BASS Rule Change: Rod Length Expanded to 10 Footers

[abkeenan]

https://www.bassmaster.com/news/bass-will-allow-10-foot-rods-2017

 

Wonder what will become of this? I know the rod manufacturers gotta LOVE this rule as it expands lines and models. Will be interesting to see what guys will be throwing a 9'11" XXXH with a 16", 10oz monster swimbait looking for a kicker fish. Or someone resorting to the float n' fly in tough cold water conditions in some of the early in the year tournaments. Bassmaster Classic won on the F'n'F....guys from FL, TX, LA, MS, AL and other year round warm climate states heads would explode. Just when I think I have all the bases covered now with my combos.....BASS goes and does this.......ugh (More like Ugh for my wife). Wonder how far I can throw a 10XD on a 10 foot MH rod? If I get bored around the dam I can just heave a crank over it and maybe snag a trout in Taney. Do I need a trout tag if my boat is in Table Rock?

[jpb2187]

I think you're right... wonder how much the sponsors paid their pros to "request" the rule change. I don't think you'll see an immediate or crazy changes, except for the use of longer cranking rods, maybe some longer spinning rods for open water drop shotting, and maybe some longer flipping sticks. 

[Sprint21fter]

I bet it will come into play when they fish Cherokee this year if we have a cold winter. F&F will rule the day!

[fishinwrench]

Time for flyrods to enter the tournament scene.   I knew this day would come. 

[Quillback]

Cameramen and marshals are going to need to start wearing helmets and body armor.  Or they can allow 30 foot long bass boats to give the room the pros are going to need for their back casts to avoid hitting anyone else in the boat.

[Old plug]

Wrench I bet that is just what they intend to do. A very veristal weapon. I would imgine though that they will develope will be something unlike regular fly rods. I imgine it will catch a whole bunch of the human fish. maybe would be goodfor fishing cables. Brings to mind somerhing I tryied for a short while several years back I had a 10 or 12 ft cane pole I used to fish over cables with.  Dod not do it very llong about broke my arm after a couple hours of flipping that thing. was sprtvof a variation of doodle socking.

[Smithvillesteve]

It was illegal because of the concern of "dabbling". I guess they dont care anymore. I dont have room in my little 16 ft Lund. So guess i am out!!

[Brian Jones]

Wonder what Dee Thomas thinks about this??

http://bassfishingarchives.com/features/the-birth-of-the-flippin-stik-part-one

http://bassfishingarchives.com/western/the-birth-of-the-flippin-stik-part-two

 

[176champion]

10 foot fishing pole..i guess you could use it as a gig then and just stab your fish....lol

[fishinwrench]

Why does there need to be a rule governing the length of a rod anyway ? What techniques were they trying to nix by regulating rod length in the first place?  Doodlesocking?

Should there be a rule governing reel gear ratios or line diameter ?