Spent the last 3 weeks spending every spare moment chucking hardware or jigs out of a boat. Basically the same as any bass fisherman. I have begun to wonder why I need a 9' rod to do this? It seems like a 6.5' rod would be just as efficient for this type of fishing.

I am guessing that we predominantly use longer rods for hardware just as a carry over from bank fishing where you need the length to control your line over the current. I am fishing in a slowly moving lake essentially, so the current is never really an issue.

For jig fishing, I think it could be an even bigger advantage having the rod tip closer to your hands.

What are your thoughts on this?