Considering the price you are looking at I would recommend the St Croix Legend Ultra paired with a Sci Angler System 2 10/11 reel. The rod could be either the 8wt or 10 wt and the reel will work for either line weight. Also you might consider the TFO TiCrX series but in the 7 to 9 wt class. The reason I suggest dropping a line weight of the TFO rods is due to the fact that they are faster than the St Croixs and I use the same lines on both makes for saltwater fishing and achieve the same distance and accuracy. For the TFO'sI use the rated Rio Outbound short lines yet on the St Croixs I drop down a line weight. Both rods load great with the 30 foot heads of the Rio lines and cast flawlessly. This is just my $.02 Ron