Shorter rods for heavy streamer fishing

[Merlin]

Jim Bartschi

Merlin

[Taylor8]

Why is the shorter rod typically associated with streamer fishing? Do they have benefits elsewhere? Separate thread but Korich mentions shorter rods in a podcast for accuracy, why is that?

[Lasse Karlsson]

Hi Taylor

Not too sure it's only associated with streamers? But shorter rod is less swingweight, so not as hard on the body.
Accuracy, depends on distance, it's a tradeoff for most, shorter rods have the benefit for the caster that the line isn't so far away from you, when delivering, making triangulating easier. put the target far enough away, and the shorter rod makes it harder to reach the distance. Most can notice a difference within a foots length. most also have no clue if the 9 foot rod in their hand is indeed 9 foot and not 8 foot 10 inch or 9 foot 2 inch

Cheers
Lasse

[Taylor8]

Thanks Lasse! All that makes sense. A shorter rod makes it harder to reach the distance because it’s a shorter lever (I presume). That being the case, why don’t we hear much about using a longer rod for longer distances? Say a 10’ single hand rod instead of 9’.

[Lasse Karlsson]

Hi Taylor

Leverage, we're at the wrong end of the lever
Main speed in a cast comes from the rotation we do, the longer the lever, the harder it is to do that rotation, and end it.
In the world championships single hand shootinghead distance event, a 10 foot rod maximum is allowed. Lots of people use 10 footers, me I use a 9 footer as I have matchsticks for arms...

A bit extreme example, it's quite clear that rotation is slowed with a longer lever here


Cheers
Lasse

[Taylor8]

Great video Lasse!

[Paul Arden]

Definitely more than 9’ would be optimal for single handed distance. Depends on body type and line weight of course but for 6/7/8WT I would think 10’/9’6/9’3(?) would be optimal, or something like that. A 9’6 #7 is a single handed cannon. I would choose a 9’6 #7 MED head 7 as my optimal floating line no/wind distance outfit, and then adding a few more feet in head length would be my first adjustment.

I wouldn’t want a shorter rod for streamer fishing, because mending the line is very important for me. But that would also depend on size of river. In fact I think a longer rod would have advantages too.

Cheers, Paul

[Rickard]

The brand A. Jensen has some rods for seatrout fishing that is 8' instead of the common 9'. I think I've read that the idea here is to be able handle more wind without going for a heavier setup. If it really works I have no idea.

[Lasse Karlsson]

Hi Rickard

Or, a 8 foot rod has a smaller diameter blank and looks cooler, and more high end, plus it weighs less than a 9 footer

Cheers
Lasse

[Paul Arden]

The brand A. Jensen has some rods for seatrout fishing that is 8' instead of the common 9'. I think I've read that the idea here is to be able handle more wind without going for a heavier setup. If it really works I have no idea.

That’s interesting.