Our experience is that most children of that age seem to do better with shorter rods as they will be easier to stop and will also be less tiring. This is why most rods targeted toward children are in the 7-8 ft range. Many of our customers have attempted to start their children with longer rods then come in to purchase a shorter rod. However some children can cast longer rods fine.

I also recommend the Bug Launcher rods as well as the TFO Minnow Combo ($110 - 2pc 8ft 5/6 rod, Cross Water reel, Rio Mainstream Line) and Crosswater Youth Combo ($150 - 4pc 8.5ft 5/6 rod, Cross Water Reel, Mainstream Line, and a rod/reel case) and these have been popular with customers as have any number of 7 to 8 ft 3wt or 4wt rods.

The Bug Launchers have also been popular with adults looking for short rods