0r a steel support girder, some of them rods are pure pigs

ya definitely need to be a beast to cast them
Like Sod said mate, all depends on a number of converging dynamics.
The general rule is;
low reel-13-14 foot
high reel 12-13 foot
Rod choice would depend on what your distance casting is for, fishing or purely casting, technique used and or aimed for and current casting ability.