Brian,
I am generally on commercial fisheries with a mixed stock but with the carp running to high doubles, during the winter I shall be turning to rivers looking for chub barbel and perch, basically the reason for looking for the longer rod was to gain some closer control of the float and bait when bites were shy without going to the extent of a pole which I am not comfortable with.
I have a wide range of rods from 3.5lbtc carp to ultra fast match rods and several avon and feeder rods albiet a bit long in the tooth!
I have now been able to borrow a friends Abu Suveran 16 / 18 foot rod which was great to use if a little heavy at 18ft although compared with my old split cane and solid glass rods circ 1970's it compares really well! I think I might treat myself to one
TTB
