I have two flyrods I purchased on clearance from Academy 8 years ago. They have stiff tips and make great crappie rods. Rod length can be very important at times. I once went wade fishing at Lavon with a 9ft rod. I could reach the fish but trying to to unhook a fish while standing in thigh deep water is very difficult.

Being a boat owner, having a longer rod just helps me cover more area on a brushpile or standing timber. With a 10-12' rod, and I'm standing 3' back from the front of the boat, on the trolling motor pedal, I can keep my jig 7-9' out front of the boat. If I had a 6-7' rod, the jig would just be past the trolling motor prop, and we know what can happen when your line gets too close to that prop

As others have stated, it really depends on what style fishing you are doing, and where you are doing it. I have rods from 6' up to 14'...each length has it's intended purpose for me, but then again, I fish many different ways.

There is no "best set-up", but each of us have our preferences.