Does Size Matter? In Fishing Rods, That Is!

Bait gets fish to bite, but the very rod it hangs from is just as important. A fishing rod is every angler’s bread and butter—get rid of it, and fishing won’t be as fun as it usually is.

But how can you find the perfect rod for you? One primary consideration is size or length. Although the most common recommendation is around 7 ft. for beginner anglers, it’s good to know the ins and outs of fishing rod length to achieve a perfect fit. Size does matter when it comes to rods, and here’s why.

Size and situation

With rods ranging from 4 to 15 feet, the simple answer is that rod sizes are largely (no pun intended) situational. As a rule of thumb, rod length determines the distance in which you can cast. Of course, shorter rods come with shorter distances, while longer rods can cover longer distances.

This means that in small bodies of water, where you’re up close and personal with fish, shorter rods work best. Meanwhile, longer rods are ideal for far-reaching waters.

You can get other ideas just from that fact. Shorter rods are lighter and easier, so they can up your win rate when fighting big fish. Use them when you need to save space when needed. Then, just think the opposite when it comes to longer rods.

It's not all about length, though, because thickness matters as well. If you're the type who loves lunkers, short but thick rods would serve you well. They would generally give you a better shot against stronger fish.

Simple enough, right? But if you want to learn the nitty-gritty as well, read on.

Four more considerations

There are four things to consider when choosing between rod lengths: accuracy, distance, comfort, and leverage.

Accuracy and rod sizes are straightforward. The shorter they are, the more accurate your cast can be, and the longer they are, the less accurate. Naturally, distance plays a huge part here, as it’s much more difficult to maneuver something the farther out it is. So if you think snagging would be a problem where you’re fishing, go short, around 6 ft. or less.

As for distance, well, we’ve talked a little about it earlier. But to add, deciding on rod length with distance as a consideration isn’t really black and white. If you have a personal preference casting longer distances but are willing to sacrifice accuracy, then by all means, go for it!

Similarly, if the fish you want to catch doesn’t really require you to cast far, then a shorter rod would do just fine. Think of the distance, yes, but get a feel of what you think you like as well.

Which brings us to our next consideration: comfort. Your fishing rod is your best bud during trips. No matter what this article (or any other person) says, stick to where you’re comfortable. After all, blogs like this one are only here to help you decide. Of course, if you’re a bit short on height, you might want to consider a shorter rod to begin with.

Last but not the least, though, is leverage. Longer rods naturally have heavier actions as they can flex less than lighter rods, so make sure you also take this into account.