Before I pull the trigger let me ask.

[keithdog]

I was planning on buying a Shimano Crucial 7'0" heavy power extra fast casting rod this spring for pitchin jigs and soft plastics around heavy cover. Just been waitting for it to maybe go on sale. But right now, I can buy a Crucial rod in 6'8" heavy power extra fast action on sale. Same rod, just 4 inches shorted. I know it's considered a pitchin rod for what I want to do, but do you think I'd be better off waitting for the 7 footeer to go on sale? This will be a heavy cover rod use, such as lilly pads, down falls and so on.

[nofearengineer]

Keith...I saw your picture with KVD...and unless he's 8 feet tall, you're no giant. I would think a 6'8" rod would work very well for you, especially if the price difference was substantial.

[BassinNC]

I think you will be fine with the 6'8" rod.

[BigBassin144]

I think a 6'8" rod would be ok. But I don't think it would be the best. I'm about 5'7" and I use a 7' H F rod for pitching. Not I've pitched with my 6'6" MH XF rod before I got my pitching rod, and I like the 7 footer A LOT better. I think it gives me a better hookset, more control over the fish when I hook one, and a bit of a longer pitch than the shorter rod does.

Personally I'd wait to see if the 7' goes on sale since we got plenty of time until spring. The only downside to this would be that it may not go sale, and if it doesn't the 6'8" may not be on sale anymore. It's just a chance you've got to take.

BB

[bassboogieman]

Most guys use a 7'6" or longer, so a 7'0" rod would be (relative to your shorter stature, no offense intended) enough compensation, in my opinion anyway. If you're going to spend your money you might as well get the more appropriate stick. While the 6'8' might be usable for your intended purpose, I think the 7'0" is a better choice in heavy vegetation. The longer rod will give you a better arch, for slightly longer pitches and more leverage to get the fish out of slop. I would think the 6'8" would be more appropriate for pitching docks and laydowns, the longer rod for heavy veggie grounds.

[Basscat7]

The 4 " will make no difference what so ever.

If you were planning on doing all Flipping with the rod, then longer is better to be able to reach out and flip a jig into a hole in the grass.

But, Pitching is a different game, and rod control is more important than having the longest rod. Pitching to targets in the grass, to hard targets , pilings, etc is easier with a rod you can control with a flick of the wrist.

I drop down to a 6' 6" MH when pitching spinnerbaits or Big Senkos in the grass holes, gives much better control to keep the bait just inches over the water to get a smooth entry and get pinpoint control to hit a small target.

You can " pitch " any bait, it is all in the rod control. A 6' 6" or 6'8 " is waaaaay more than adequate for hauling any bass out of cover, good braid, and sharp hooks are the key to that.

[keithdog]

Oops, my bad, It's 6'10" not 6'8". Sorry about that. It's actually advertised by Cabelas as a pitchin rod.

[Bender]

I have a 6'10" pitching rod and it is great. I don't know how I would like a 6'8", it might not even make a difference but I don't know. I think a 6'10" would be great.

[rrw4258]

A 6'10" is about the closest you can get to 7'. It should work okay, but I would wait to get the 7' rod myself, unless the 6'10" rod is on sale for a really outstanding price.

Ryan

[keithdog]

Well I pulled the trigger guys. I bought the Shimano Crucial 6'10" heavy extra fast rod for my pitchin in heavy cover. At $99.88 I think I did ok. Normal retail is $159.00. I'm putting my new Revo STX with the 7:1 ratio on it. Can't wait to try it out 6-7 weeks from now! Thanks for your replies.

[nofearengineer]

Awesome, Keith!!!! Can't wait to hear how it works for you. Good luck, Buddy.

[MallenManson]

Sounds like one heckuva combo, keith!

[BigBassin144]

Keith, congrats on the new great combo! I'm sure you'll love the rod for pitching. I'd be much less hesitant over a 6'10" rod than the 6'8".

Make sure you let us know how you like it.

Originally Posted by Basscat7

The 4 " will make no difference what so ever.

If you were planning on doing all Flipping with the rod, then longer is better to be able to reach out and flip a jig into a hole in the grass.

But, Pitching is a different game, and rod control is more important than having the longest rod. Pitching to targets in the grass, to hard targets , pilings, etc is easier with a rod you can control with a flick of the wrist.

I drop down to a 6' 6" MH when pitching spinnerbaits or Big Senkos in the grass holes, gives much better control to keep the bait just inches over the water to get a smooth entry and get pinpoint control to hit a small target.

You can " pitch " any bait, it is all in the rod control. A 6' 6" or 6'8 " is waaaaay more than adequate for hauling any bass out of cover, good braid, and sharp hooks are the key to that.

Basscat, I''ve got to disagree with you on the fact that 4" does nothing. I've worked the math before (not going to do it again right now) and have found that 4" of rod does make a difference on your hooksets.

Also, Keith did say it was going to be his pitching rod. Most guys use a 7'6" for flipping, but a lot use a shorter rod for pitching. Although I've never seen anyone use a 6'6" for pitching, I'm sure it could be done ok.

I use a 7' rod for pitching, and had to use my 6'6" when I didn't have another rod. Luckily, I was pitching to fairly light cover, so it didn't make much of a difference. I still haven't encountered a situation where I'd want to use my 6'6" since I've gotten my 7' pitching rod.

BB

[Basscat7]

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

Keith, congrats on the new great combo! I'm sure you'll love the rod for pitching. I'd be much less hesitant over a 6'10" rod than the 6'8".

Make sure you let us know how you like it.



Basscat, I''ve got to disagree with you on the fact that 4" does nothing. I've worked the math before (not going to do it again right now) and have found that 4" of rod does make a difference on your hooksets.

Also, Keith did say it was going to be his pitching rod. Most guys use a 7'6" for flipping, but a lot use a shorter rod for pitching. Although I've never seen anyone use a 6'6" for pitching, I'm sure it could be done ok.

I use a 7' rod for pitching, and had to use my 6'6" when I didn't have another rod. Luckily, I was pitching to fairly light cover, so it didn't make much of a difference. I still haven't encountered a situation where I'd want to use my 6'6" since I've gotten my 7' pitching rod.

BB

Disagreeing is part of the fun of these boards LOL...We all do something a bit different, and if you sometimes try something you find on here and it works for you too it adds another dimension to your fishing.

I'll take my 25 years of on the water experimenting and tournament fishing with the actual rod setups, and actually catching many bass on the setups.
I use longer rods also, but do use very successfully a 6 ' 6 " for pitching into heavy grass and have no problem hauling 5 - 6 pound bass out of the grass with it. Sharp hooks and good line will move any bass with a 6'6" rod.
IF you think you need a longer rod for hooksets, nothing wrong with that. But I have no problem setting hooks on 6 foot rods either....It's all in the hook sharpness and line stretch control.

We are not hauling Tarpon here LOL.

Until you actually use the setups, and actually haul good bass out of heavy grass with it, it is a moot point.


Here's a different take on the rod subject, just some fun read:

http://www.rtfi.us/rods.htm

[Rebbasser]

I think you will be just fine, Keith.

[Bassboss]

Unless you're like < 5'5", I'd get the longer rod! You can get the fish up and where you want them a lot better, a better hook set, further pitch, and maybe even a more accurate pitch!

~~~

Edit:

6'10' probably fine, 2' is not to big of deal! Congrats on the new combo, and hope you catch some biguns with it!

[keithdog]

Got the new rod today and imediately paired my Revo STX with it. Wow is this gonna be fun!!!

[MallenManson]

Originally Posted by keithdog

Got the new rod today and imediately paired my Revo STX with it. Wow is this gonna be fun!!!

You been walkin around the room, pretendin you're fishin? I have been.

[bassinbob]

Sounds good kd. Go out and rip um up.

[swimbaitkid]

Im like 5'8" and I use 7 11's for pitching,I dont use anything less than 7ft,just use what ever you are most comfortable with

[keithdog]

For the record, I'm 5'6" tall, LOL.

[Showda]

keith, if that is your first revo stx you are going to love it. Great choice!

[keithdog]

Originally Posted by Showda

keith, if that is your first revo stx you are going to love it. Great choice!

It is, although I do have other Revos. I am really looking foreward to using it!

[BeaverIslander]

Originally Posted by Showda

keith, if that is your first revo stx you are going to love it. Great choice!

+1. One of my favs.