Every reply so far is full of good reasoning. I think you will also find that you can cast much farther with light jig heads with a 7' or longer rod. I prefer the light action for the tip feel but with enough backbone to get good hooksets. Longer rods are usually more forgiving when trying to land larger fish as the tip is usually lighter and gives a little more to help prevent tear out's. You will catch more the farther you stay away from them. Fishing a brush pile with a 6' rod is going to have your boat right on top of the fish spooking them out where as a 12' rod allows you to stay back off of them. Same thing jigging brush off the bank or docks. I carry two 12' for dipping, a 7' set up with a curly tail or road runner, a 7' rigged with a slip bobber and a spare 7'6" just in case I wreck one. FWIW have fun!