The heavy action will give you more back bone for a hook set, but you might want to consider the lures you will be primarily using before buying it. What are you going to use it for? Bucktails, topwaters, jerkbaits? From my experience, I like a little more bend in the tip because I feel it casts the bait out farther, and easier. Especially when I'm throwing a larger bucktail, otherwise it feels like I'm using a pool cue. Everyone has their own preference though. As far as length, I like how easy it is to perform a figure 8 with the longer rod, as well as fighting a fish and controling it around the boat. My favorites are in the 7-3 to 8-0 range. You can't go wrong with St. Croix.