Hello all. I have a question. A friend asked me to build him a 6 weight fly rod for smallmouth bass. He has tried my 6 weight, medium-fast blank but wants more "punch". I have looked over various 8'6" and 9 foot blanks and was curious if rod length makes a difference with casting performance? All things being equal, does six inches make a difference if the primary use for the rod is casting small to medium bass bugs?
Any input would be appreciated.
Tom.

Tom,

What do you mean by "performance"? More distance? More line control? Etc... Were both rods of same model and manufacturer? In my opinion after 30 years of casting, I would up it to a weight wt fly rod. Reason is the 7 wt line has more mass to turn over heavier or more wind resistance flies. Also, when the wind comes up, casting a fly like the mentioned would be much better.

And yes, lenght has a factor in casting distance IMO. But, you get to a point to where the longer the rod is more of a hinderance when the wind comes up due to trying to move the big "lever" (fly rod) on your back cast and forward cast.

The one rod that comes to mind for this application is the G. Loomis IM 9' 7wt. Also, I have herd that the Dan Craft blanks are fast action as well and a very good value.

One more thing and I will stop babbling-is the corrrect "taper" of fly line. Using a "bass-bug" taper line compared to a longer bellied line will make all the difference in the world in the way the rod "feels" to him when casting. The rod will "load" (Fancy flyfishing term for BEND) faster with the bass-bug taper line than say a GPX line from Scientific Anglers. Anyway Tom, I hope I helped ya. I'm a rookie rod builder but the fly rod casting performnce topic got my attention and can help ya with.

Merry CHristmas...
Paul

I guess it all depends on how well your friend can cast but for bass bugs I would go with a nine footer.
Especially if the rod is going to be fast action the extra six inches might make a difference. I have an eight and a half six weight in moderate action that I cast small flies with but switch to an eight weight nine footer for larger flies. The eight weight is a moderate action rod and the more I practice the better I like that action. It is so nice to be able to make a smooth and accurate cast and not have to "punch" my casts. This morning I spent a couple of hours practice casting on a pond. There are some cattails in the pond and I pretend that there is a bass hiding in them and make cast after cast to the edge of the tails to improve my accuracy. That is how I practice.

If you your friend is of sound build and isn't old or feeble, then a 9 footer should be good for him. Everything else Paul told you is good information. Go for the total package of line, bugs and rod so that everything works together well.

If you friend is going to cast from a canoe, float tube, or otherwise be low in the water he may want to consider a 10'.

Think about the bass bug being 6" closer or further from your right ear.

I go with the 9'. I acutally built a 8.5' six weight and it just sits in the drawer. For me it was just too much work trying to push heavy flies with a light line and trying to make it up on velocity. I wanted a little more punch too. I now fish with a 9', 7wt. for small flies and bugs. I go to a 9 wt if I am trying to toss something really wicked in size.

I do not like the "bass bug" taper lines. The short head just makes the whole thing seem "jerky" when you get a lot of line out. I would rather go up one line size on the same rod than throw the bass taper.

6 inches will make a difference, I am an advocate of increased lengths, up to the point weight or cumbersome clutter becomes an issue. You must remember that 6 inches of additional rod length on the end of a long cast where you need to move the dropping line right or left to avoid an stick up or obsatical will only move the line an inch or two at best, but sometimes thats all you need. If you have the arm strength to wield the longer rods it will give you greater casting distance and hook setting power if the blank is stiff, if it is a long noodle rod casting mono line, you will have exaggerate the hook set to make up for all the give in the rod and stretch in the line

Thanks for all of the replies. I will pass on the information and see what my friend wants to do. Thanks again.