Longer rods are nice ....but have to take into account : things like Bimini top or hard top , weather or not have enough room to back up when landing fish .
I have 8.5 ' and 9' dipsy rods ....... I have been using 8.5 M ugly stick E- lites on a couple occasions on erie with dipsy....had no issue with popping dipsy with release set lite and landed a 11 lb eye with it..... but there is a chance that a rainbow , salmon(rare) , or big drum ....could be an issue on that rod with a dipsy??.... it was easier to notice the small eyes without dragging them. Personally I like the Okuma duosy rods with the triangle handles