I have 10 rods now in my arsenal and they are all 6'6". I just prefer the feel of this length for all of my applications. Is there really that much of an advantage to using 7' and over for flipping, punching,etc. I flip and punch with my 6'6" rods with no problems what so ever. Just wondering if I need to expand my range of equipt or not.

Nope.

Fish what you are comfortable with.

8-)

A longer rod will help with casting distance and leverage for hooksetting especially at a distance.

Nope.

Fish what you are comfortable with.

8-)

Amen to that!

I fish with all 6' rods (mainly cause I mostly shore fish) and they work great for me.

When I buy a boat (after xmas if AT&T buys my employer) then I will buy 7' rods.

I was a 6'6" user for years.  I recently got a few 7's and love them.  It seems like I get a few extra yards. Mostly use them from the boat though.  For the shore in pads and stuff I still use the 6'6"ers.  

Nope.

Fish what you are comfortable with.

8-)

Amen to that!

I fish with all 6' rods (mainly cause I mostly shore fish) and they work great for me.

When I buy a boat (after xmas if AT&T buys my employer) then I will buy 7' rods.

hehe Sorry steez, felt like I plagerized u.  Didn't see ur post.  Funny it's the same.

 Most all of my fishing has been done from the bank and REALLY overgrown banks at that. Like the other members said, shorter rods are a lot more forgiving in those situations. I'm fairly tall (6'4") with 6" arm reach (picture a 210lb spider monkey ;D) and still feel more comfortable with 6' to 6 1/2' rods. I use 5 1/2' for topwater. Having said all that, if you can dedicate 1 set-up to flippin' and pitchin', that would the only time I think a 7' or more would be that much better ...

skillet

Most all of my fishing has been done from the bank and REALLY overgrown banks at that. Like the other members said, shorter rods are a lot more forgiving in those situations. I'm fairly tall (6'4") with 6" arm reach (picture a 210lb spider monkey ;D) and still feel more comfortable with 6' to 6 1/2' rods. I use 5 1/2' for topwater. Having said all that, if you can dedicate 1 set-up to flippin' and pitchin', that would the only time I think a 7' or more would be that much better ...

skillet

6"? I'm picturing a t-rex rather than a spider monkey. ;D

A longer rod will help with casting distance and leverage for hooksetting especially at a distance.

With an identical hook set, a longer rod will cover more distance than a shorter rod, but it will require more effort (force) from the hook setter.  You actually get more leverage out of a shorter rod.  See this thread:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1250045298/7#7

A longer rod will help with casting distance and leverage for hooksetting especially at a distance.

With an identical hook set, a longer rod will cover more distance than a shorter rod, but it will require more effort (force) from the hook setter. You actually get more leverage out of a shorter rod. See this thread:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1250045298/7#7

Exactly.

Rod length is a seesaw exchange between power and speed.

The shorter the rod, the greater the power, but the longer the rod, the greater the speed.

Believe it or not, "speed" is more important than power when setting the hook, hence a longer rod.

However, if you're using non-stretch line (braid), extra-speed is not needed and tends to be counterproductive.

Roger

I don't use any rods under 7' except my top water rod. I am 6' 2" tall so longer rods feel better to me!

10 rods at 6'6"?  Mix it up a little, no wait, too late now. Your fine.

 my mistake, TheHammer84 ;D! Can't get away with nuthin' around here ...

skillet