Casting Test: Does Rod Size Matter? 7''6' Vs' 9'6' Rod

In this week's video Chad Ferguson from Catfish Edge does a casting test with the 7'6" and 9'6" Chad Ferguson Signature Series Catfish Rod from Whisker Seeker Tackle to show the difference rod length makes when casting.

Check out the first video on the 9'6" Rod Here

Order your rod from Whisker Seeker Tackle Here

Several weeks ago I posted the video announcing the release of the new 9'6" Heavy Power catfish rod in my signature series catfish rod line. While testing this fishing rod we did a LOT of casting and there's no doubt you can really get some distance with your catfish baits with the longer fishing rods. We spent a lot of time testing on the water trying to get a feel for just how much further these long catfish rods cast and couldn't figure out it on the water so we decided to go redneck scientific.

I headed down to my son's high school where he plays football (the Saginaw High School Rough Riders) and put the 7'6" catfish rod and the 9'6" casting rod up against each other in a casting test smackdown.

I two brand new Abu Garcia 6500C3 catfish reels spooled them with fresh Whisker Seeker Tackle monofilament fishing line, tied on a 3 ounce no roll sinker and made three casts from the end zone of the football field with each fishing rod, and then took an average distance of the three casts.

Check out the video for more details and to see just how much farther the 9'6" Chad Ferguson Signature Series Catfish Rod from Whisker Seeker Tackle casts than the 7'6" model.

Timestamps:
00:15 Why I'm doing this casting test
00:50 Where and how I conducted this test (gear)
02:15 How I did the casting tests (casts and distances)
02:35 Casting test results with shorter rods
03:30 Longer rod casting results
04:45 What's the difference in casting distance
05:35 Which rod length should you use for catfish

[MRBurns-tilb]

There's always somebody in the dam way at that time in moment when you need to do something in the middle of nowhere

[BumbleBeeJunction]

So a close estimate (at least with that setup) is 10 yards per foot of rod, and 5 yards for every 6" of rod... 7' 6" approx 75 yards // 9' 6" approx 95 yards... Interesting... Thank you for sharing and taking the time to do this... Appreciate ya !

[shred]

I went with 8'. There is no question it casts further, but like you said larger rods in small places can be cumbersome too.  7'6" or 8' is the happy balance to me.

[leemurphy]

We did a similar test with some rods we have. Only we was testing a 9 and 10 foot rod but we was using vintage Penn reels. A couple of them had 800 yes of 70 lb braid and 7 oz of lead. They casted pretty good. We are going to use the for the ocean and catfish. Great test.

[bowhuntersm]

There is alot of times that the extra yards would really make a difference, Around dams for sure.Great video

[SylvesterMarshallPune]

Just the video and information that I was looking for. Wanted to cast longer from the river bank and 9'.5" seems the perfect rod. Thank you so much.

[robertwixom]

Hey Chad. I know this video is a older one. But any ways I just got the full metal jacket 9.6ft a few days ago shipping was so fast. Crazy how much farther I was able to reach out and touch some deeper water. Tried the Mississippi River could've hit some barges very easily pushing up the river. Very impressed with the whisker seeker rods. I am telling everyone I know who likes to fish. I will be getting another one. Also will be getting the 7.6ft. From the southeast corner of Iowa. The whisker seeker team just got another huge fan. Thanks

[SmoocheeWallace]

Going with the 9.5 H for my 7000 c and will be picking up a 7.5 MH for my 5500 c3. Going for trophy blues with the 9.5 and maybe some light surf/inshore fishing on trips, and using the 7.5 back home in the Hill Country of TX for the smaller cats that are more common. Great input!

[nickmartyn]

Depends on the money u put into a rod some have guides for braid that are smaller it’s not always the size I’ve seen guys on the surf with custom 10 An 9 ft rods out casting 13 an 12 ft rods all depends on the money An the user casting it

[tommycodfish]

The advantage of a longer rod would also put more pressure on the fish as appose to a shorter rod would put more pressure on you.

[adrianojeda]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[fdowty]

I did the same thing with my 7'9" WST rod all most the same setup as you any 6501c3 reel but with 65lb WST braided line and 2oz weight furthest cast was 85yards

[Mossmanu]

Thanks for the tips.
I just purchased a Mitchell 300 pro combo and I was wondering if there was a difference in the cast distance over my 6' rod and reel set up.😎

[michaelcuellar]

What's the difference in the 9'6" GFX Graphite and the Full Metal Jacket...
Which is better? Will they both cast the same distance?

[heavyschevys]

Can you do this with the spinning version. The first ring is rather small. Hard for me personally to load that 9'6 up with only 3 oz.

[ernie]

In all my fishing, yes length ==> distance all things being equal. wind can be a big factor though.

[Putthemracksup]

Can you cast these far with live bait I am fishing from the bank ??

[Dreamlink]

Sir I do only spinners with my 270cm rod which is about 9" and after a few hour sessions with some 40gram spinner my freaking shoulder is falling appart and my hand even tho i am well trained physicaly. Should i reduce size and go like 180cm??? I tested in shop some of those you dont even feel them how light they are.. I dont know what to do, i dont wanna jeoperdise casting distance... sry english is not my native.. Many people tell me what i have now 9" is the best size for that...idk

[alpineplay]

I wana see how far a 12-13.5 rods can cast. Would be interesting

[aduzit]

Wow man this is awesome. Didn't know I was that close to Chad man. I live off of Bailey Boswell