6', 1 piece. If he has a BPS close by, have him look at the Panfish Elite. It comes in 6' or 6'9" in ultralight, one piece. The butt section is shorter than average and it balances a little forward of the reel seat. I haven't used one yet. I got the 6'9" and am going to return it tomorrow for the 6'. Because the butt is so short, it feels more like a 7' rod and an ultralight, 1 piece rod that long just concerns me.