I usually carry 2 rods in the yak....a 7' St. Croix panfish and a BassPro 10' MicroLite, med light.
By far, the most used rod, is the 10'. Yes, it can be a pain. Line will get wrapped around the rod tip sometimes, but it's a 2 pc rod so I just break 'er down and untangle it. The 7' rod is one piece.
Ten ft lets me cast a LONG way, bring fish around the front of boat, and I miss very few hook sets compared to the 7 footer.