Anybody casting a 8 or 10 foot spinning rod

[CrappiePappy]

Big Ed ... IMHO there's a certain trade off in a 7' vs 9' rod. Even with the same action/speed, they'll cast differently. Even in the same brand/model, a 2' difference in length can be dramatic in function & feel. And, in any case, you always have to consider the reel being used, as well as how it balances with the rod you select.

My personal experience has been that I can basically cast a 1/16oz jig about the same distance, whether I'm using a 5'6" - 6'6" - or 7' or 8' and probably even my 9' rod ... depending on what reel I have on that rod. Wide spool or "longcast" spool reels are going to allow for greater distance than a UL size reel.
The biggest difference in a "long" rod vs a shorter rod, is in the ability to pick up slack line on a long distance hook set.

My main casting rod, for 1/32-1/16oz jigs, is a 6'6" ESP PowerLite rod & Shimano Aero 1000 reel with 6lb test Vicious Panfish copoly line. It replaced a 7' Sam Heaton Sig Series rod. Both are IM6 ... but the ESP is a "very fast action" tip rod, whereas the Sam Heaton has a parabolic bend (softer action). I'm not aware of any loss of casting distance using the shorter rod, even though the ESP has micro guides. The fast tip action of the ESP will "whip" the jig, whereas the Sam Heaton's softer action seemed to "lob" the jig.

It all boils down to personal preference, in the end, but hands on comparison (if possible) is a far better judge than someone else's opinion.

... cp

[Slabs4Dinner]

just the thread I was looking for. thanks BigEdCT

[rnvinc]

I use the "parabolic bend" Pappy refers to of the SHSS 9' to "shoot" the jig in windier conditions ...

Overhand casts with wind just creates a huge bow in the line as the jig travels thru the air ... Whereas "shooting" the jig keeps the line closer to the water where it won't catch as much wind ...

With the "parabolic bend" of the SHSS 9' I can "shoot" my 1/16oz jig just about as far as I can overhand cast that same jig ...(and even farther than casting if the wind is blowing at all)...

Rickie

[bigfish316]

Big Ed ... IMHO there's a certain trade off in a 7' vs 9' rod. Even with the same action/speed, they'll cast differently. Even in the same brand/model, a 2' difference in length can be dramatic in function & feel. And, in any case, you always have to consider the reel being used, as well as how it balances with the rod you select.

My personal experience has been that I can basically cast a 1/16oz jig about the same distance, whether I'm using a 5'6" - 6'6" - or 7' or 8' and probably even my 9' rod ... depending on what reel I have on that rod. Wide spool or "longcast" spool reels are going to allow for greater distance than a UL size reel.
The biggest difference in a "long" rod vs a shorter rod, is in the ability to pick up slack line on a long distance hook set.

My main casting rod, for 1/32-1/16oz jigs, is a 6'6" ESP PowerLite rod & Shimano Aero 1000 reel with 6lb test Vicious Panfish copoly line. It replaced a 7' Sam Heaton Sig Series rod. Both are IM6 ... but the ESP is a "very fast action" tip rod, whereas the Sam Heaton has a parabolic bend (softer action). I'm not aware of any loss of casting distance using the shorter rod, even though the ESP has micro guides. The fast tip action of the ESP will "whip" the jig, whereas the Sam Heaton's softer action seemed to "lob" the jig.

It all boils down to personal preference, in the end, but hands on comparison (if possible) is a far better judge than someone else's opinion.

... cp

what he said

[SeaRay]

Have any of you tried the Nanofil line? Supposedly it increases casting distance on light lures a good bit. I was hoping someone could verify this before I drop $20 on a spool of line.

[shadboy]

9' Shakespeare graphite crappie hunter is cheap and top notch

[XXXXX]

I am looking for a longer ultralight spinning rod to use for trout fishing, well crappie and panfish too. While I have several now the longest is 5' 6" and casting range is limited. I have seen several that are 8 - 10 feet and was wondering if anyone here has used a longer rod for tossing small (1/32, 1/16 or 1/8oz) jigs or other lures. We have several stocked ponds and reaching the trout on a short light rod is proving to be a challenge. I usually fish with 4 lb flouro on a spinning reel but would consider braid to increase casting distance.
Can anyone give an estimate on how much further each foot of rod will help in casting distance?

I'd suggest looking at the St. Croix Panfish Series, the 8' rod to be specific. I can cast pretty far with mine. I am currently using 6# Nanofil spooled onto a Shimano Stradic CI4 1000 reel. This setup is nice! My only gripe is I like a bit faster line pickup and I might switch to a 2500 series reel later on.

If you want, I can do some test casts with various size weights and measure the distance of each cast.

There should be many other rods out there as well. I've also got the 7' St. Croix Panfish Series rod and don't like it as much. I want to buy the 9' version, but if felt a bit whippy the last time I played with it, so it might not cast as far. I'd stay away from the 10' or 11' version for casting. I own two of the 11' rods and I will only use those for jigging deep brush and such for crappie.

If you want something custom, you can look into having a flyrod blank tied up into a spinning rod configuration. I almost always do this for my steelhead fishing in Michigan. Not cheap, but makes for a sweet rod.

[wicklundrh]

I build my own rods so I am able to customize the length and action to whatever I want.

Just so you know, in the rod world, this parabolic word people use is refered to action. In actual terms you have: slow (very whippy), moderate slow, moderate, moderate fast, fast, and extra fast. Couple that with rod weight and each action does different things on different weights.

Rod companies don't manufacture each rod in every action. Sometimes it is difficult to find what you want. My steelhead rods get used alot in tons of applications.

[BuckeyeKdog]

I have an 8-1/2' Okuma UL that I use creek fishing and find that with a 1/32oz jig 50 -75 feet is not an issue with 4# fluoro