I have been loving my new 13'6 batson 8wt spey tied into a float rod. I have put it to the test over the past couple of weeks and it has a great bend with some serious power. Yesterday I fished braid on it with a 10lb leader and just held fish in their tracks.LOL It handles the lighter leads well too, I have not gone below 6lb with it but would imagine you could get away with some 5 if you really needed too. For midsized to smaller water I am liking the Raven 14' IM8 rod and the 13'6 raven IM9.