Peter, a big factor for you is the casting distance you need for the headlands you fish. if distance is paramount, then the reality is you will struggle to find a compromise rod that will be good for a small boat as well as the shore.
The LR88 sorts of bridges that gap to a degree. There are a number of shore based GT rods that are available but these really are specifically shore based rod. I have a Ripple Fisher Inifnity myself which is ten feet long. There are also offerings from Medusa Custom Works, Zenaq and Fisherman which are in the ten feet to 11 feet category.
I have a LR88 myself and while it casts beautifully, there is a noticeable difference between that and what you can achieve with a genuine shore based rod. Of course, you can get away with the LR88 on a small boat whereas the shore based rods would get very unwieldy.
Thanks Brandon,
I'm actually looking for a boat only rod, I'll leave the rocks to the experts. With regard to casting distance, the real issue is to be able to stand a way off a headland so as not to spook fish with the boat (they are not quite as active in the southern climates) and with regard to the bommies, we are often dealing with a two - three metre swell, where the impact zone can extend quite a way out from where you really wan't to place your lure. Sometimes it can be a little hairy trying to get a boat into a reasonable casting position - and even more dangerous when you actually hookup!
I guess what I am really looking for is a rod that maximizes casting distance without becoming a pain to work the lure for a lengthy casting session. It sounds like the LR88 may be a good compromise! I was originally seriously considering an SP80M.
Cheers.
