I use the 7 fter's as does one of my charter buddies. He's the reason I switched years ago. The 7 fters are much easier to handle and store then the 8 or 9 fters. Also for putting divers/baits etc on the rods the 7 fters are alot easier for most folks and are short enough for most boats to where you don't have to put the rod handle so far forward in the boat to reach the rod tip.