LOPAT! I never saw the 18ft regulation. You are right! Wow, I spent the weekend in the French Creek FFO section and never gave it a thought. Although most of the time I am using 12ft or so. I only measure by "longer than my 9 1/2 ft rod, shorter than ..." You get the idea. With my rod being relatively short, going up to 18 ft. seems unlikely. Besides I am really beginning to enjoy fishing some put and takes for some "missed thems."