I'm in need of a bit of advice and I know this is the place to ask. I've got a chance coming this fall to make a trip to Western New York to fish for some of those really BIG Browns that run into the rivers in the fall. I've been told that fish to 20+ pounds are not uncommon and to expect to catch 12 - 18 pounders during the trip.

I've got several very adequate 9 1/2 and 10 foot, 7 wt rods with good reels with excellent drags, plenty of spare spools, etc. Here's my dilemma, should I be considering an 8 wt or am I just fishing for an excuse to buy another rod? My sense is a 9 wt would be too heavy but I'm concerned a 7 wt might be a bit under gunned for a 20 pound fish.

I'm not really looking for specific recommendations on brands or rods. But I'd love to hear your thoughts or experiences working fish in this class and your rod weight preferences.

Thanks in advance.