High-density, uniform-sized and vertically aligned gold nanorods were grown on aluminum substrate by DC electrodeposition into modified porous anodic alumina (PAA) template. Optical reflection measurements using s- and p-polarized light showed strong surface plasmon resonances (SPRs), for both Au/PAA composites and freestanding Au nanorod arrays. By changing the aspect ratio of the Au nanorods, the angle of incidence of the polarized light, and the dielectric environment, it was possible to vary the position and the intensity of the SPR reflection minima in a reproducible and predictable manner. We successfully measured higher order transverse SPR, which proves the formation of highly uniform Au nanorods.