Spinning Rod Lgth

[Roger]

Hi:
I am interested in purchasing one or two spinning rods in the near future. I've been a musky fisherman since the early 1960's but it's beginning to be a lot of work for an old duffer like me. I'm not up to the latest on spinning equipment for walleyes's etc. What action and length rod's would you recommend for walleyes, smallouth, crappies, etc. I like the Shimano Spirex reel very much. I'm also fond of the St. Croix line of rods. Would appreciate any advice you fellows can give me on this.

Than you very much.

Roger

[hunter]

I like a 6'6" lite fast rod for lindy rigs, a 5' 6" medium fast rod for jigs and a 7' meduim heavy rod for bottom bouncers and trolling. St. Croix makes a good product. If you are willing to spend a little more money the Fenwick Techna AV rods are worth every penny (24,500 of them).

[Tommy Mac]

Hi Roger,
I am sure that you will get a lot of different answers to this question. Here is my opinion. The best all around rod length for walleye fishing for me is a 6 footer. Why? It ballances very nice with the smaller walleye sized reels. When you are in the boat for a long days fishing it is easy to hold in your hand all day. I like using co-polimer (mono) fishing line. The six foot medium action high quality spinning rods offer a strong backbone and a fast but not to fast tip that will allow you to get good hook setting power with a lot of line out, (feeding a finicky 'eye a crawler or leech for 10 to 15 seconds while drifting or trolling).
For Smallies and working smaller jigs, 1/32 and 1/16 oz., I like a 6' medium light rod.

The six and a half foot rods are a little faster in the tip, given the same manufacturer and power rating. Some very good fisherman prefer them. I would rather hang on to a good six footer any day.

The 7 foot rods got their claim to fame on lake Mille Lacs. The purpose was to hold your sinker just above bottom (mud flats) while fishing as verticle as possible. They work great for this. They allow you to use a heavyier weight (3/8 - 1/2 oz.) and know where you are in relation to the bottom. The 7'er also shine's with the super braids such as fireline for all other types of fishing. Thats my 2 cents worth. Drop me a line if I can be of more help. Tom

[dlarson]

I just purchased a 7' rod for most of my fishing. You mentioned that you are older. The longer rod gives you more sweep to set the hook. The first reply you recieved was the most accurate for all types of fishing. If it is only one rod go 6'6". I purchased a St. Croix, very nice feel. I had a 6' so I purchased a longer one for fishing bass ans walleye.

[Fin Addict]

I have rods from 5'4" to 10'6". If I could only have one, it would be 6'6". Long enough for a good hook set and to bring a long leader to net but not so long as to be heavy and out of balance. Get a matched combo and go w/ what feels good to you.