A seven-foot rod is the one most people can cast all day without tiring. On a river with trees behind you, a shorter rod means fewer snagged casts. A longer rod helps only when the water is wide and the wind is behind you.
Choose the rod for the water you fish most often. If you fish three kinds of water, pick the middle length and keep a second rod for the extremes.
Sources and further reading
Rules change. Check the current regulations for your water before you fish. How we write our guidance
