Recently I decided to take a fly rod fishing a lake in my canoe. Bass fishing. Couldn’t decide whether to take a longer or shorter rod. Settled on a 7 1/2 foot rod mainly for convenience since my canoe is only 12 foot. It worked well. Casting sitting down was still able to get at least 30 feet of fly line out without rocking the boat. What length rod do you use in a canoe?

Inshore with a kayak, you need to be able to reach around the boat, because a slot redfish will go around twice before you can get him to hand.

Thanks for the thoughts. Next time I will try an 8 1/2 foot rod. Didn’t think about a fish going around the front of the canoe.

7’6 - 8’9” (and a few in between) are my go-to lengths. I’m casting from a very low sitting position in a touring kayak.

I started out kayak fishing with a 9’ 5wt and 8wt. But found casting to be so much easier with the shorter rods, in all weights 3-8. And that’s all I’ve used for years.

Recently tried two 9’ rods that I really like, and nope, just did not appreciate them while sitting.

I would use a FF79 when I floated streams in MO.in my canoe hunting trout or rock bass and bluegill ............Aurelio

To me, a comfortable casting rod is the most important. A skillfully maneuvered canoe, anchored to hang straight in the current along a sweet spot run, or drifted a prime route, obviates the need of long casts, unusual mends, and so on--where length and reach might be an advantage. Smooth, well placed, relatively short casts would be the norm, as opposed to thrashing for distance beyond your comfort level. Rock the boat--disturb the run, put the fish down. Be still in a well positioned craft and the fish can be under the rod tip. As to length, comfort translates to the line weight and canoe size. Comfortable storage, easy grab and cast, and so on. Ability to reach around the bow and/or stern from fishing position. Ability to fish under the rod tip within a few feet of the gunwales. Nevermind far; you can move over there later. Don't move to soon; let the craft stabilize and the fish resume normal activity. If watching the "next" spot, plan a stealth drift or approach to anchor position. Well anyhow, for 'glass rods, I think 8' is my default in 16 to 18' canoes. Plus or minus half a foot would be fine. In a shorter canoe, 7 1/2, plus or minus 6".

I never enjoyed fly fishing from a canoe because I tend to get my whole torso into the act and rolling over was a constant threat. Then I got a Gheenoe which you cannot tip over if you try and that was a real game changer.

I also FF from a 12' canoe and use 8' to 9' rods.I like the 8' or 8'8" best and the 7.5' the least.

Good arguments for both shorter and longer rods. I guess it comes down to personal preference and circumstances. Interesting, I learned some things. Thanks again.

In my kayak I too like a 7.5 or 8' rod. Lately I've been using a Phillipson MF80L 5 weight.

Beautiful rods. Short quick casts could certainly be useful if floating a stream with fast current. And most strikes in my experience are within a couple seconds of the fly landing. But I fish a shallow clear lake where the fish are boat wary. So I think I need at least a 40 foot cast without creating boat waves. So will stick eith somewhat longer rods.