Goose - I have never fished eels with a quality glass rod so I really can't compare. The only eel fishing I was doing with glass rods were on crappy cheap ones before I was introduced to graphite for eelin'.
With a soft tip, you won't rip off eels when casting. Going to the old general standby Batson/Sabre 1088 series rods, you'll be fine. Sometimes I like to fish a beefier rod with eels and I move to a 1089 which will occasionally rip the hook but I've gotten accustomed to applying as much pressure into the cast without ripping out the eel (I also have a quick thumb brake to stop the spool running over
).
You can't beat the ability to feel what the eel is doing and when a fish hits with a graphite rod. Many people bring that to the next level and fish with braids (I have not yet). I suspect that with a graphite rod and better feeling to the fish you'll be able to adjust your timing on the hookset...
Hope this helps...