I started out with the 6 foot pool cue and it was drilled into me you can't set too fast. As a result I got to the point of setting too fast and lost a lot of fish due to that and the stiff rod. Over time i finally learned the rod makes a big difference. I think a more forgiving rod helps with the hookset and also holding onto the fish during jumps etc. The length also matters as the longer rod lets you cast farther and do a much better job on figure 8's ( which I am striving to improve) but it also can be a hindrance if you are fishing alone; trying to net the fish with a fish on and a big net in the other hand. For me a 7 1/2 half footer seems to work the best but must be flexible (I fish alone most of the time); you need to find the right rod for you style of fishing. I fish bucktails most of the time because I have a tendency to pull the bait from fish with a surface bait as I often set as soon as I see something and with the bucktail I'll feel the fish. It's hard to get past all the years of training of "you can never set to fast". I wish I had the choice of rods that are out there today years ago as I know I would have caught many more fish. A rod is extremely important and probalbly more important than the bait you are throwing. Keep your hooks sharp!!!!!!!