I am looking at a fast action and medium power, lure weight 1/4-5/8 oz and 8-14 lb line.

I am trying to decide which of the 2 lengths would be more suitable for an all around rod for shore fishing and/or from boat. 

And if one length is better for Senkos, light jigs and cranks/topwater.

From shore the extra length from the 7' will help you cast further.  For topwaters a bit of a shorter rod is usually easier to handle.  It's really personal preference... and it also depends on your height (for comfort), but I would say that for a general purpose rod I'd stick with the 7'

From shore the extra length from the 7' will help you cast further. For topwaters a bit of a shorter rod is usually easier to handle. It's really personal preference... and it also depends on your height (for comfort), but I would say that for a general purpose rod I'd stick with the 7'

Exactly...

8-)

I think it really depends upon the conditions where you fish most frequently.

In my situation, 6'6" is the compromise length because I usually cast under, in-between and over brush/trees and other obstacles at the shore's edge. Because I now have quality 5'6" casting and 6'0" spinning rods dedicated for tight spaces, I am beginning to acquire longer rods for the open spaces. However, If I fished primarily from docks and open bank areas, I'd definitely favor the longer rod.

Leon

I have found that if I can only have one rod with me (whether I am shore fishing or fishing from a boat with limited space onboard), I take a 6'6" rod that has a fast action with a line rating of 10 - 17 lbs. and a lure rating of 1/4 - 3/4 oz. I feel that rod can handle jerkbaits to spinnerbaits to topwater to t-rig plastics to jigs to shallow/medium running crankbaits. I like the shorter length (as opposed to a 7' length), because I like a shorter rod for jerkbaits, topwater, and spinnerbait applications. I like a longer rod for the other applications I mentioned, but I feel I can fish a t-rig worm just as effectively with a 6'6" rod as I can a 7' rod, but I don't feel I can work a topwater (or jerkbait) as effectively with a 7' rod. Therefore, I feel I lose the least in performance with a 6'6" rod. I don't know if any of that makes sense, because I myself started to get confused as I was typing this.

The only noticable difference by me with the 7' rods (other than they cast farther) is that I have 2 rods less than 7' (6'5" & 6'8") and after using the 7' rods a lot, when I pickup the shorter rods it feels like somethings missing.  I prefer the longer fishing rods most of the time but its just a personal thing.

Makes perfect sense to me. My jekbait/ topwater

rod is an Avid AVC66MF. Most of my other rods

are 7'.

;D ;D ;D

I don't feel I can work a topwater (or jerkbait) as effectively with a 7' rod. Therefore, I feel I lose the least in performance with a 6'6" rod.

At 5'7" I find that tipdown techniques are definately easier with a shorter rod when trying to work the tip around obstacles at the waters edge

For open water fishing I'll go with a 7 footer, if I'm working in close to cover I'll go with the 6'6".

    T

i have one 6'6 MH/F rod that i can use for all applications, i love it. for some reason i cant find the same model in a 6'6 anymore, theyre all 7'

You could think outside the box and look at a 6'8"-6'10" rod, like St Croixs Mojo/Avid 6'8"Mxf-suppose to be a topwater rod but should toss small jigs or senkos just fine.

Rods seem to get longer every decade or so...Think im gonna get ahead of the game and get some 9 footers, one day they will be all the rage and i wont have to re-buy! :

Rods seem to get longer every decade or so...Think im gonna get ahead of the game and get some 9 footers, one day they will be all the rage and i wont have to re-buy! :

I keep one 8-footer onboard, just in case someone loses a hat 8-)

Roger

6'6" is more versatile to me. you can work lures with the tip up or down. i think 6'8" is a nice size.

youre gonna get many different answers. it really depends on how you fish, what lures youre fishing and what feels better to you.

My 3 cents. I fish the shore 99% of the time, if you don't have obsticels like overhanging trees ect, a 7' makes sense because of the longer cast's. Otherwise go shorter if need be...

I only have 1 rod that 6'6", my spinning rig, all the rest are 7'-7'6" and 7'11"..