And in similar price range as the TFO offerings...

Sage Launch & the discontinued DS and VPS series have some bargains!
St. Croix Avid
Echo
Winston Ibis has been discontinued and is also a good buy right now.
Albright
And I've probably missed a few...

Lots of choices...

I agree with the selection of an 8 wt. and get a 4 pc! Not a 2 pc! As for reels, I would look at the Teton Tioga or one of the Orvis reels as potential choices in sw reels at reasonable prices. Salt is corrosive and many of the cheaper reels will rust.