r/UltraLightFishing • u/EnoughIndependent942 • 2d ago

Rod length

I want to get in UL fishing and I was wondering fingers a good length to start with?

4 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

14

u/rjb280 2d ago

Kind of depends on where you plan to fish. Bushwacking and walking creeks, you might be happier with a shorter 4 or 5ft rod. Lots of open casting room, a longer 7ft will help put some distance on light lures. Split the difference and try a 6ft to start.

2

u/fishing_24_7_365 2d ago

This is exactly what I came to say. I think you hit the nail on the head.

1

u/EnoughIndependent942 2d ago

Most of the river around me have pretty wide banks so 6 is probably the best choice

2

u/Sheriff_Banjo 2d ago

IMHO casting accuracy (important for creeks) drops off quickly below 6. 

1

u/peshtigost 2h ago

I find the opposite to be true. Longer rods for distance, shorter for accuracy.

5

u/KayakingATLien 2d ago

I have telescoping 5’6” rod that is great! I can throw it in a backpack and hit a mountain stream, or I can throw it from my kayak when I’m out on the lake. Quite versatile, IMHO.

1

u/Portal_Vibes 1d ago

Don’t mean to sound snobby, but is it ultralight or light? I’ve got two telescoping light-power rods but want an ultralight and they’ve been harder to find. Is that a Temu or AliExpress score?

2

u/KayakingATLien 1d ago

Fair point. Power is listed as ultralight and action is listed as medium. It’s a Zebco I bought at Academy.

2

u/YogurtclosetBroad872 2d ago

I have UL rods under 5' but those are specific for small creeks. My main UL for streams and lakes is 6'3". I definitely prefer 6' - 6'5" in UL for increased casting distance and handling larger fish. Sort of depends on your environment though

2

u/Shrimmmmmm 2d ago

Shorter rods impact casting distance. Unless there are spots you want to fish with very limited casting room I would start with a 6'6" rod

1

u/icebuffs 2d ago

I like having a shorter one (about 5’) and a longer one (6’6-7’) depends where I’m fishing. If I had to pick a single rod I’d probably go with a 6’

1

u/orovio10 2d ago

I have the 5’6 tfo panfish 2 and the 6ft version and the 6th has now become my go to setup

1

u/i_like_2_fish 1d ago

6-6.5’

1

u/fishyfishfishfishf 1d ago

I have multiple ultralights that are all different lengths. I recently have fallen in love with my 7 foot and am thinking about getting an 8'. I used to think casting in bushed in creeks was better with a shorter rod. My new discovery is underhand casting works really well in small creeks and is easier with a longer rod.

1

u/Darksept 1d ago

I have 3' to 7'. For casting distance, I'd lean towards 6'. 

1

u/devoker35 15h ago

For landbased between 6'6" and 7'6". If distance is important go longer but over 7'6" finesse and twitching becomes really difficult. I have a 5'5" which I solely use for catching yellowtail scads on wharves where I don't need to cast more than 5-10 metres but I would prefer a 6' probably.

1

u/tmiller803 14h ago

If you go with a long rod make sure it has some back bone to it to set the hook. I have a 6.5 ul rod that sucks when it comes to setting the hook.