Longer rods take more time and force to "stop".

You'll feel it in your wrist and arm midday with a long rod.

That said, ... most of my work horse rods are 10 ft. My rods over 6wt are mostly 10 ft or at least 9'6"

You see, ... I only fish on one river. I roll cast ALOT and I mend constantly. A long rod helps me to pick up the line too using a variety of techniques to get line up and off the water without a big slurp.

Further, I don't need to scoot and out of the bush to get to my pools, ... the Wardens take care of cutting back the brush and even mowing the grass down.

Conversely, out of a float tube, I use a 8'6" rod as I don't have the leverage to stop a longer rod.