9 ' vs 9'6"

[pescamexicana]

Bowfin, I am 6'1" and I also like the shorter rod, expecially when fishing from a boat or doing a lot of blind casting. I have 11 rods (8wt - 12wt) and 4 of them are under 9'. None of them are over 9'. Hasta pronto, Tom

[dunfly]

My personal preference for boat or kayak fishing the flats is a 9' rod or even shorter. My favorite rod is an 8'8" Scott Heliply. You can get plenty of distance with the 9' rod and get your casts out quicker. Sometimes quick accurate casts are needed to target moving fish. I also find the shorter rods easier to handle when boating the fish.

[dudley]

I use a 10 foot rod in the surf
The extra length is important for holding the line up over the breakers and mending away from the white water

[Chuck S]

I might be tempted to use a longer rod in anything below about a 7 weight but once I get into the heavier weights my arm/shouder says, "no mas!" I actually prefer saltwater rods in that 8 ft to 9 ft range and even when casting with a high beach behind me, a longer rod does little for a back cast while a shorter one allows me to keep line speed up and away from the sea grass!

[Chuck S]

So I spent on a day on Narragansett Bay (RI) with my favorite Captain and after an hour with a Sage RPL+ 9'6" 8wt and a RIO OUtbound line, the arm/shoulder said enough! I moved to the Sage Xi2 9wt with the same line. Of course that rod is lighter but te difference was significant. The 9 foor is the way to go for me. Thanks all for your comments.
DAve

I sold rods for years and watched as many folks found out exactly what you found! Longer does not equal longer casts unless you have superior strength to muscle that rod around late in the day. Shorter and faster works better by far and makes it far easier to keep your back cast up off the water oir out of the dunes.

[wet fly guy]

I like 9'6" or 10' rods for fishing the salt .
All my fishing is from the shore , the longer rod is a plus picking up line.
I fish 9wt and 10 wt. rods.