I just bought a 9'6" 8# St. Croix and it is great. I'd get a 9'6" rod of any brand because that extra 6" gives you 10-25 for feet per cast depenbing on how good you are. It also helps with mending.
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They say that the man that gets a Ph.D. is the smart one. But I think that the man that learns how to get paid to fish is the smarter one.