Coming from a freshwater bass background I've never gotten the hang of the long surf rod handles and like mine a few inches shorter than usual.
How many of you use the long handle when casting plugs and work the plug with the butt between the legs?

Too long a handle tends to get hung up in my jacket or sweatshirt pockets. PIA!

I belive rule of thumb is center of reel seat should be at the center of your palm when butt end is in your armpit. IMHO you should go with what feels comfortable

I like the long handle.Makes throwing plugs a lot easier.Any longer than 27" for me and what Jake said.

I like 24-25" to center of seat.

You want enough handle so that you can rest the butt of your rod at your crotch and reel comfortably. Saves strain on your back when hauling in large plugs and fish for long hours.

For surf rods that is. Sorry, sometimes I forget that there are other types of fishing.

Surf Rods only.
My back is always shot after 5 hours of surf casting.

On the surf rod, long enough to get a good pull with your left hand (if you are right handed) when you cast, then a few inches longer to the butt.

I like 18in to beginning of reel seat. Reel seats typically being about 5 inches. I like the shorter length for fighting fish from my hip. Do most of my retrieving from my hip as well.

12 to 18" seems to be the best for me. What really tires me out is swinging the long butt around your front between casts.

I prefer a shorter butt section so that I can work plugs and fight a fish comfortably from my hip. I have also gone to using shorter rods as well. The combination of a shorter lighter rod and the shorter butt helps my back significantly,

I like to test out the blank first to find the point where after you snap it like you were casting, it doesn't vibrate a heck of a lot. So I just keep changing my hand position until I get a clean feel and then the position is well matched to the blank. Works out to having a shorter butt section too.

19" to the center for me

makes things a little easier while not sacraficing distance

whatever feels comfortable to you

I like a longer butt. Tip heavy rods can get tiring.

"I like big but's and I can't deny..."