I really enjoy the shorter rods for many applications. They reduce the fish's leverage advantage, the shorter length helps toss tighter loops (easier to stop a shorter rod on the cast), and they are easier to land fish with out of a float tube, pontoon, canoe, or kayak. I have the Sage Largemouth and Smallmouth models and they have become among my favorite rods. I still use 9 footers when fishing from a boat and making consistently long casts but I also use the shorter rods from a boat also. In addition to the Predator and Mini Mag, consider the Ross Flystik.

The Predator 9wt and Flystik 9wt seem roughly equivalent to the Sage Largemouth rod. The 8-10 Mini Mag is a heavier rod with more beef in the butt section and also a bit more tiring to cast all day.

Anyway, I love the shorter rods as a complement to my 9 footers.