Longer rods also help keep the lines out of the trolling motor (such as when you are Pushing jigs). And you have to remember that the shape of the bow of your boat & where you can or have to place your rod holders can render your rod lengths a bit "shorter" (less distance past the bow/trolling motor). My 14' rods, if pointed straight out in front of the boat, are probably only 12' past the bow/tm.

I started with 10' rods, but never really got into Spider Rigging out of my boat. I got some 14' rods and went straight into Pushing jigs (& occasionally cranks) and had 7' & 10' rods in my spread. Got a couple 13' collapsible Buck's and can now run a 4 rod spread alone or 6-8 rod spread w/partner ... out of my two Hi-tek 4rod holders up front & my dual seat setup.



My suggestion for a beginner Spider Rigger is to start with 14' rods, at least 4 of them, and a long handled net. You can get 4 Shimano IX spinning reels fairly cheap, to go on those rods. Before my buddy Chucky's health problems took him off the water, he was a Spider Rigger 99% of the time and he used 14' rods & the Shimano IX reels successfully for many years.