How to Determine Rod Length
The length of a fishing rod is best determined by the type of fish you hope to catch. Fishing poles can reach over 15 feet in length, and as a general rule, the longer the rod, the more flexible, and weaker, it will be. While it can be exciting fighting smaller fish weighing less than 20 lbs. on light tackle, larger fish, such as Alaska king salmon, tuna or muskellunge, can snap a long, flexible rod.
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Instructions
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Research your intended species to select a rod to match it. As examples, while rainbow trout can grow large in some bodies of water, rainbows don't put up much of a fight after being hooked. As such, even large rainbows would not require as short and stout a rod as musky, which are strong and unrelenting fighters.
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Choose a longer pole for fishing in shallower freshwater lakes and rivers. Fish don't normally grow as large in shallow water, so a lighter pole in the 12-to 14-foot range will provide more action and enjoyment.
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Coordinate the length of the fishing rod between species size, its fighting ability and the terrain you plan to fish. While fish in small mountain creeks may not reach 12 inches in length, a long pole, over 6 feet in length, could be a handicap in close, brushy quarters.
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Select a shorter rod when going after big fish, such as sharks or marlin. Larger sharks can easily weigh over 1,000 lbs. While some species don't fight as aggressively, their weight alone requires a strong pole. Marlin, on the other hand, don't grow as large as sharks, but require short, strong poles, as they are known to fight for hours.
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Take variables into account. Longer poles can be used for heavier fish, provided they are constructed with a large enough diameter to give the pole the strength to resist bending and breaking when you hook a monster fish.
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Check rods for weight ratings. Some manufactures provide a weight classification on the rod. Examples are fly-fishing rods that have numbered ratings, with numbers at the low end, such as a 1 or 2 weight rod, being suited for small pan-fish such as bluegill. In contrast, heavier fly rods with larger numbers up to 14 are better suited for larger saltwater species like salmon.
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