JoeP - u gotta STOP buying those factory rods and move into the world of custom rods.
NOW whose being the woman.
Some of my friends complain about wanting a plugging reel that is under a certain weight and I look at them like - u gotta be kiddig me. Let me break out my postage scale and weight that pig. :P Who cares what it weighs as long as the outfit feels good in your hands.
I'm not attached to any of my rods. Each one has it's good and bad points. If you get one made (or make it yourself) then you will have less things you complain about. In my case I am short so most butts are too long for me where as some of ya are extremely tall the rods could be too short.
9' - 1 oz - 3 oz: I grab my custom Lamiglas GSB 1081M (ld model 2pc - don't like the high frame guides and should change them out). Otherwise I like my factory St Croix Premier 8.5-2pc as my "jetty stick". Allstar 1088 would be hot - trick is to locate one. Rainshadow SW1089 would be an alternative. Go over and see mikecc @ M&D's and he can hook ya up with a nice custom for very reasonable $.