I got the 18000 to match BLC 83/40 i.e. a fairly heavy duty setup. I got this for LB fishing mainly for big fish in nasty territory. You do feel it casting all day off a boat, but i was chucking the big 200 g carpenter gamma from the rocks at Spirits bay earlier this week,, getting some great distance with the set up.

Was at Pukenui on Monday, had a few casts off the game club wharf - kings not running up the harbour yet? Was only there for an hour on the incoming tho.

I'm using pe6 braid, rated at 87 lb, casts very nicely and i've had no wind knot issues. 130lb mono leader.

I have a saltiga 5000 here but its the "jigging" version,  whats worse is its about to walk out the door with the owner...He had it on a boat I've been looking after, so I took it...had him on for a while last night that I had chased some kids off our property a week ago but looked like nothing had been touched...he was close to tears when he realized all his new gears had vanished. 

thanks guys...im now the proud owner of a stella 10k..... now all i have to do is sit and wait for the new rod to arrive 

Cbro wrote: Thats great news jonny!! sooo what are you going to get for yourself?

Everyone knows you HAVE to get a Tufftackle Brawn!! sorry couldnt help it, This ones for you pierce!