Hidehunter: I wasn't trying to mislead you on my 5/6. I target large smallies and am lucky enough to have access to water that holds a good number of them. I landed and released many smallies over 5 pounds on this rod...I just wonder if the 7/8 would be overkill. P.S. just remembered I also landed a 9 pound carp this past fall on this rod. It was a good battle but the rod handled it.