I have 14 and 16 foot rods. Some of the tops have been broke off or sections have broke. Not sure of the length of some of them anymore. I keep a box of tops and guides when camping.
A 16 foot rod with 2 oz. sinker at 12 ft deep will put the baits just at the front of the boat with trolling motor on speed one. Speed 2 will put them under the trolling motor. I can pick them up on the fish finder mounted on the trolling motor. With this set up, no reeling in line, fish are at your face when swung in.