Punching:

Dobyns Champion 805 Punch

Shimano Castaic 201

20 lb. P-Line Flourocarbon

Fliping/pitching heavey cover:

Dobyns Savvy 735C

Shimano Curado 201e7

16 lb. Toray Flourocarbon (it was on the clearance shelf at my local tackle shop so I'm giving it a try)

Pitching light cover:

Dobyns Champion Extreme 744C

Shimano Curado 201e7

15 lb. P-line Flourocarbon

Pitching & flipping Senkos/Flukes around docks:

Dobyns Champion 733C

Supertuned Shimano Citica 201e w/Curado spool

12 lb. Pline Flourocarbon

How do you like the 805

Dobyns Champion 766C

Shimano Curado 201E7

50 lb Fireline Tracer Braid

Punching:

Dobyns Champion 805 Punch

Shimano Castaic 201

20 lb. P-Line Flourocarbon

Fliping/pitching heavey cover:

Dobyns Savvy 735C

Shimano Curado 201e7

16 lb. Toray Flourocarbon (it was on the clearance shelf at my local tackle shop so I'm giving it a try)

Pitching light cover:

Dobyns Champion Extreme 744C

Shimano Curado 201e7

15 lb. P-line Flourocarbon

Pitching & flipping Senkos/Flukes around docks:

Dobyns Champion 733C

Supertuned Shimano Citica 201e w/Curado spool

12 lb. Pline Flourocarbon

How do you like the 805

I really like it. It is tailor made for 1-1.5 oz weights in the thickest cover a bass would ever live. I also hav experience with the lamiglass 7116 and Abu Garcia vendetta 7'6" mag heavy. The 805 really takes the cake.

why are long rods preferred? do they allow you to pitch farther?

Leverage.

longer rod don't offer more leverage... the fulcrum point is all wrong.... It actually gives the fish more leverage

why are long rods preferred? do they allow you to pitch farther?

Leverage.

longer rod don't offer more leverage... the fulcrum point is all wrong.... It actually gives the fish more leverage

Correct.

Shorter rods give you more leverage.  What you do get with the longer rod is the ability to move more line each time you lift the rod tip.