You're pretty much actually right on the mark, Dave. I'm not convinced at all that there actually are too many guys at all that can fish PE12
effectively. The other big problem is casting - it's like using bloody rope and you lose a heap of distance with it.
Actually, there aren't that many real PE12 rods on the market. A couple of manufacturers label their rods as 12 but 10 is about their real limit. Ripple's only real PE12 offering is the 78XH, a bloody mongrel beast of thing. The 79H is more a PE10 rod. Fisherman actually don't make a PE12 rod - their two heaviest popping rods - the R10 and BG Jack are labelled as PE10 rods but they make a few of the so-called PE12 offerings look like noodles sticks.
if you hook a 50kg GT in the type of location where you get wasted in seconds on PE8, it will do the same to you if you're using PE8 or PE20.
with my small knowledge, PE12 rod is maybe not something everyone can fish with (maybe only for expert like nath - sorry i'm new to forum but by reading previous post you sounds like one of most experienced angler on this forum) i think it will break average angler in to half 
- don't know maybe more knowledgeable people will correct me later on 
is pe8 all round rod the go - something like ripple fisher 79r or carpenter cv79/40?
