John maybe look at a moderate action (live bait) rod with a foot more length than your currently using. For cost you can't beat the Lamiglass GLB series for live bait blanks, maybe the GLB1081MH or 1082MH. A reel change maybe, but I'd guess just some of those retrofits I saw in those Abu's at the MSBA meeting a couple weeks back would do the trick. Note also one of those reels had Tectan line which would help also. Tectan must be tied carefully because a good knot ain't easy in the lighter test, but it's very thin line as compared to anything of similar test. Hey I know where you can get a good 10 foot conventional that will throw a nice big fatty a long way with the right reel
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