Chrome D,
You get better hook-setting ability with a longer rod, as you are moving more line. I have L Cert Pro 9.5 and 10.5 spinning rods and when switching to the 10.5, I have to be careful not to straighten a hook on the hookset (I set pretty hard and use braid). The 9.5 (I have the X96MS) does have a little more power for fighting big fish, but not much. I prefer the 10.5 for big rivers and for throwing really small jigs and spinners, as it loads with less weight.

Regarding the tip, you have a semantics issue. The tip of a longer rod of similar power is more "sensative" in that it moves more with a tap b/c it's more noodly. B/C the tip moves more, it does not transfer as much of the tap's energy to vibrations. A stiffer tip doesn't move as much, hense more energy is transfered as vibration and it feels more "sensative". I absolutely feel my spinners better with my 9.5 than with my 10.5. That said, the difference in sensativity with braided vs mono, IMHO, is far greater than the difference between my 9.5 and 10.5.