Question on lightweight rods

[strangercreek]

I know there was a thread on this but I wanted to make sure someone sees this post.

I am going to buy one of these Eagle Claw featherweights and wanted to get some opinions on the two lengths.

Does there appear to be any actual difference in action between the two?

A 7ft almost seems like a better idea for those areas where there is a little more room to cast.

I'm looking to use it in a few creeks around northeast Kansas, mainly bluegill and bass.

Thanks

[Danoinark]

Since I started that Eagle Claw thing or I think I did... Let me first say that I only have the 6'6" design. I fished it at Roaring River on Friday and it seemed underlined with a 5 wt DT line. Now if you are in a position to be able to make casts 25 to 30 feet then it will be just fine. It loads those distances well. With saying that, it roll casts wonderfully at a shorter distance. I think the 7 footer will perform just fine with a 5 wt line at 20 foot casts, especially if you load it with a weight forward line. I am going to get the 7 footer even if just for experimentation. I haven't had a chance to try a 6wt yet. I believe with a 6wt you can load the rod better at shorter distances. Remember its glass, its slow and you will have to adjust your cast accordingly. If I was doing it over and I was only buying one feather light then I would get the 7 foot model. You will be able to cast 5 wt line, 6wt line for heavier bass bugs and streamers, and I feel that you couldn't overline it with a 7wt if you really wanted to. I take great pride in telling people here is my 12 dollar rod.

Dano

[Flysmallie]

I have both the 6'6" and the 7', thanks to Dano. I have used the 6'6" with a 5wt WF line and thought it cast very well at 30 to 35 feet. I have played around in the yard with the 7' and a 7wt Bass Bug Taper line (it's what I had laying around). It didn't seem like too much line for the rod, but I'm not the best caster you have ever seen and I was only casting a yarn indicator. When I tie on a popper or a big streamer it might be a different story.

If I was going to buy only one, it would be the 7 footer. Especially if you are going to be using it for bass. It does seem to have a little more backbone to it and using a heavier line is going to be a must to get some of those bigger flies out there.

[timsfly]

I sell a lot of those rods, and the 7' is the most popular, we grew up fishing those rods and for the money they are a lot of fun, eagle claw used to make a 5 1/2 foot and it was a blast on the creeks, but I got the most use out of the 6 1/2 on the creeks around home and I used the 7' at R.R. till I was 14, I then went to a 7 1/2 fenwick, fenglass. Which ever size you buy it will be a good rod.

[strangercreek]

Thanks for the info. I am going to put a South Bend reel (1141 which is identical to the Plueger 1492). I had to buy it at the Branson Kmart a couple of years ago when I left my fly reel at home. I ordered the 6.5 ft.