Try Ebay for a used brand name rod. There are always deals on heavier 2 piece rods there. The sage RPL, RPL+, RPLX, RPLXi are all great salt water rods in the 8,9,10 wts. They go for about $150. I have an RPL+ and an RPLX I use for stripers on Boston's north shore. These rods are all tip flex and can throw a clouser with sinking line a mile.

You can always get your money back selling it. A brand name rod will hold it's value.

A good reel with a disc drag ia also important for that rare trophy fish. Ebay again......Ross Gunnison 4, 5, or their older saltwater series are all in the $150 range. They are lifetime guaranteed even if you aren't the original owner.

just my 2 cents