I fish a float n fly about 80% of the time and like a 7' or longer rod. My favorite rod is a 7' Shimano Soare with a Shimano Stella 2000. I fish a 3/4" round weighted float from 2-6 foot deep with a 1/48 jig since anything bigger will sink the float. #2 rod is a G-LOOMIS 7' GL3 Mag light rod I've been using over 20 years paired with a Revo MGX 20. I fish it with a bigger weighted float and heavier jig. For really long casts I break out the 8.5' ST.CROIX 6WT. FLY ROD that was a blank and I had custom made into a spinning rod. Depending on wind conditions I can make casts close to 50 yards and reach those brush piles planted further out in the lakes I fish that others can't reach. No boats allowed in most of the lakes I fish, some days the long casts make a big difference.