Agree with smooth you control the length by cutting before tying and the short strikes will take care of them selves.
I really don't personally worry about the length as much as some people and have not really had any issues with short strikes that much. I guess if you made it really long then it may become a issue, but I never have and some of mine are pretty long. The only time I have really noticed short strikes was fishing for bass using top water baits and buzz baits. Then I have seen trouble and needed a trailer hook.
Here is one that is kind of long and I have no reservations about using it just as is...
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4...s/DSC00779.jpg
