I use only a 6-6 with a 3/8 to 1/2 oz sinker. I have had good days and blanked on others. I would guess that the fish were not where you were fishing, were not in feed mode or did not want your presentation rather than your casting distance. I have caught them in very close and as far as I could huck the grub. I think the prime advantage of a longer rod is not necessarily the distance as most fish are easily within range of a 6-6 or 7 footer, but one of being able to hold the line high up so as not to be snagged by incoming waves. I guess there are times that you'd need to cast "way out" but like I said, I've caught perch "way out" and that was within what I could reach with the 6-6.

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