I pull cranks with the 8' pst's as well, Like "G" says straight out the back, then use 12's and 16's on the sides. The 8's are limber, but I landed some nice fish with them as well. I don't even use the net most the time unless just barely hooked, I just swing them on in, even drum and cats upward of 3lbs or so. I almost considered a trade for the 14's, but like the 8's as pulling rods (work well with my setup) and I'm going to all 16' PST's this fall for rigging I done decided.