Rod Length by Region

[sinktip]

A memebr PM'ed me today wondering if there was a marked difference in rod length preferences between the Northwest and GL steel chasers. After pondering the "how to know" question for a bit, I came up with this little poll. I know there is probably not enough choices but it is what it is.

(Vote in the region you fish the most)

[Steve Egge]

Hey Tip ....

What do they have in the GL region? ... summer fish or winter fish or both.
That may help define the difference.

I'm over 13 for winter fishing.
Under 13 for summer fishing.

My only exception is the 7133 Winston BIIX which I use for both.

Steve

[silverbum]

We have both summer and winter fish. For most of the rivers around here there is really no need for the longer rods 13ft and under cover everything great. I fish a 10'6 switch mostly now but also fish my speys for the bigger waters...

[Nooksack Mac]

Like, I suspect, many of us, I use different rods for different seasons. Any single answer, such as this poll requires, is somewhat misleading. I answered based on the fact that I probably fish more days of the year in late fall/winter/spring conditions than otherwise. In summer low flows, my rod is usually two-four feet shorter.

Is there a way to split this poll in two, seasonally?

[TheSwingingFly]

Whether in the Great Lakes or the PNW has absolutely nothing to do with rod length, regardless of where you are, the river and conditions that river offers are what you should base your decision on...

You can't just lump the PNW and Great Lakes into two seperate categories, both regions have rivers where an 11' rod is going to be the best tool for the job and both have rivers where a 15'+ rod is going to make life easier...

[Dave Fulton]

Sinktip,

To get the most accurate poll results WRT percentages, you'll want to divide the poll into two separate polls. One for GL and another for PNW.

Regards,

Dave Fulton

[silverbum]

Originally Posted by TheSwingingFly

Whether in the Great Lakes or the PNW has absolutely nothing to do with rod length, regardless of where you are, the river and conditions that river offers are what you should base your decision on...

You can't just lump the PNW and Great Lakes into two seperate categories, both regions have rivers where an 11' rod is going to be the best tool for the job and both have rivers where a 15'+ rod is going to make life easier...

Where on the joe do you need a 15 ft stick to get the job done????? just wondering since this is my neck of the woods also.... Most places in the great lakes i dont think you need longer than 13 or 13'6 to cover the water. just learn how to cast and youll be good

[eastern spey]

Originally Posted by Steve Egge

Hey Tip ....

What do they have in the GL region? ... summer fish or winter fish or both.
That may help define the difference.

Steve

Steve,
We have both! Although limited numbers/rivers of summer fish. I personally chose 13' and under....what determines rod length for me is distance I plan on fishing/casting and where. Some sections of my favorite rivers have more room than others.

-Zack

[fredaevans]

Darned interesting question; looking forward to see where this goes.

fae

[Dave Fulton]

Sinktip,

Sorry for being anal about the poll results. I work with databases ... need I say more?

Let's see. I fish the GL tribs. I have one DH rod (a 13'er) and a 9' SH rod, so it's easy ... 13' or less.

Regards,

Dave

[Stampsteelie]

I love the long rod and long lines so whenever possible I use a 15 footer. I'll use the short rods on occasion but I enjoy the big guys. Now that I've got the 15' 6/7/8 from Bob I'll be spending even more time with a long rod!

[TheSwingingFly]

There is many stretches of the Joe that I enjoy fishing from the water vs via a sled, some of these sections are around 100 yards wide. In these sections some are only accessible from one bank and in order to fish there you are wading past your belt as well, so if I want to fish a spot 100' + out, a longer rod makes this much easier, not only by making it easier to make a cast of this distance, but I can use a longer belly full sinking line and not have to strip so much line before making another cast.

It all boils down to personal preference, if you enjoy shorter rods, by all means fish them, if you enjoy longer rods, rivers like the Joe, Mo and Big Man are perfect for them. I agree many rivers in the Great Lakes are not really long rod rivers per say, but West Michigan does offer opportunities for the longer rods. The Joe is a very large river even in PNW standards...

All good things,

KB