Benefit of 10' rod?

[Eddy Merckx]

I'm thinking about getting a new 8 wt. rod. My other SW rods are all 9'. Any significant benefit (or disadvantage) to going with a 10' rod?

[ChemFly]

Do you plan on using the new 10' rod for surf/beach/earth-bound casting, or will you be using it in/on/aboard a boat?..

Many of my friends here in NJ are now using the St. Croix 10' rod for surf casting ala fly. They say it works like a charm. I've yet to give it whirl because I'm too tied up in my kayak these days. However, these guys know their stuff and I tend to trust their judgement. (#$119)

[Eddy Merckx]

Plan on using it everywhere, but thought the greatest benefit would be in the kayak.

[ChemFly]

Everything has its advantages and disadvantages- especially a 10' fly rod.
Let's consider the above when casting from a kayak vs. trolling from a yak with a fly rod, regardless of size:

Trolling is a straight forward (woof!) affair. Rod length has little to do with the effects of dragging 60+ ft of fly line and backing behind a yak, unless of course you plan on using a spey rod for trolling and inwhich case you are trolling for trouble... Trolling off a yak will work with any rod, fly or otherwise, in lengths of 7-10ft. Frankly, the shorter the better, but a 9' fly rod works fine in 99.9% of all trolling situations.

Casting from a kayak, especially when in the operational position, i.e. sitting with your arss on or below the water-line, becomes a more challenging affair. The benefits of a longer wand will help in casting from a sitting position, but only for so long. As some of you might already know, kneeling in a canoe and casting from that postion is far more stable and comfortable when compared to the posterior-prone casting alternative. Casting from the seat, so to speak, creates a whole set of ergonomic effects and challenges, that frankly, have to be figured out by each individual based on his/her ability and the type and stability of kayak they are working with.

OK, regardless of the above, give it a shot and report back toot-sweet!
--127-3- --125-3

[KayakerStan]

Get the 10 footer you'll be happy you did!!!

I've been using a 10ft fly rod from the kayak for many years. My first 10ft fly rod I started using was the 10ft 10wt Gloomis GLX. I used this fly rod from the surf and also from my kayak. When Gloomis stopped making the 10X10 I was very disappointed. I then bought a 9wt 10ft TFO fly rod. Works great I can cast this rod all night/day long. You can even cast big weighted bunker flies up to 14 inched with no problem using the 9wt. I also use a 10ft 6wt TFO fly rod from the kayak when mostly small fish are around.
I usually like to hop off my kayak and fish around the many grassy back bay islands in my area. Some of these islands have very tall grass. The 10ft rod really works great when casting in these types of situations. If your fly fishing the surf using a 10ft fly rod with floating line it just seems so much easier to maintain contact with the fly. There's plenty of advantages I can list. So far I haven't found any disadvantages.

[ChemFly]

Get the 10 footer you'll be happy you did!!!
I usually like to hop off my kayak and fish around the many grassy back bay islands in my area. Some of these islands have very tall grass. The 10ft rod really works great when casting in these types of situations. If your fly fishing the surf using a 10ft fly rod with floating line it just seems so much easier to maintain contact with the fly. There's plenty of advantages I can list. So far I haven't found any disadvantages.

Very sound advise!
Amen Stan...
;)