I've been very happy with the 10ft diawa sealine ($60 at the '06 MSBA show), as a matter of fact, its seat holds a 19yr old workhorse 704z.
for plugs I'd go with a 9
I have both, good rods for the $$$
Frasier: Niles, I’ve just had the most marvelous idea for a website! People will post their opinions, cheeky bon mots, and insights, and others will reply in kind!