Should I trade/exchange my rod?

I have both the rods you are considering the 8-6XH and the 9XH.  I used the 9XH for a couple of years.  I got the 8-6XH as a backup rod when I damaged (and repaired) one of the guides on the 9XH. 

There is not much difference between these rods.  Either keep the 9XH or trade it for an 8-6XH, but your second rod should be a significantly different rod.  The 8-6XH and 9XH are fine all-around rods, and good salmon rods.  When I started targeting sturgeon and halibut (no joy on either yet) I found them wanting and got a couple (I like to have backups) stout Ugly Stik Tigers.  Now I seem to use the Ugly for almost everything except casting.