Buy the PE 8 rod, they look OK to me, spool up with PE8 then buy 60-80lb trace for chasing small to medium mackerel and lesser trevallies, buy some 130lb trace for chasing smaller GTs around the Islands..and buy some 200lb trace or make twisties for the bigger fish. PE8 is still a fine diameter, its a misconception that you have to fish always to sunset based on your braid strength. I do this multi-purpose thing all the time, you just have to be aware of your drag setting for each application. My PE8 gear is excellent for jigging mackerel, but if I set the drag the same as GT's all I'll get is straight hooks or mackerel lips. Its also easy to re-rig as most of the bustoffs are at the hooks.