I’m looking into getting a 2wt or a 3wt rod cause i generally fish for panfish fish or smallmouth in creeks surrounded by trees so a shorter rod would suite me better. i’m debating between a 5’ rod or a 6’6 rod and my question is, is it harder to cast a shorter rod than it would be to cast my 8’ rod?
thank you
craig
Is there any way you can try them?
I have heard said that shorter rods are more difficult to cast. With that said, I have a 6’ and a 6’-6" bamboo rod and I never think about it. I just cast like I would any other rod and don’t really notice anything different.
Scott
I think that shorter rods would be harder to cast as dictated by the physics of casting. The timing of the casting sequence would be different but anyone who understands casting will pick this up in an instant. Kinda like casting with a broomstick. Once you know what tool you have to work with, you work with it.
Mark
PS: Actually the word " harder" is not an appropriate word in this context. “Different” would probably be a better choice.
craiga:
I fish rods from 5’0" to 6’6" but only in EXTREMELY tight quarters where whacking a low branch is a everyday, every place reality. I might add that at these tiny rod places, I use a leader of between 4’-5’ long because it is that tight. I also chose fiberglass for my rods because if it’s short it usually is stiff and fast IMHO ain’t good for tight small places. Glass is ideal. While I really enjoy my tiny sticks; If I could get away with even a 7’0" rod I would because the advantages of a long rod are many.
Even though the mechanics of casting are the same; things are different with a short rod. Your fly line drops quicker because it has less distance to drop. Every movement you do with your wrist is different because the tip of your rod doesn’t move as far in relationship to your hand as it would with a longer rod. How that translates to differences in your casting stroke depends on how you cast but it does come into play.
But the biggest issue is reach. A longer rod reaches over riffles better, daps better, roll casts better, does just about everything better. I chose “shorties” in my situation because anything else would be impossible to fish where I like to venture and I really wanted to fish in those spots.
Take Mr. Castwell’s advice and test cast those puppies. If you can’t cast the actual rod, cast ANY 5’0"-6’6" rod just to see what short feels like casting, or any other simulated fishing technique you can come up with in the fly shop parking lot.
Trust me when I say that there aren’t a whole lot of places where I couldn’t get away with a 6’6" rod if I really wanted to. There is a HUGE difference between a 6’6" rod and a 5 footer so think long and hard about going any shorter than 6’6". Sometimes using a long leader in tight quarters is more the problem than the rod length. Before I would do anything, I would try a 5’-6’ leader and see what happens. And one final comment; IF you are considering a 2wt or 3wt in the extremely short length; try some of you favorite panfish and smallmouth flies with the 2-3wt outfits you are considering.
I’m sure that many will disagree but 5’0" + 2wt + a popper + trying to cast more than 10 feet will NOT be a lot of fun.
Good luck with your search!
Craiga, I owned both a 5’6" rod and a 6’6" rod and enjoyed using them both on small spring creeks.
The creeks I fish are small, I stalk trout so casting distance was not an issue. When water is higher after much rain or early season after our snow melt, I do need to be able to mend a line even no a small creek.
for this reason I sold my 5’6" rod and fished my 6’6" rod only on my small creeks. An extra foot in lenght goes a long way in mending a fly line.
I think you have to consider for yourself what it is exactly that you want from this rod and base your decission accordingly. (there are times I wish I had the shorter rod when I am constantly battling over hanging bush).
At any rate you’ll enjoy something shorter in your situation.
Bye for now: yaf
Yes, it is more difficult to cast a 5 foot. I have one. IMHO any where you would need a rod as short as 5 foot, you would be doing mostly roll casts anyway. The only reason I can come up with for owning one of these ultra short ultra light rods is just for diversion. The are kinda fun - but I’ll take a seven footer anyday for light stuff. They are just easier to use and more versitle.
Bob Bolton
Marco’s reply to your post got me thinking where he said it’s a better choice of words to say it’s “different” rather than “harder”.
I own rods that are all over the map in their action. Some are graphite and some are cane. They range from 6’ to 9’and from 3wt to 9wt. Some are fast and others are slow. Of the cane rods I own, one is a quad and the others are hex’s. All very different in the way they cast Each time I pick up a rod there is a few minutes needed to reacquaint myself with the rod. I may prefer one rods action over another but don’t find anyone of them to be harder to cast than another…just DIFFERENT.
I often times fish small bushy creeks with a low tree canopy and where only short (up to 30’) cast are required and the short rods excell in that enviroment.
I made myself a small 6’3" bamboo rod for fishing the small streams in our area (some no wider than 3 or 4 feet) and I totally love it. I don’t feel tired after a days fishing like I would when casting my normal 7 weight 9 foot rod. This rod casts a 4 weight very nicely. I haven’t tried a 3 wt on it yet. However I did try a 7 wf-f on it and was totally taken back when it cast that line as well and almost as far as my longer rods do. I think a lot of it is the taper and action of the rod. I have found myself grabbing this rod instead of one of my longer rods (I have about 20-25) much more often now as it is much more enjoyable to fish with. I agree that it is a “different” feel but it takes no time at all to get used to the timing and action. 
I had a one piece cane, three weight. Darling rod. I became my wifes favorite. So long we called it a ‘travis rod’. Owning that rod was a high point in my fly fishing; some things just stand out. It still sees action.
I have taken a notion to fish small ,quick steams.
That said my 8’ to 9’ rods just wont do.
Not having a lot of cash to burn up on experimentation I asked for advice(right here at FAOL) and opted to try a Cabellas clear creek 6’ 5wt.
Not being well versed on little rods here is my take on it.
GOOD ROD!
Not a lot invested (under $150 rod,reel ,I had line). It doesnt have a long reach ,but that aint why I got it.
Dont let the 5wt designation fool you . It sure feels light enough to me. It has enough back to handle decent sized trout.
Forget larger streams, you can force a longer cast with it but who wants to wear out an arm,(go back to the car and get the long 'un) :lol:
Best wishes.
P.
p.s remember to take into account the size of the stream when rigging the leaders and tippets. 12 footers just “aint gonna” work (wasnt really paying attention and had to re-{DUH}rig) :shock:
" I became my wifes favorite"
Gee, Castwell, I sure hope you’re her fave! :lol:
Chuck
Well, after her cane rods, of course I am! :lol:
I have a Fenwick 5’3" 4/5 and a W.W. Griggs 6’ 3wt. To me, Yes they are harder to cast. Nothing that a few practice swings won’t fix, but they are harder. They just don’t have the flex to swing the line out. For my small creeks, I prefer at least a 7’. Just my opinion.
I don’t think a 6’ to 6’-6" rod has to be stiff or difficult to cast if the rod is designed WELL. I can’t speak for anything shorter since I have never cast one. But, if your fishing with a broom stick, it doesn’t matter whether the broom stick is 6’ long or 10’ long, it will still feel like a broom stick
Scott
I agree. Any good caster can get in time with a rod just swinging it a few strokes. If you understand the dynamics of casting and know how to adjust you can cast most any rod effectively
I appreciate all the replys, everyones so helpful here (don’t get that alot these days). I unfortunately don’t think i have any fly shops in my area so the only place i’ve found fly equipment is at Gander Mountain and the rods they had were out of my price range, what i’m looking at is cabellas Clear Creek and there Traditional rods. So i probably won’t be able to cast those exact rods but i will for sure cast the same weight and length at Gander. Like i said earlier i’m not exactly great at casting yet (only a few months under my belt), but i feel more confident about buying one of these new rods. so again i appreciate your knowledge.
oh yah if someone knows of any fly shops in the chicago area please let me know.
thanks
craig
Don’t forget the action. All rods and rod company has different flex rods. Figure out which flex works for you and that will help to find the right rod.
I have only casted one rod that small and it was an orvis superfine 6’6" 2wt.
I really didnt care for it. it was a little broomstick, but with 2 minutes with it in my hands i got the stroke down and was able to get a really good bit of line out. It suprised me.
With that said it’s the caster not the rod.
Hey Craig - I have a 6’ 2wt Temple Fork that I love - great rod and best of all - great value.
I needed it for fishing these tiny spits out in the black hills where I had to cast from my hip or from my knees to keep from smacking trees or fouling my back-cast. But do several practice casts to get used to the timing - and once you do you’ll be fine. It’s not any harder, just different.