I purchased a 9'6" 9wt after only a few in-store waggles and have regretted the purchase.
The extra length adds weight to toward the tip and extra weight in the rod overall makes a dayof many casts exhausting.
I've also owned a 10' 10wt and WHOA you talk about exhausting.
Other than blue water, I can't think of much you can't do just as well with a 9' 8wt.