What are 5'6" rods typically used to try to catch? With a Daiwa spinning reel could this be a bass rod? Or is this length rod more suited for panfish? Does it depend on what bait/lure I am fishing?

They used to be really popular for bass fishing, then people started using longer rods.

What action and ratings are marked on it? That'll tell you what you can use it for. 5'6" is ideal for skipping soft plastics under branches and docks.

I used a 5'6" daiwa samurai spinning combo (light/ fast) for several months and caught a few hundred bass, including a 6 lb-er and a 5 lb-er and a few 3 lb-ers before the bait and gear monkeys found me

Try to think more in terms of what kind of bait would work well with the rod. That will lead you to the species you'll want to target. Post the specs marked on the rod and you'll get more helpful suggestions.

A 5'-6" rod is good for tight quarters I'd use a medium to medium heavy action.

Tight Lines

Pa Angler

5' 6" pistol grip rods are still pretty popular rods for making short, accurate casts with spinnerbaits in close quarters.

Fishing!!!

5 1/2 to 6' rods used to be the standard for bass fishing.  Kinda hard to find them these days.  They would work great for placing accurate casts in thick cover with spinnerbaits and shallow cranks.  Don't think I'd want to go back to one for worming....or anything else for that matter ;D

5' 6" pistol grip rods are still pretty popular rods for making short, accurate casts with spinnerbaits in close quarters.

This^. I'm pretty much exclusively a shore-bound angler, and I use a couple of 5 1/2' rods. THey're just the ticket in areas where a longer rod would be impossible to cast such as areas with overhanging tree branches. I can also fit a 5 1/2' rod in the cab of my Dakota pickup without bending it.

Tom

I have a 5'6" light action rod that I keep in my car for spontaneous fishing trips.  It is great for smaller, light weight lures.  There isn't any hook setting power, but it is fun when you do hook up with a big fish.  The last fish I caught this fall was a 25" northern, and it was a real fun fight on that light rod!

I actually use a pistol grip casting rod in this size for working jigging spoons and other similar baits in and around deep docks.  Easy to control in tight quarters.

I have a 5-6 light action that I use when Im fishing out my small inflatable.  It doesnt take up much space and it allows me to make accurate casts.  Its also a ton of fun when you hook into a decent one.

A 5'-6" rod is good for tight quarters I'd use a medium to medium heavy action.

Tight Lines

Pa Angler

x2 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have two 5'6" Heavy rods with pistol grips for pitching in close quarters and bank fishing in heavy cover. I love them!

Ronnie

I put Zebco 33's on a couple old 5'6" rods I had from the 80's/90's and give them to my kids to use.  I just hate the grip and lack of leverage.  It feels too different for me from my other baitcast outfits.  JMHO.

It's actually the 5'6" Daiwa Samurai spinning combo that someone mentioned.  All I can find marked on the rod is "Model No SA F562L 5'6" Light Lure:1/16-3/8ox. Line: 2-8 lb.

So I'm seeing that I should focus on spinnerbaits and crankbaits with this rod/reel combo? 

Thanks, I'm fairly new to all of this overall. 

That rod would be great for flicking light unweighted plastics under docks.

I use a 5'6" Premier M spinning rod for skipping docks.

Thanks, all. Any other thoughts on what to use with it since I'm currently a bank/shore fisher?

It's actually the 5'6" Daiwa Samurai spinning combo that someone mentioned. All I can find marked on the rod is "Model No SA F562L 5'6" Light Lure:1/16-3/8ox. Line: 2-8 lb.

So I'm seeing that I should focus on spinnerbaits and crankbaits with this rod/reel combo?

Thanks, I'm fairly new to all of this overall.

Boy oh boy, that's still my favorite rod! Did you get it from Dick's too?

I used it for everything except plastics though. Not enough sensitivity, not enough hook-setting power. Put on your favorite 6lb line, you should be good until the spawn is over; I know I was.

EDIT:

Since you mention you're "fairly new", let me tell you what I did.

Until the spawn is done, a lot of bass will be shallow. Agreed, most of them won't be very big; but in those days I was happy to catch a bass of any size.

I got myself one floating Rapala, one X-Rap, a couple of Rebel poppers, a couple of inline spinners; all in the weight range of 1/4 oz or so. The color didn't matter to me, I just bought what I figured the fish could/ would see: lighter colors for bright days, darker colors for cloudy. I fished the hell out of these few lures until I lost them.

Find yourself the north bank of your lake, and do the top-middle-bottom approach. Look out for structures, cast as close to it as you dare to, and retrieve. Cast and wind with deadsticks and directional changes in between.

Once you catch a few, you'll start figuring it out.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Yep, wife actually picked it up for me at Dick's - super cheap.  I think I'll give it some 6 or 8 lb and get to crankbaitin once it warms up a little.  Am excited to bring two rods already rigged and not have to switch back and forth while fishing and keeping my daughter straight with her line!

Yep, wife actually picked it up for me at Dick's - super cheap. I think I'll give it some 6 or 8 lb and get to crankbaitin once it warms up a little. Am excited to bring two rods already rigged and not have to switch back and forth while fishing and keeping my daughter straight with her line!

Don't wait for the weather to warm up. In colder weather, just make your pauses a bit longer.

Sounds good, thanks deep.