You can't be much older than me, I went to 10' ers 2 years ago myself, I wouldn't use a 5 or 6' now unless slow trolling deep water, fishing truman is where I fish and I love them things for dipping trees or fishing the spawn on the banks, can't beat'em....... but you go ahead and be stubborn like I was and my back won't hurt at the end of the day, just don't buy a heavy long rod, that you will reget......