When a Shorter Fly Rod is the Best Choice

Mike Connor caught this redfish with a custom-made 7-foot, 10-inch fly rod. Photograph by Mike Conner

The usual 9-foot rod works effective for many saltwater purposes, however writing in Florida Sportsman, Mike Connor makes a convincing case for utilizing shorter rods in particular conditions. A brief rod could be gentle, quick, and correct for once you’re making an attempt to forged in a decent hall, tuck a fly below the mangroves, and so forth:

I’ve owned and fished rods from 7-foot, 4-inches to 8-foot, 4-inches in cramped quarters, comparable to mangrove creeks—typically tunnel-like—within the Everglades, that snook and child tarpon name dwelling. Casts are usually shorter than 50 ft, and name for accuracy, and that’s the place brief rods excel.

I realized early on that the relative stiffness of shorter rods helps with loop management, too. And casters with good casting fundamentals can forged extra slender loops which helps buck a headwind.

Click here to read the full story in Florida Sportsman