The main advantage of length is line control across variable current. The main advantage of short rods is accuracy. The reason bass rods are so short is that bass fishermen value accuracy over line control, since there's usually little if any current where they fish. Also, shorter rods are lighter, have a closer center of gravity, and are far more comfortable to cast all day. If you see no advantage to the long rod in your fishing, go short! I bank it more often than not and rarely go with less tham 9 feet.
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If every fisherman would pick up one piece of trash, we'd have cleaner rivers and more access.