Is it true that you can only use rods 8ft or less in tournies?

If so, whats the reasoning behind it?

Thanks

Greg

Yes, it always was a rule, but I just scanned the FLW and B.A.S.S. websites so I could copy and paste that rule and I didn't see it.

I am not really sure why the rule was ever put in place. I could only speculate.

JT Bagwell

Yea.. I have a 9ft6 rod that I think would be perfect for jigs and some plastics.

I don't know the official reason, but I wonder if it was a safety issue.  Two guys in a bass boat with rods over 8 feet could get a little scary!!

I asked about it elsewhere, and most said it was for safety reasons.  Think about two guys in a 17' bass boat (the standard, back in the day) with 8' rods, and you'll see why they have the rule.

Someone also said that it was put into place to prevent guys from using huge flipping poles having an unfair advantage.  Imagine the damage you could do with a 12' rod, fixed length of line, and a jig.

Someone also said that it was put into place to prevent guys from using huge flipping poles having an unfair advantage. Imagine the damage you could do with a 12' rod, fixed length of line, and a jig.

That was why, cant remember who the first was but I know Gary Klein had something to do with it as well.

I seem to recall it not being "flipping," but involved swatting the water with a pork leech or something.  Sort of like burning a fluke in place.

it is funny, in FLW College fishing there is no such rule. I think people would swat the water with 12 -15 ft poles with small baits and catch big fish

Dee Thomas was the guy that first started everything with a jig and eel and a 14 foot pole. The length of the pole allowed him to stay so far off the cover and still be extremely accurate. Other anglers saw it as an unfair advantage (cause he was doing "too" well with it) so they began putting restrictions on the rod length.

Mottfia

Dee Thomas was the guy that first started everything with a jig and eel and a 14 foot pole. The length of the pole allowed him to stay so far off the cover and still be extremely accurate. Other anglers saw it as an unfair advantage (cause he was doing "too" well with it) so they began putting restrictions on the rod length.

Mottfia

Thanks, had a brain freeze.

I knew someone would know the back story - thanks Mottfia  

how long was the new crankbait rod KVD used last year? I thought it was over eight foot, he had it for one tournament that he was useing cranks ALL day.

how long was the new crankbait rod KVD used last year? I thought it was over eight foot, he had it for one tournament that he was useing cranks ALL day.

KVD's rod was 7'10" long.

That technique of using a cane pole, a primitive pork skin lures, & doing a figure 8s or circles started in the Deep South during the 1920-1930s so I'm quite sure that's before Dee Thomas was even born.

1920: When fishing Jordan Lake in Wisconsin and finding no natural frogs to use as bait, Alan P. Jones and Urban Schreiner head to the Oxford butcher shop, pick up some pork back fat, and carve the first pork frogs. Two years later, they form the Uncle Josh Bait Co.

Dee Thomas's first B.A.S.S. tournament was the ARKANSAS INVITATIONAL 04/02/1975

"Jigger fishing" Doodle-Socking", or "Skittering"

A very long fishing pole that is used with a very short and very heavy line, usually a foot or less of 50 lb test or heavier. Then a large lure or bait is attached and manually worked around the shoreline and cover. In deep cover, the lure or bait can be presented by placing the tip of the fishing pole into the water.  

This technique is still used today for catching Crappie & Tuna

thats the dumbest rule i have ever heard of. I honestly didnt know there was length restrictions.

thats the dumbest rule i have ever heard of. I honestly didnt know there was length restrictions.

Some would say the same about no trolling.

Along the same topic:  Why does BASS not allow fly rods even if they are less than 8ft.  If I'm not mistaken, I believe FLW does allow sub 8ft. fly rods.  I fish in a BASS fed club and we do not allow fly rods cause BASS does not.  I'm just curious as to why they don't.  Thanks for any info.

-D

Down South alot of tournaments have a rule. No Jiggerpole Fishing. (That counts me and my 20 foot pole with 8 inches of line out.)

I was at a fishing tackle flee market the other day and found an 8'6" G.loomis steelhead casting rod for 30$...one of my best finds ever...Most of the tournies I do have no rod length restrictions so it looks like I have myself a new little N launcher...and launch she does, I can crank 3 separate pieces of structure all in the same cast.