A longer rod may help with mending but keeping line in the air is casting mechanics,not rod length.Let me also say that my go-to rod for the salt is a Sage 890 RPL and I bought an 896 RPL thinking it would be better but those extra 6in made the rod heavier and put more stress on my wrist.It was noticeably different than the 9 footer so I sold it.I could not carry any more line with the longer rod either.You might want to cast a 9.5 ft rod and see for yourself before you buy.