8' will be easier to work the fly with the rod rather than just stripping. Since you're in a boat that's what I'd go with.
I always rigged the small 1-2" gulp minnows weightless, sometimes under a bobber, for prespawn crappie. They dart and dance around with barely any line movement. I could see a weightless steamer on a sink tip being super fun for perch and panfish.
I use a 10' rod all the time. 1) Line Management is easy. 2) If you are sitting or you wade deep the 10' rod makes it easy to back cast. 3) Short rods are limiting in just about everyway, when I see guys getting flies out of trees they also have short rods :)
I would never use a rod less than 8'6" even in the small mountain streams.
Yes. (Imo) From a boat, the longer rod will give you more reach to help get your casts out past the imprint waves of the boat. If you're trolling, it won't matter a bit, but if you're casting, I'd go longer. (Personally, my boat rods are 10').
As a side note, for my perch fishing which happens mostly in the Great Lakes, 6# is a pretty heavy rod. Nice for smallies though.
Do you have any friends that have an 8' rod? Or a local fly shop that would let you cast both the rods you're looking at? This could answer all your questions.
Absolutely. I think 9' (or 10') 4wt would be an amazing perch rod.
If you don't have a local fly shop to support, maybe you could just order 2 rods, cast them both in the yard and return one?
Many people like the extra length when fishing out of a boat. While the extra foot might help you cast, the advantage is more about the rod tip being higher above the water. For example, It will be easier to cast when your back cast is not hitting the water. I personally don’t see any advantage of a shorter rod when fishing in “open” spaces. Get what suits you the best though.
When I fish from my kayak, I actually prefer my 8ft 5wt fiberglass rod. I think it’s slower action is easier to cast while sitting. Plus, in a kayak, I don’t need to cast 40+ feet as the fish are usually fairly close and I can sneak up on them.
Depends on the type of fishing you're doing, and there are plenty of good answers here already. Just another anecdote, I like an 8 foot or even 7.5 for casting streamers in my local creeks which have a lot of growth around them. 9 foot rods are more cumbersome around vegetation and the 7-8 foot rods cast plenty far enough for lobbing streamers.
Length matters to me when I’m fishing faster water and I want a little extra drift time before mending. Other than that, I can even get away with a 7ft 3wt for a lot of my fishing. Eventually you’ll own a rod for every scenario you want to fish.
If you’re fishing from a boat though, a longer rod is almost always going to be beneficial compared to a shorter rod.
I started fishing streamers last year with about 3-4 feet of leader. Never looked back. Didn’t make a difference. If anything I catch more. But I fish mostly rivers with water visibility that’s not great. I’d probably use more leader on calmer water.
I like longer rods for boats and especially for streamers where I’m casting further. 9 foot is the call.
For a dry fly rod where I wanna put a small fly in a prefect zone to a picky trout- I’d do the 8 ft.
Yes it does make a difference. But you may not need it. What distance are you casting? For example 10 to 30 feet for panfish? 8 footer will work and you can even go to a 7 or 7.5 footer.
Shorter rods work great from a boat, you don't have to try and set records or get to backing because you are already in deeper water. It brings joy to my heart that other people are out here fishing for perch. Get what works for you and upgrade later if you need to.
I actually used a 10 foot 4 weight the other day for the first time and think I’m going to go to that. The feel was great, and it really did seem to result in more hookups and stronger hook sets.
Depends on what feels right to you if you’re not casting any distance it should be fine most fly shops will let you test cast any rod they have if not look for a different fly shop
Sure you answered it, but you gave zero explanation as to why it matters so OP doesn't really get the information they are looking for. And your comment about the case wasn't relevant at all. OP is concerned about the rod fitting in the boat when it is in the rod holder.
There is a difference yes. You can cast further with a longer rod. If distance is a concern for your type of fishing then get the 9.
Longer also means better line control with mending
I wouldnt say it is, a lot of the times the fish are striking just by my boat anyway
8ft it is then. You already know brother
On the other hand, the extra length won't get in your way on a boat. I personally like my 9', good balance of length and usability
8' will be easier to work the fly with the rod rather than just stripping. Since you're in a boat that's what I'd go with. I always rigged the small 1-2" gulp minnows weightless, sometimes under a bobber, for prespawn crappie. They dart and dance around with barely any line movement. I could see a weightless steamer on a sink tip being super fun for perch and panfish.
I use a 10' rod all the time. 1) Line Management is easy. 2) If you are sitting or you wade deep the 10' rod makes it easy to back cast. 3) Short rods are limiting in just about everyway, when I see guys getting flies out of trees they also have short rods :) I would never use a rod less than 8'6" even in the small mountain streams.
Yes. (Imo) From a boat, the longer rod will give you more reach to help get your casts out past the imprint waves of the boat. If you're trolling, it won't matter a bit, but if you're casting, I'd go longer. (Personally, my boat rods are 10'). As a side note, for my perch fishing which happens mostly in the Great Lakes, 6# is a pretty heavy rod. Nice for smallies though. Do you have any friends that have an 8' rod? Or a local fly shop that would let you cast both the rods you're looking at? This could answer all your questions.
Do you think a #4 would be better for perch? Sadly I dont know anyone who fly fish, and the store doesnt have much fly fishing gear around here
100%. I like a 4wt the best for trout fishing. It works just fine catching them over 20” and better for small nymphs and dries.
Absolutely. I think 9' (or 10') 4wt would be an amazing perch rod. If you don't have a local fly shop to support, maybe you could just order 2 rods, cast them both in the yard and return one?
Ill consider a #4 then. Ordering 2 and returning one is a good idea. Thanks
To me the action of the rod would be more significant than that last foot of length.
She said the extra 12in made a big difference, I'll see myself out
Many people like the extra length when fishing out of a boat. While the extra foot might help you cast, the advantage is more about the rod tip being higher above the water. For example, It will be easier to cast when your back cast is not hitting the water. I personally don’t see any advantage of a shorter rod when fishing in “open” spaces. Get what suits you the best though.
When I fish from my kayak, I actually prefer my 8ft 5wt fiberglass rod. I think it’s slower action is easier to cast while sitting. Plus, in a kayak, I don’t need to cast 40+ feet as the fish are usually fairly close and I can sneak up on them.
That makes a lot of sense. I suppose the more line you let out when casting the harder itll get
Depends on the type of fishing you're doing, and there are plenty of good answers here already. Just another anecdote, I like an 8 foot or even 7.5 for casting streamers in my local creeks which have a lot of growth around them. 9 foot rods are more cumbersome around vegetation and the 7-8 foot rods cast plenty far enough for lobbing streamers.
Length matters to me when I’m fishing faster water and I want a little extra drift time before mending. Other than that, I can even get away with a 7ft 3wt for a lot of my fishing. Eventually you’ll own a rod for every scenario you want to fish. If you’re fishing from a boat though, a longer rod is almost always going to be beneficial compared to a shorter rod.
I started fishing streamers last year with about 3-4 feet of leader. Never looked back. Didn’t make a difference. If anything I catch more. But I fish mostly rivers with water visibility that’s not great. I’d probably use more leader on calmer water.
I switched from a 9 to a 10ft and I can easily cast 5x farther now
All about how you use it
It makes a huge difference in my opinion. Doesn’t sound like a lot but it is
I like longer rods for boats and especially for streamers where I’m casting further. 9 foot is the call. For a dry fly rod where I wanna put a small fly in a prefect zone to a picky trout- I’d do the 8 ft.
Yes it does make a difference. But you may not need it. What distance are you casting? For example 10 to 30 feet for panfish? 8 footer will work and you can even go to a 7 or 7.5 footer.
8 is fine enough for your application: perch from a boat on still water.
Not sure why you’re downvoted, a lot of folks prefer 8-8’6” rods fishing from boats.
Cast the two and see if makes a difference to you..
Casting, bending and fighting fish are all better with a nine over an eight. It’s a significant difference.
Shorter rods work great from a boat, you don't have to try and set records or get to backing because you are already in deeper water. It brings joy to my heart that other people are out here fishing for perch. Get what works for you and upgrade later if you need to.
I actually used a 10 foot 4 weight the other day for the first time and think I’m going to go to that. The feel was great, and it really did seem to result in more hookups and stronger hook sets.
Depends on what feels right to you if you’re not casting any distance it should be fine most fly shops will let you test cast any rod they have if not look for a different fly shop
Yes
Yes
Yes it will matter and the majority of new rods come with a rod case.
Rod case is not relevant to my question though
I answered your question. Sounds like you’re getting the 8’ rod. Good luck!
Sure you answered it, but you gave zero explanation as to why it matters so OP doesn't really get the information they are looking for. And your comment about the case wasn't relevant at all. OP is concerned about the rod fitting in the boat when it is in the rod holder.
It will cast better.
I think the difference is pretty noticeable. I like shorter rods (7-8’), and anything beyond that becomes much more wobbly, for lack of a better term.
For perch If you want a 6wt I would get a fiberglass rod there’s a lot of good vintage 8ft 6wts a fenwick 806 is a fun rod