Hey guys. I have been fishing for a couple years so am basically a newbie. I'm setting up my first casting rig and am trying to pair a pole with a Curado. I was in Gander Mtn the other day and picked up a St Croix AVC66MHF on clearance for $149 out the door. Good deal, but I am wondering if I would prefer a 7'. I have 2 6'6" spinning. I know it is somewhat preference, but my preferences are undeveloped. For soft baits, is there a length, power, action that is "typically" preferred?

You actually answered your own question. I personally like the 6'6" rods.

I have used a 7' spinning a few times. I liked it better than mine primarily, I think, because it had more backbone than mine. Hook sets were great, distance casting was a little easier. I am not sure what I liked about it. The action/power, or its length. Most rods will feel better than what I have, so I don't know if I'll be missing out on anything by not going with what "seems" to be the more commonly liked 7'.

6'6'' is way too short...send it to me and Ill give you your money back!

Jeff

I actually prefer a 6'6" for things like plastics and spinnerbaits . They seem to be a little more accurate on the cast. I like 7+ footers for flipping/pitching , and cranking . It's just personal preference , if you ask me.

You actually answered your own question. I personally like the 6'6" rods.

I agree. With all the choices we have, exspecially one-piece rods, it comes down to your own preferance. I still use an older 6'6" for topwater, but most of my newer rods are 7' or better.

It's all about preference. When making a recommendation here

at BassResource, I always say " 6 1/2" or 7' ". I have an Avid

AVS66MLF and AVC66MF (for jerkbaits). All my other rods are

7' or longer.

8-)

I have an Avid

AVS66MLF and AVC66MF (for jerkbaits). All my other rods are

7' or longer.

A few votes for 6'6" and a few for 7'. :-/ How about action/power. I need to learn some new techniques but soft baits (primarily TX rig) is easy and I always catch stuff. So this will be my soft bait set up.

If you fish open water use the longer rod, it gives you better leverage & moves more line on a hook set. M/H for your plastics.

Most people prefer MHF, but I prefer spinning tackle,

MF for weightless presentations. Specifically, St. Croix

ES70MF. For weighed techniques I fish a baitcaster, HF,

specifically, G.Loomis GLX MBR844C.

8-)

7' rods will give you more distance cast. 6'6" will be shorter cast but more accurate.

I like MHF/MHXF for the majority of techniques. Anything weightless or less than 1/4oz., I prefer a MF spinning setup.

I usually fish within 50' of the boat. Is this normal? When do people usually want to make longer casts?

I usually fish within 50' of the boat. Is this normal? When do people usually want to make longer casts?

Casting cranks and fishing from the shore.

I use 5',  5'5'', 6', 6'6'' and 7' rods all the time.  My shorter rods are for light line and smaller inline spinners(1/4oz) and small spinnerbaits (1/8oz).  My next rods 6' to 6'6'' are for heavier spinnerbaits, cranks and worm/plastics. My 7' rod is for my topwater lures.  I fish from shore with no boat but i do cast out there farther than most fisherman.  I look silly carrying all the rods when shore fishing but each reel, each rod and lure requires a different line weight and rod action to get the best results. You can't put an ultra light lure on a 6' rod.    Bill