long poles

I though my 12' telescoping fiberglass wore my arm out, but that is just rediculous. I got a 16' and 20', I don't think I've ever used them. Don't plan to either, but I got them for $10 each. To answer the your question that started this post; I use 12' bream poles mostly. I also like using my fly rod, when I'm where I can use it. I use my short UL a lot and usually use them when I'm in deep water. At that time I'm also switching back in forth with the 12' jig poles. So,I guess I use it all, hmmm... well a few anyways... happy fish'n... bumpers...

When the bream are bedding in shallow water I use a 10' pole its to hard to try anything longer. The dang trees get in the way

Interesting to me.. Im out here in the north west and don't see those long poles being used. Whats the reason or advantage to using the longer poles? I might learn something here...

I fish Reelfoot in the Spring for Bluegill and have learned to buy an inexpensive 12' composite rod and break two feet off the end.
This makes the tip a little stiffer and you can yank them big gills out from under the Cypress roots.

next time if you know you have a solid hookset give him alittle head, let him think he's ok and then hold on once he feels the line. You'll think you have a grennel on.

I'm an old school cane pole fisherman who graduated to BnM type jigging poles and have found a 10ft Chinese made noodle rod that I ordered a guy online that works wonders for panfishing. It has a lot of flexibility and I've pulled in a few hybrid stripers on it at the reservior fishing for big gills. The balance is very good, handles 2lb test as well as 12lb test.

I fish mostly with a 8.5 foot fly rod or 5.5 foot ultralight rig with spinning reel. I also use a 12' pole in brushy areas.
Whatever tool is needed for the job at hand.