I have a 10, several 12 and just got a 14. My thinking is I definitiely want my longer ones near the trolling motor.

If you are buying, take a look at the Southern Crappie rods. They feel great and you can get replacement tips. Also look at the size of the eyes on any rod. If you want to use a bobber stop as a marker for length of line you have out, they hardly fit through rods with small (micro) eyes.