brat, I agree with everything said above.
Loomis rods are Rediculously expensive. Another thing is that when Swain's General Store in Sequim, PT, or PA has their rods on sale, all the rods are on sale except for Loomis because Loomis states in there contract with the dealer that the dealer can't sell loomis rods at a sale price or coupon price. Whoever came up with that is real ignorant or just really thinks way to highly of their product. No Pun intended, just think that the sales of Loomis Products could be manage a little better than that BS. Thats why I have a Rainshadow LoL!Oh, I too also catch just as many trout with a short 20 dollar poece of sh*t.

Well, no more of that, on to ur rod, yeah, I would go with a longer rod too. I would try to get something universal that u could use for Steelhead, trout, bass, anything except for salt. That would be a 9 plus foot float rod or noodle rod, prefer noodle in about 2-6 or 2-8, but my 10-20 float rod works great too, but get a hold of a nice lil holdover and wow, what a blast. I use my rod for everything from powerbait to spinners also, but one thing I don't do to much is take it on smaller streams, unless its not that brushy on that bank. Thats the only downfall. Otherwise a longer more limber rod is more fun.

But, all this stuff is all a matter of opinion and were all different from on another and have different opinions, so what ever rod u choose, I hope u have a sh*tload of fun with and tightlines.