thanks jim not sure if i will float tube but we do have a 9' pond prowler we are going to get rigged up for fishing. so that may be another factor i can get either rod for the same price and six inches longer is not going to matter a whole lot i dont think so iam probably going to go with the 9'. also next year some time i am going to look into getting a shorter 3-wt so if i need a short rig i will have it.
thanks again for all the comments

bart