Do the 10' rods make a difference feeling the bite and setting the hook or is it just to reach further out?

Mostly to reach further away from the boat. Since the inception of Livescope, plenty of fishermen have gone to longer rods. Watching fish swim away when the boat is 20' away changed how people fished.
Materials and construction of the rod makes the difference in sensitivity.

Thank you, what I was thinking. I feel bad for the fish with the introduction of live scope. Takes a bit out of the sport in my view. Saving up for it however.

10'ers aren't necessarily considered long rods anymore. They have them now up to 20'. But gotta admit....I stopped at 14'

10 footers are my favorite, handy for fishing creeks with over grown banks, and they cast pretty far also. So far I haven't needed a longer rod.

Right on! I own only 10’ers. I mostly bank fish as well.

I love my 10 ft proangler. Been dragging it around for close to 10 years now. If I am crappie fishing, it is in the mix.

8s or 10s,...thats plenty for us.

The 11’ Jenko is my day to day Rod. This time of year with spooky fish we’re running X15s!

fishing with a long rod can be frustrating , especially in the wind. you get more line wrapping around the top of the pole.,,. if u get a 10 footer, use extra weight above your jig to minimize line wraps until you get used to it.
gradually stepping up with an 8 , or 9, footer can help u get used to it too.
Pro Angler has one of the best 10 footers on the market at a good price. also u can buy replacement top sections if u break one for a reasonable price. A Bucks 10 foot jig pole is a good option also, a little heavier, a little stouter, but great sensitivity,., I usually either grab the bucks, or the pro angler rod for vertical pitching or jigging.
the long poles can be just as sensitive, and in some cases more sensitive than a shorter rod.
heres a test you can do., you hold the rod as you usually would, and have someone VERY lightly tap the tip of the rod, as you close your eyes. have them tap the rod tip lighter and lighter until you cant feel it.
as far as setting the hook, a longer rod gives a mechanical advantage and can improve the angle of the hookset and the force applied. instead of a diagonal angle, you can get a vertical angle more often improving your hook up rate.

Try it in a kayak. Trying to tie on a jig head when the rod is about as long as the boat will make you say bad words.

I’ve always used 12’ rods for crappie fishing and had excellent results. Livescope has taught fisherman so many things that many of us have known for years.

I notice the bass fisherman have all moved offshore because that is where bass spend the majority of the year. Living on the lake I have seen them find every top I have ever put out for crappie.

Things will never be the same……..lol.

All truth right here, make yourself use the longer rods and you will catch a lot more fish. I usually bring six rods when I’m fishing by myself. If one messes up I just pick up a different rod and never miss a best.

I only bring short rods in the boat when the crappie are spawning on or near the bank. Then it’s bass fishing 101.

x2. Had mine 15+ yrs. WOULD STILL have IT. If some low life hadn't STOLE it while i was wade fishn at Lavon. I believe in carma!!!