S-J, I agree with your points and you didn't steer anything wrong, MOF - it was semi-lively debate
... More fish are probably cast beyong then too, that was hammered into me a while ago - believe me. And I've not met many distance pluggers that way outfish a comparably skilled eeler on average (I do think eeling is a little easier).
One of the reasons for my question revolves around a particular spot. It that has a continually changin structure as the tide drops. I want to better take advantage of this spot (and others) by having the ability to cast an eel a little farther than I can now. I'm still working the same 100+ feet from the surfline and not distance casting 400+ feet like some at the canal where getting to the middle or beyond is huge in site casting to those breaking fish (and a lot of fun too)...