Noodle Rod Length

After years of using “feel” rods like Thorne Bros Sweethearts, I’m looking to pick up a noodle rod for when big gills are on a real finesse bite. Seems like most guys highly recommend longer 32-36″ rods when fishing outside. Curious about what everyone feels the advantages are to the longer rods? Is it just line pickup for the hookset and possibly extra cushion for the fight?

I’m used to a 28″ rod and wonder if going longer will make precise finesse jigging motions more difficult? Also, I fish in an Otter cabin more often than outside, but all my walleye jigging rods are 32″ and I fish them inside with no problems. I think I could go for the 32″ rod and fish it inside with no problems so not terribly worried about that unless I’m convinced otherwise.

Any reason to shy away from “only” a 28″ rod?

The rods on top of my list are a DH 28″ Al Dente or their 32″ Longboard.

Tucker

Cool reason I went with 32″ was overall uniformity. Before last year I generally fished with rods around 24″. Both of the reasons you stated are pulses for a longer rod however I do not think they’re as crucial when dealing with pan fish. I say if you are comfortable with the 28″ rod go with that.

I always wondered the same as you, why so long? My longest was 26″ I think. This year I began making ice rods and I got some longer blanks with the mind set of trimming the butts down. I gave it some thought and decided to try them long as I could always cut the 5″ off with the cork grip and just rebuild them easily if I did not like how they fished.
Last weekend I put my 36″ panfish rod to the test and now I am thinking about how I am going to fish these long rods in my portable and wheel house. Give one a try that is 32-36 but spend some time picking the right rod weight to fit the size lure and fish you are going to target with that rod.
The hook sets are faster, seems that hand shakiness is oddly not as bad and the extra length soaks up fight and such better than a shorty.
Worst case, you don’t like it and sell it.

I had this same disscusion with Adam from TUCR when I ordered my PN. I fish with 30 in rods. Adam told me that the biggest reason the you see some folks fishing the 36 in rods is because they are tall and need the longer rod to fish standing up. Adam said he is 5’10 and fishing a 32in rod. At that rod length he can stand on the ice and fish comfortable.

I feel comfortable with a 28 – 30in rod. Adam told me if it aint broke dont fix it and lets bulid a 30in PN. I fish in an Ottor Lodge and have plenty of room and I honestly dont think that the extra 6 ins inside will make that big of a diffrence.

As far as making finesse jigging movements, the rod tip of the PN is so sensitive that to me it feels easier to make those fine jig strokes with the longer rod.

So bottom line, and this is just my two cents, if you are comfortable with a 28 to 30in rod, then I would stick with that. Give Adam or John at TUCR a call and they will get you set up with what will work for you and your style of fishing. Hope this helps. Trying to decide what gear to use can be aggrevating. Good luck and tight lines!

if it isn’t broke don’t fix it, BTW I love my al dente rod. I’ve used it as a deadstick also which is fun, most of the poor fish dont know whats coming

I just received a Precision Noodle a couple weeks ago. I went with the 36″ and was concerned about using it in the portable. Went up fishing with my buddy last weekend and in his Otter cabin, the rod performed perfectly. The extra length was not a problem and actually was an advantage. I am 6’1″ and normally have to sit hunched over to jig, with the longer rod I was able to lean back in the seat and comfortably jig with the rod at my side.

I was really impressed with the feel on this rod, I expected the soft tip to absorb the feeling of light bites, but was very impressed by the sensitivity. I also got a chance to use it in another buddies wheel house, worked great.

Rod length should be based on what you want and are comfortable fishing, just wanted to share my experience.

Thanks for your input. The rods I’m looking at have the same transition from tip to backbone, so no difference there. I think the 28″ rod will work well, though I’m still tempted to try the 32.5″ rod as I see it being fairly comfortable to use in a seated position as well as a little easier the few times I find myself moving quickly and standing outside.

Thanks!

Tucker

32″ does work very well in the flip overs like the Yukon/Cabin size.

That is my main length because you can run and gun with it as well.