I use an 8wt.
I don't need it to throw poppers, I need it for the waters that I fish.
I like to fish the weed choked little ponds in my area, spots where bassin' guys fear to go.
When a bass hits a popper in these kind of places you've got to get control immediately. A rod with some backbone will help you turn a fish better then a light rod. If you try to "play" the fish on a light rod, you'll end up with nothing but a ball of weeds on your hook.
I fish for river smallmouth with a light rod, but in the weeds an 8wt is the right tool for the job.
The simpler the outfit, the more skill it takes to manage it, and the more pleasure one gets in his achievements.
--- Horace Kephart