A true 'noodle rod' is going to be rated for light line...maybe 6 or 8 lb maximum and have a really soft action....rod bends almost to the cork when a fish is on.
Kinda fun to play them but is pretty tough on the fish and takes a while to get them in...leading to an exhausted fish that is not going to do well if released.
Most of the 10-10.5' rods that you see are going to be rated for heavier line and are designed to fish floats. More muscle than a noodle rod and probably better for the fish if it needs to be released. Less time to bring it in and better condition when you let it go.
I bought a 10.5 6-10 lami at sportco and love it. They redesigned the handle with a counter balance and it feels great. Good float rod and not a bad drift rod. More fun that the fast action drift rods for smaller fish.
You don't need to spend real $ if you are going to use it to float.
Good luck