Why limit yourself to light weight gear only ?

I have set ups that go from the likes of the century TT ultra light to rods that are closer to pole vaults then fishng rods .

The really heavy rods are good for days when its marginal ( big swells currents or massive snags ) and you have to use heavy line and big leads to keep a bait in the water. Not as much fun but better then not fishing at all .

If conditions allow a lighter set will be used as they are often a lot nicer to fish with .

As for distance . Its just another tool to be used as and when needed . Most of the time the old adage of fish your feet first is totally true . But its not always the case that the ish are in close and being able to cast a bit further gives you more water to explore or you can cast into a head wind and still be in the zone .