster. I don't cast well overhead. And the side arm casting means rod tips dipping in the water in a kayak. Longer rods means more of that. I think for ease of casting shorter is better for me.

 

Spinning I can cast fine overhead and might be able to use a longer rod.

On 9/13/2025 at 6:46 PM, Bazoo said:

I can't see how putting a reel on the rod would allow me to determine the action or how soft the tip is.

 

Maybe not, but it will let you feel the balance, how much the butt section length agrees with you, and how the ergonomic features of the rod's reel seat and reel work together.

Several years ago I started upgrading my main gear to 7'6 and 7'5 rods. I primarily fish from the bank so the extra length really helps with long casts.