I have a 4wgt 7 ft and 5 wgt 8.5 ft. Caught a LM/Bass - 6lbs on the 4 wgt and kept him in open wtr and had no problem bringing him in. But for distance, wind etc. and depending on what else u may stumble onto while panfishing I prefer my 8.5 5 wgt for all around fishing. The important thing is how well u p[lay the fish and let the rod do the work. My 4wgt is many years old, a Loomis and the one of my 5 wgts is a Lefty Kreh and the other which is my favorite and no longer made, Penn Gold Crown.