Sportco has been great to deal with!! I've purchased alot of Lamiglas rods over the years from a number of local shops, and hands down they are the best on returns. Bill Herzog works in thier fishing dept. and he knows what its like to be without your fav. stick while the fish are in. He has taken a tip off a NEW cert. pro rod matched to my old butt section and sent me on my way, no questions asked........brother it don't get any better than that! As for the 8.5' rod its up to you, but I mostly fish with 9 or 9.5' rods now. The added leverage and line control of that extra length makes a big difference drift fishing or otherwise. Hey, go give Sportco a shot, and no I don't work for them.........