Nick,
mate....
I have heard you catch plenty fish!
so i am sure you know what to buy!
Daiwa is great and is full of bling, i have the 4500 maverick for shallow water in Mackay and I am pretty confident i'll catch anything on her...love it! she is great for the faster preferred retrieve for spanish - GT seem to love it too!
hint - you can buy this one as a gift for HER as it comes in nice colours that she will love!
in saying, the stella range, of which i have a few, are quite simply put - smoother!
I have got the 10 000 option and is epic for my PE6 Yamaga Atlas, it was my favourite set up on Nomad!
It really boils down to the jig you are wanting to fishRods work best and give best action when the perfect weighted jig is put on the end....
the action is pretty ordinary when using a 100g jig and an out fit fit for a 450g Doggie jig!
so i'd first look at your jig size and match accordingly....it has worked for me!
don't be scared to fish a 4500 sized reel and rod to match - they can catch big fish as i am sure this forum has plenty posts to back me up!
your short list looks spot on - now go take out your top 10 jigs used in your areas and match accordingly!
tight lines
BOET