roym,
For a bit more $$$ you could get the Sustain.. A friend of mine has one on his 8'6" St. Croix and he says he likes it. Now On my 8' Loomis I had a 6500 penn, but that was to heavy and just holding me over till I myself decided what I want to get! I will most likely put a 150 VS on that.
If it's the rod I think you have, go with the Stradic or Sustain. Shimano made some changes to the Stradic...and they aren't have bad! Plus a little cheaper then the Sustain. But the Sustain is pretty nice!
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